Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 1 Jul 2012

1. PM WILL CONSIDER EU REFERENDUM

David Cameron says he will consider holding a referendum on the UK's relationship with the EU - but not in the immediate future. Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, he acknowledged that Britain's role and status within the EU must have "the full-hearted support of the British people". Nearly 100 Conservative MPs have written to the PM urging him to commit to a referendum.

2. IMMIGRANTS MUST LEARN NATIONAL ANTHEM

A new handbook for immigrants will dictate that they must learn the first verse of the national anthem and key historical facts about Britain before they can become citizens. The guide, drawn up by the Home Secretary, will also state that “historically, the UK is a Christian country” with "no place... for extremism and intolerance".

3. UK DISCUSSED KNIGHTHOOD FOR ASSAD

Tony Blair's government considered asking the Queen to award Syrian dictator President Bashar al-Assad an honorary knighthood in 2002, reveal official papers published in The Sunday Times. The documents also reveal the lengths the Government went to in welcoming Assad during a visit, including Downing Street efforts to boost his “photogenic” wife's profile.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

4. NEW AL-QAEDA PLANE PLOT REVEALED

Al-Qaeda is planning to bomb an American airliner in the run-up to the Olympic Games, claim intelligence sources. It is believed that a Norwegian convert, training at a terror camp in Yemen, is central to the plot. The report follows a speech by MI5 head Jonathan Evans last week, in which he highlighted a flow of European recruits heading to Middle Eastern camps.

5. CABLE TELLS SHAREHOLDERS TO GET A GRIP

Bank shareholders "must get a stronger grip" to end corruption, says Business Secretary Vince Cable. Writing in The Observer, Cable slammed the "incompetence, corruption and greed... endemic in British banking". Meanwhile, four out of five people want rogue bankers prosecuted, according to a new poll by a consumer watchdog.

6. AUSTRALIA IMPLEMENTS CARBON TAX

Australia has introduced a carbon tax after years of bitter political squabbling. The law will force the country's biggest polluters to pay a fixed price of $23 (£15) per tonne of carbon dioxide emitted. Opponents have described it as a "toxic tax" that will cost jobs and raise the cost of living. Australia is the developed world's highest emitter per head of population.

7. BLAIR: 'I'M NOT SUPER RICH'

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has said he is not part of the "super rich", despite reportedly being worth £20m per year. In what his interviewer described as an "exasperated" outburst, Blair said: “This notion that I want to be a billionaire with a yacht; I don’t. I am never going to be part of the super-rich. I have no interest in that at all.”

8. BOYLE DEFENDS TAX ARRANGEMENTS

Comedian Frankie Boyle has rigorously defended his financial affairs after it was alleged he avoided paying nearly £900,000 tax last year. Writing on Twitter, Boyle insisted that he has paid £2.7m in tax since 2007 - just under 40% of his income. "I am certain I pay more tax than most people in show business and the cabinet," he added.

9. MURRAY WINS LATE-NIGHT THRILLER

Andy Murray has reached the fourth round of Wimbledon with a victory over Marcos Baghdatis that finished just after 11pm. The British number one triumphed 7-5 3-6 7-5 6-1 after three hours and 13 minutes of exhilarating tennis. The roof was brought over Centre Court for the match, which had the latest-ever finish at the All England Club.

10. SPAIN V ITALY IN EURO FINAL

Spain face Italy in the final of Euro 2012 this evening with the Spaniards hoping to become the first country to win three major international tournaments in a row. They would also be the first country to retain the European Championship. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli tipped Mario Balotelli to star in the final, saying the striker is surrounded by "great champions".