Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 16 Jun 2012

1. MURDOCH 'PRESSED BLAIR ON IRAQ'

Rupert Murdoch phoned the then Prime Minister Tony Blair, urging him to accelerate British support for the war in Iraq, claims former Number 10 communications chief Alastair Campbell. In the latest instalment of his diaries, Campbell writes that Murdoch joined "over-crude" diplomacy from the Bush administration.

2. HONOURS FOR BRANAGH AND BARLOW

Kenneth Branagh, Kate Winslet and Gary Barlow are among those to receive gongs in the Queen's birthday honours list. Branagh received a knighthood and Winslet a CBE, while Barlow was awarded an OBE. Tessa Jowell, the former Culture Secretary, is made a Dame for her work in support of the Olympic Games.

3. WORLD BRACES FOR GREECE VOTE

Unofficial polls have the two main political parties neck and neck in Greece ahead of tomorrow's crucial election. If an anti-bailout party wins the election it could prompt widespread panic and turmoil throughout the global economy. Greece's second election in six weeks was called after a May 6 poll returned an inconclusive result.

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4. GAY TORY ATTACKS 'INTOLERANT' CHURCH

Openly-gay Cabinet minister Nick Herbert has criticised the "highly judgemental and intolerant" language of the Church of England in its opposition to same-sex marriage. He tells The Times: “I consider myself to be a Christian and I’ve never in my life felt more distant from the Church than I do at the moment.”

5. MILIBAND: CAMERON 'TOO CLOSE TO RICH'

David Cameron is a "tainted Prime Minister" who is too close to the rich and powerful to lead the change Britain needs, Labour leader Ed Miliband will tell supporters today. Referring to Cameron's evidence at Leveson, Miliband will say: "This is a Prime Minister who sent the texts, received the texts, even rode the horse".

6. PRATCHETT SLAMS 'NAZI' IMAGERY OF OPPONENTS

Sir Terry Pratchett says that opponents of assisted suicide spread hysteria by conjuring images of Nazi “gas chambers” and “jackboots”. The novelist, who suffers from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, told a meeting in Switzerland that the stream of UK citizens travelling abroad to end their lives is the “shame of Britain”.

7. JUDICIARY TO RECEIVE AWARENESS TRAINING

Judges are to be given social awareness training to make them more in touch with society. The Judicial College hopes to avoid repeats of the gaffes when judges asked who The Beatles are, who Paul Gascoigne is and whether he played "Rugby or Association" football. A college spokeswoman said: "The whole system can benefit from a combined sharing of experience."

8. MAN CROSSES NIAGARA ON TIGHTROPE

An acrobat has successfully completed a tightrope walk across the Niagara Falls on a two-inch wire. Nik Wallenda, who comes from a family of daredevils known as the 'flying Wallendas', braved wind and heavy spray to perform the stunt. Wallenda, the first to perform this feat, said that "a lot of praying" got him through.

9. EGPYT VOTES FOR PRESIDENT

Egyptians are going to the polls in a two-day 'run-off' election to choose their first freely elected president. Mohammed Mursi, of the Muslim Brotherhood, is up against Ahmed Shafiq, the last prime minister of former President Hosni Mubarak. Some Egyptians who revolted against Mubarak are calling for the poll to be boycotted.

10. WALCOTT STARS AS ENGLAND WIN

England beat Sweden 3-2 in a rollercoaster Euro 2012 tie in Kiev last night. Andy Carroll's first-half header was cancelled out by two Sweden goals early in the second-half. With England trailing, substitute Theo Walcott was introduced. He scored one and set-up another, for Danny Welbeck, to give England the lead.