Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 21 Jul 2013

1. TORIES URGE PM TO BREAK UP COALITION

Senior Tories are urging David Cameron to break up the Coalition next year - or risk paying the price at the general election. Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 committee of backbench MPS, and Bernard Jenkin, chair of the Commons public accounts committee, said the Tories need “at least six months” apart from the Lib Dems to win over voters.

2. JAPAN WARNS UK: DON'T LEAVE EU

The Japanese government has warned Britain not to leave the European Union. Toyko has sent a memo to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office stating that Japanese firms invest in the UK because they see it as a gateway to European markets. It warns that as many as 1,300 with British outlets may review their position if the UK does not maintain its “favourable role” in the EU.

3. HS2 TO TEAR UP RURAL ENGLAND

Official documents show that the high-speed rail link between London and the north will directly affect wildlife habitats, ancient woodlands and historic buildings. Hundreds of acres of green-belt land will be lost and more than 1,000 buildings demolished, including a listed 12th century church in Derbyshire. The site of a Roman temple in Notts will be built over.

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4. ISRAEL: PEACE TALKS ARE 'VITAL'

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the resumption of talks with the Palestinians are "a vital and strategic interest" for Israel. Thanking the US secretary of state John Kerry for his “great efforts” in setting up the talks, Netanyahu said he hopes they will be held "in a serious and responsible manner".

5. FLOODS NEXT WEEK WARNS MET

The Met Office is warning that thunderstorms could bring disruption and flooding next week. Temperatures could reach as high as 34C (93F) on Monday before giving way to thunderstorms. The Met Office has issued a 24-hour rain warning for Tuesday and warned that heavy downpours on dry ground could lead to localised flooding.

6. COMEDIAN MEL SMITH DIES AT 60

The comedian Mel Smith, best known for the sketch shows Alas Smith and Jones and Not The Nine O'Clock News, has died of a heart attack. Griff Rhys Jones, who formed an enduring comic partnership with Smith, said: "To everybody who ever met him, Mel was a force for life. He had a relish for it that seemed utterly inexhaustible."

7. TRAYVON RALLIES ACROSS THE US

Rallies have taken place in more than 100 US cities, a week after George Zimmerman was cleared of murdering unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin. Protestors are demanding that federal charges be brought against Zimmerman. Thousands gathered in cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami. Jay-Z and Beyoncé joined the New York protest.

8. US JETS DROP BOMBS ON BARRIER REEF

US jets dropped bombs on the Great Barrier Reef on Tuesday during a training exercise that went wrong. Pilots had been instructed to target a bombing rage on an island but the mission was aborted. Low on fuel, the jets could not land loaded, so the pilots jettisoned the bombs into the water. The US navy says they took take to avoid the coral at the World Heritage Site.

9. BRAND 'SACHSGATE' WAS ANTI-BBC PLOT

Russell Brand says the storm over the answerphone message he left for actor Andrew Sachs was sparked by “a pre-existing agenda in privately owned media to destabilise, attack and diminish the BBC”. When asked by interviewer Kirsty Young whether members of the public who complained were motivated by the same agenda, he said: “Of course they were.”

10. FROOME SETS UP TOUR VICTORY

Britain's Chris Froome is set to win the 100th Tour de France after finishing third in the penultimate stage. The 28-year-old, who has a lead of over five minutes, said: "I can't quite believe I'm sitting here in this position. It really is amazing. I'm a bit lost for words.” Froome will be the second successive winner following Sir Bradley Wiggins's victory 12 months ago.