Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 9 Jul 2012

1. 70 TORY MPs SIGN UP AS LORDS REBELS

More than 70 Conservative MPs have put their name to a letter expressing their "serious concern" at the coalition's proposals for reforming the House of Lords. Should all of the MPs vote with Labour tomorrow night, the Government will be comfortably defeated in the Commons vote. Meanwhile No 10 has indicated that any PPS's voting with the rebels will be sacked.

Watch out Cameron – Fatty Soames is on the warpath

2. ASSAD SAYS US BACKS 'TERRORISTS'

President Bashar al Assad has accused America of backing "terrorists" and "gangs" to destabilise Syria. He said supporters of his regime far outnumbered its opponents, arguing that the uprising is comprised of "a mixture, an amalgam of al Qaeda [and] other extremists". He also denied the regime was responsible for the Houla massacre.

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Assad accuses United States of backing rebel 'terrorists'

3. BMW TO INVEST £250M IN UK

German carmaker BMW is to invest £250m in its UK plants in order to expand production of the Mini. Three plants in Oxford, Swindon and at Hams Hall near Birmingham will benefit. BMW said the investment showed its commitment to Britain "as a vital manufacturing base".

BMW boosts UK with £250m Mini plant investment

4. WIGGINS EXTENDS TOUR DE FRANCE LEAD

British cyclist Bradley Wiggins has tightened his grip on the Tour de France after winning the ninth stage of the race, a time trial in the Doubs region. The Team Sky rider finished in a time of 51 minutes and 24 seconds to retain the yellow jersey and increase his advantage over second-placed Cadel Evans to one minute and 53 seconds.

Furious Wiggins blasts Twitter over Tour de France drug slurs

5. DEFEATED MURRAY 'I'LL BE BACK'

Wimbledon finalist Andy Murray has vowed to bounce back from his defeat by Roger Federer. "It's hard, it's tough to take, but you need to show strength of character to come back from it," he said. Describing Federer as "one of the greatest athletes of all time", he said of his defeat: "You've got to put it in context a little bit".

Murray will be a champion but Federer rules for now

6. US HEAT-WAVE BLAMED FOR MURDERS

A record-breaking heat-wave in America is being blamed for a spike in murders committed in New York City. Over the past five days there have been 16 murders in the city, approximately twice the normal rate. A councillor described the city as a "brewing cauldron". Meanwhile, at least 36 people have died in America due to the excessive heat.

7. JOHN TERRY TRIAL GETS UNDERWAY

Former England football captain John Terry racially abused an opponent after he was taunted over an alleged affair with a team-mate's ex-girlfriend, a court has heard. The Chelsea player is accused of calling QPR defender Anton Ferdinand a "f****** black c***". His trial at Westminster Magistrates court is expected to last five days.

John Terry denies 'hurtful' racial abuse of Anton Ferdinand

8. FINAL HOSEPIPE BANS LIFTED

The last four water companies in England to have hosepipe bans in place have lifted them following "abnormally heavy rainfall". The move, by South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Veolia Water Central and Veolia Water Southeast, affects six million people. However, Veolia Water Central warned the rainfall does not end "underlying problems caused by the drought".

9. BOE'S LIBOR CONCERNS REVEALED

The Bank of England was in frequent contact with Barclays about how it set the Libor interest rate during the banking crisis in 2008, and Downing Street expressed concerns about the rate, according to a series of emails between civil servant Sir Jeremy Heywood, then principal private secretary to Gordon Brown, and Paul Tucker, then head of markets at the BoE.

10. HOT TICKET: CHEEKY SHAKESPEARE

A revival of one of Shakespeare’s best-known comedies, The Taming of the Shrew, has opened at London’s Globe theatre. Toby Frow directs this “screwball comedy” about an odd couple locked in a battle of the sexes. “A funny, cheeky, continuous delight”, says The Times. Until 13 October.

Globe's Taming of the Shrew is a cheeky screwball delight