Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 23 Jun 2012

1. TRIBUNAL BACKLOG DENIES HMRC BILLIONS

The state is being denied billions of pounds of potential tax revenue because the government lacks the resources to resolve over 20,000 unresolved tax tribunal cases, reports The Times. HMRC estimates it will take 38 years to clear the backlog at the current rate. Industry insiders say morale at HMRC is at rock-bottom.

2. FLOOD MISERY IN THE NORTH

Several large areas in the north of England have been flooded after torrential rain. Residents in two Lancashire towns have been evacuated. There were 93 flood warnings in place across northern England on Saturday morning. Environment Agency flood risk manager Pete Fox says the situation is "worrisome".

3. QUEEN TO SHAKE IRA MAN'S HAND

The Queen is expected to shake the hand of former IRA commander Martin McGuinness during a two-day visit to Northern Ireland next week. It has yet to be decided if the handshake between the Queen and Northern Ireland deputy first minister McGuinness will be in public. Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the handshake will be a "symbolic and significant step".

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4. CLIVE JAMES: 'I'M NOT DEAD YET'

Clive James says that, despite reports that he is at death's door, he has a lot of living to do. Writing in The Daily Telegraph, he explains that the press acquired a transcript of his contribution to a radio programme, to be broadcast tonight. Arguing they took his words out of context, he declares: "I still have a few years left, I hope, even with my range of ailments".

5. SYRIA SAYS IT DOWNED TURKISH JET

The Syrian government says its military shot down a Turkish plane which it claims was "flying in airspace over Syrian waters". The state-run news agency announced that the F-4 Phantom had been "dealt with in accordance with the laws that govern such situations". Syrian and Turkish coast guards have begun searching for the two crew members.

6. RIO SUMMIT AN 'UTTER FAILURE'

The Rio+20 summit has been deemed “an utter failure” by Friends of the Earth, while the World Wildlife Fund has described its outcome as "pretty bleak". The 50-page declaration signed by over 190 countries at the summit is not as bold as many had hoped. "It’s not as precise or as ambitious as we or many other observers would like," said Nick Clegg.

7. NATWEST CHAOS TO CONTINUE

The technical glitch affecting NatWest and RBS customers will not be resolved until Monday at the earliest, admits the RBS Group. Branches will be open for an extended period on Saturday and many will also open on Sunday to help customers with queries. The glitch has hit as many as 12 million NatWest customers.

8. MARGOYLES IN BBC RACE GAFFE

Actress Miriam Margolyes stunned viewers of The Graham Norton Show when she told singer Will.i.am that she was "fascinated" by him because "I don’t know many black people". She also told him that when she appeared in the musical Wicked "I met a lot of black people and I liked them a lot” and then asked him if he had heard of Jewish people.

9. NO REFERENDUM FOR LORDS REFORM

David Cameron will not hold a referendum on his plans to reform the House of Lords. Under proposals to be announced next week he will reveal plans to introduce elected peers in 2015. He rejected the advice of the parliamentary committee that drew up the proposals to hold a referendum on the legislation.

10. GERMANY SWEEP INTO SEMIS

Germany reached the semi-finals of Euro 2012, sweeping aside a poor Greek side and setting-up a potential showdown with England next week. The Germans won 4-2, with captain Philipp Lahm opening the scoring in the first half. They will now meet the winners of Sunday's quarter-final between England and Spain.