Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 24 Feb 2012

1. MP CHARGED WITH ASSAULT

Eric Joyce MP has been charged with three counts of common assault and suspended by the Parliamentary Labour Party after a brawl at a House of Commons bar. Tory MP Stuart Andrew was reportedly left bleeding from the nose and suffering concussion after being head-butted during the disturbance.

2. SYRIAN OPPOSITION ASKS TO IMPORT WEAPONS

The UN has accused the Syrian regime of "crimes against humanity", amid claims that snipers targeted children. The main opposition group, now recognised by Britain, has asked an international 'Friends of Syria' meeting in Tunis to let it import weapons. Activists say up to 60 people died in Syria yesterday.

As Syria summit gets underway UN pins hopes on Kofi Annan

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3. LLOYDS POSTS £3.5BN LOSS

Lloyds Banking Group has announced it made a loss of £3.5bn in 2011 after setting aside £3.2bn to cover the cost of mis-selling payment protection insurance (PPI). Lloyds, which made a pre-tax profit of £281m in 2010, said its bonus pool for 2011 was £375m, down 30% against 2010.

Lloyds announces £3.5bn loss as RBS boss defends bonuses

4. DON'T SPEND LONG ON TWITTER, SAYS FOUNDER

Spending too long on Twitter is "unhealthy" - that's the verdict of one of the micro-blogging site's co-founders. Speaking at a conference in Canada, Biz Stone said that briefer visits to the site constitute "a much healthier engagement". He said there are no plans to increase Twitter's 140-character limit.

Too much tweeting is bad for you: how to spot the signs

5. ROWLING PENS NOVEL FOR ADULTS

JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, has signed a deal to publish her first ever novel for adults. Details of the story are being kept secret but Rowling has said it will be "very different" to the Potter series. The release of the book, by Little, Brown, is set to become a major publishing event.

6. PENN DEFENDS FALKLAND COMMENT

After accusing Britain of "ridiculous colonialism" over the Falkland Islands Hollywood actor Sean Penn has defended himself in The Guardian. He claimed that his remarks were exaggerated by the press, or, as he described it, Britain's "transparently corrupt and non-diligent propaganda machine".

Sean Penn attacks 'corrupt' UK press over Falklands scorn

7. DINGO BABY CASE BACK IN COURT

The long-running 'dingo baby' saga is back in court in Australia as the parents of Azaria Chamberlain try to officially establish that a dingo was responsible for their daughter's disappearance. Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton was found guilty of her daughter's murder in 1982, but her conviction was later quashed.

Australia awaits latest verdict in famed 'dingo baby' case

8. 'BACK TO WORK' TSAR QUITS

Emma Harrison has stepped down from her role as the 'back to work' tsar after of fraud allegations were made against her business. Her company, A4e, is at the centre of two police investigations. Harrison said she is stepping down as she did not want her woes to become a "distraction".

Emma Harrison quits, raising more questions about Dave

9. RIOTER ADMITS CROYDON INFERNO

London rioter Gordon Thompson has admitted starting the fire that destroyed a 144-year-old furniture shop in Croydon during the disturbances last summer. He changed his plea midway through a trial at the Old Bailey. The court had heard how he stole a laptop from the store before setting fire to a sofa.

10. HOT TICKET: STAY IN FOR HOMELAND

‘Homeland’ is the latest ‘must see’ TV thriller from the States. It stars Damian Lewis as a US marine returning home after being kidnapped in Iraq, and Claire Danes as the CIA operative who suspects he has been turned by the enemy. “Knuckle-gnawing”, says The Guardian. Episode 2: C4 this Sunday.

Damian Lewis in Homeland: a smarter, darker follow-up to 24