Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 11 Jun 2012

1. BIG MAJORITY WANTS TO VOTE ON EUROPE

An 80% majority of British people favour a referendum on the UK's relationship with the European Union at some point, according to a Populus poll for The Times today - and 50% say there should be a public vote right away without waiting for a solution to the economic crisis. Only 18% do not want a vote.

2. SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS FOR UK

The Environment Agency has issued flood alerts in the Midlands, northern England, and 35 parts of southeast England, and three regions of Wales. Persistent rain is expected across England today, particularly in the southeast. 1,000 people were evacuated over the weekend following flooding in mid-Wales.

UK weather: flood warnings as jet stream brings misery

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3. FRENCH SOCIALISTS TRIUMPH AT THE POLLS

French President Francois Hollande's Socialists were last night headed for victory in the elections for the National Assembly following the first round of voting, according to exit polls. The Socialists tied with the right-wing UMP party on 35% of the vote, but the support of Greens gives them the majority. Run-offs will be held next weekend.

Marion Maréchal-Le Pen poised to make far-right dynasty proud

4. BROWN REJECTS MURDOCH AND SUN CLAIMS

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told the Leveson Inquiry that a phoine call in which he told Rupert Murdoch whe would declare war on his company never happened. He also denied ever giving the Sun permission to publish a story about his son's health, claiming that he and his wife were presented with a fait accompli.

Brown accuses Murdoch of inventing 'war' phone call

5. CAMERON LEAVES DAUGHTER IN THE PUB

David Cameron accidentally left his eight-year-old daughter Nancy in the Plough Inn in Cadsden, Buckinghamshire, after a Sunday lunch with a group of friends yesterday, Downing Street confirmed. The PM discovered Nancy was missing when he returned to Chequers, his weekend home, and drove back to the pub to look for her.

David Cameron leaves 8-year-old daughter behind in pub

6. SPANISH BAILOUT BOOSTS MARKETS

Stock markets around the world opened up today after Spain's E100bn banking bailout at the weekend. However the rallies were shortlived and soon fizzled out, while the interest rates on 10-year Spanish bonds surged to 6% and yields on Italian bonds also rose to more than 6%.

7. NADAL WINS FRENCH OPEN TO MAKE IT SEVEN

Rafael Nadal has beaten world number one Novak Djokovic to lift a record seventh French Open title and crush the Serbian's hopes of holding all four tennis majors. Nadal clinched the match 6-4 6-3 2-6 7-5 this afternoon after play resumed following yesterday's rain delay. Djokovic lost the match by double faulting on Championship point.

8. EURO 2012: ENGLAND DRAW WITH FRANCE

England got their Euro 2012 campaign underway with a well-earned 1-1 draw against Group D favourites France in Donetsk. Joleon Lescott put Roy Hodgson's men in front after 30 minutes when he headed in Steven Gerrard's free kick, but Samir Nasri equalised for France nine minutes later.

England draw with France: good for Roy Hodgson, bad for llamas

9. JAMES CORDEN AND 'ONCE' WIN AT TONYS

James Corden won best actor at the Tony Awards in New York last night for his performance in West End transplant One Man, Two Guvnors, while the musical Once, based on the Irish film set in Dublin, swept the musical categories with best musical, best book for Enda Walsh, best director for John Tiffany, and best leading actor for Steve Kazee.

Tony Awards honours Broadway stars – in pictures

10. HOT TICKET: JULIUS CAESAR IN AFRICA

Gregory Doran’s revival of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar has opened at the RSC. Conspiracy, assassination and revenge are re-imagined in modern Africa with an all-black cast, starring Jeffery Kissoon, Ray Fearon and Paterson Joseph. “Shakes the heart,” says The Times. Until 7 July then London until 22 September.

RSC's all-black Julius Caesar in Africa shakes the heart