Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 5 Feb 2013

1. TOP TORIES CALL FOR GAY MARRIAGE BACKING

George Osborne, William Hague and Theresa May joined forces this morning to call for Tories to back gay marriage proposals due for a Commons vote tonight. In a letter to the Daily Telegraph they say allowing gay marriage "is the right thing to do at the right time". As many as half the 305 Tory MPs were expected to vote against, according to some reports.

Tory big guns in last-ditch plea to stop gay marriage revolt

2. SCOTS PLAN FOR 2016 INDEPENDENCE DAY

The Scottish government has drawn up plans for independence assuming a Yes vote in the 2014 referendum, BBC Scotland reports. Following the negotiation of terms with London, Independence Day would be in March 2016. The first elections to an independent parliament would follow in May 2016.

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3. LIVERPOOL NAMED IN MATCH-FIXING PROBE

A Champions League game involving Liverpool in 2009 was last night identified as being among 680 matches in 30 countries being investigated in a match-fixing inquiry by Europol. Liverpool defeated the Hungarian side Debrecen VSC 1-0 in the match. Europol claims to have uncovered an organised crime syndicate that was coordinating the operation.

Liverpool's name dragged into global match-fixing scandal

4. HUHNE'S EX-WIFE WANTED 'REVENGE'

Vicky Pryce, the ex-wife of disgraced cabinet minister Chris Huhne was described in court today as a "manipulative woman" who only revealed to a newspaper that he had lied about a speeding offence in order to get revenge on him after their marriage collapsed in 2010. A jury was told that she wanted to "nail" her former husband.

'Manipulative' ex-wife Vicky Pryce set out to 'nail' Huhne

5. FACE OF RICHARD III REVEALED

Scientists have unveiled a reconstruction of Richard III's face that was made using the skull found buried beneath a Leicester car park. The model, based on a CT scan of the skull, was revealed in a Channel 4 documentary last night. Philippa Langley of the Richard III society said it was hard to reconcile the king's "very handsome" face with his image as a cold-blooded killer.

Revealed after 500 years: the face of King Richard III

6. NEW SNOW AND GALES FORECAST FOR UK

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for the whole of the UK today, with snow or rain and strong winds blasting in from Greenland expected to hit most regions. Two inches of snow are expected in Northern Ireland, Scotland, the North and the Midlands, with as much as a foot over the high ground in the Pennines.

Watch out: Thundersnow is here to rock you, Britain

7. ARGENTINE PLAN TO GET FALKLANDS

The Falklands will be under the control of Argentina within 20 years, the Argentine foreign minister has said. Speaking in London, Hector Timerman said he will confront the UK government with a "diplomatic package" that will see the Islands handed over. Timerman said the dispute over the Islands was a "colonial issue" and the Falklands were "occupied".

Falklands back in our hands in 20 years – Argentine minister

8. 'LAST-CHANCE REHAB' FOR PAUL GASCOIGNE

Former football star Paul 'Gazza' Gascoigne, 45, was admitted to an alcohol treatment centre in the US yesterday in a "last chance" rescue effort reportedly paid for by friends and celebrities including BBC DJ Chris Evans. A spokesman said he had been "extremely touched and overwhelmed by the generous offers of help".

9. TROGGS SINGER REG PRESLEY DIES AT 71

Reg Presley, lead singer of the Sixties pop group The Troggs, died yesterday aged 71 after struggling with lung cancer for a year since collapsing on stage in Germany. The band's Top Ten hits in the 1960s included 'Wild Thing' and 'Love Is All Around', which became a major hit again in the 1990s with a cover by Wet Wet Wet.

Five things you might not know about 'Wild Thing' Reg Presley

10. HOT TICKET: KURT SCHWITTERS AT TATE

A major exhibition of the work of experimental modern artist Kurt Schwitters has opened at the Tate Britain. 'Schwitters in Britain' focuses on his late and often overlooked work after fleeing Nazi Germany for Britain. It includes 150 rarely seen collages, assemblages and sculptures. "Intriguing", says the Daily Telegraph. Until 12 May.

Tate Britain salvages 'sublime' work of Kurt Schwitters

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