Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 13 Jun 2012

1. HUNT DENIES LYING TO PARLIAMENT

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has insisted he did not lie to Parliament over his handling of News Corps' proposed takeover of BSkyB. MPs have been debating a Labour motion demanding an investigation into whether he broke the ministerial code. Earlier David Cameron said he had a letter from his adviser that cleared Hunt.

Cameron ruins Labour's Hunt vote with letter from Sir Alex

2. UN: SYRIA IS IN CIVIL WAR

Syria is now in a state of civil war and the government is fighting to regain control of "large chunks" of territory and cities lost to the rebels, Herve Ladsous, the UN's head of peacekeeping, said last night. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused Russia of supplying attack helicopters to the regime.

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Russia 'supplying helicopters' to Syria, UN man declares civil war

3. RUSSIAN AND POLISH FANS CLASH IN WARSAW

Clashes broke out between Russian and Polish football fans in Warsaw yesterday as their national teams drew 1-1 in a Euro 2012 tie. At least 10 people were injured and more than 120 arrested. Polish supporters ambushed Russian rivals during a Russian national day march.

Poland v Russia: gripping football, sickening violence

4. REBEKAH BROOKS APPEARS IN COURT

Rebekah Brooks appeared in the dock for the first time today accused of hindering a police investigation into phone hacking and corruption at News International. She appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court with her husband Charlie and four others. They were bailed until later this month when they will appear at crown court.

5. HOSEPIPE BAN LIFTS AS FLOODWATERS RISE

Anglian Water, Southern Water and Thames Water, the nation's largest supplier with 8.8 million customers, will announce today that hosepipe bans will end tomorrow. The move comes amid floods and forecasts of more torrential rain, which a Thames Water spokesman said had "changed things". Four other bans continue.

6. SALMOND SAYS BANK ACCOUNT HACKED

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has told the Leveson Inquiry that his bank account was accessed by the Observer newspaper in 1999. However, the paper said it was "unable to find any evidence to substantiate his allegation". Salmond also told the inquiry that he approached the Scottish Sun hoping it would back the SNP.

Nick Clegg tells Leveson he respects 'iconoclastic' Murdoch

7. SIN DOES NO HARM TO MALE SPERM COUNT

Claims that smoking, drinking and overeating lead to low sperm counts and male infertility were debunked yesterday in the journal Human Reproduction. Scientists who studied more than 2,000 men at the universities of Manchester and Sheffield found one "lifestyle choice" that did reduce sperm counts – tight underpants.

8. SHAREHOLDERS VOTE DOWN WPP PAY

Shareholders in media group WPP have voted by a majority of 59.5% against the remuneration package of CEO Martin Sorrell at the company's annual meeting in Dublin. Shareholder advisory body Pirc had urged its members to vote against the deal, citing concerns over "excessiveness".

WPP shareholders vote down CEO Martin Sorrell's pay package

9. KIDS' WEBSITE 'RIDDLED WITH SEX TALK'

An investor has pulled out of Sulake, the company behind the children's social networking game Habbo Hotel. Venture capital firm Balderton returned its stake for free after a Channel 4 investigation uncovered "very sexual, perverse, pornographic violent" chats taking place in the game.

Habbo children's website is 'paedophile haven'

10. HOT TICKET: HAYWARD'S VANISHING POINT

'Invisible: Art about the Unseen' has opened at the Hayward Gallery. The exhibition features artworks exploring ideas of the invisible, unknown and hidden by celebrated artists including Andy Warhol, Yves Klein, Maurizio Cattelan and Yoko Ono. "Unexpectedly profound," says The Guardian. Until 5 August.

Hayward's invisible art show offers more than meets the eye