Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 12 Aug 2013

1. FRACKING BENEFITS OUTWEIGH RISK - PM

David Cameron has said that people living in the south of England must accept fracking, despite protests in Tory heartlands about the controversial method of extracting shale gas. The PM said it would bring jobs, cheaper energy bills, and windfalls for those living nearby, and cause only "very minor change to the landscape".

2. LABOUR IN TESCO'S MIGRANT WORKER ROW

Labour immigration spokesman Chris Bryant today modified a speech attacking two of Britain's biggest retailers over their use of staff from Eastern Europe. In today's speech Bryant said that Labour had "concerns about immigration" but watered down leaked comments about Tesco and Next, who he had accused of favouring Eastern European workers.

Labour's 'half-baked' ploy to join immigration debate backfires

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3. ASHES: ENGLAND SET AUSTRALIA 299

England have set Australia a target of 299 to win the fourth Ashes Test at Durham. Centurion Ian Bell fell early on the fourth day to Ryan Harris and Matt Prior was out first ball. But Tim Bresnan and Graham Swann launched a counter-attack to take the England lead to almost 300. Harris ended with figures of 7-117.

4. PRINCE 'LOBBYING' IN PRIVATE MEETINGS

Prince Charles has held 36 private meetings with cabinet ministers since the last election, including seven with the PM. Labour MP Paul Flynn accused the heir to the throne of "lobbying", saying he should be "above the maelstrom of politics". Clarence House says Charles has a duty to communicate with the government "on any matter he chooses".

Prince Charles accused of an 'incontinence of lobbying'

5. HEART RISK OF 'COUCH POTATO' CHILDHOOD

A sedentary childhood that sees more young people watching two hours of television a night than doing an hour's exercise risks creating a generation who will die younger than their parents. The British Heart Foundation says cholesterol levels that you would expect in a "stereotypical sedentary truck driver" are now being found in children.

6. GIBRALTAR: PM'S LEGAL 'OPTIONS'

David Cameron is considering options for unprecedented legal action against Spain over the imposition of "politically motivated and disproportionate" border checks with Gibraltar, Downing Street has said. Madrid has increased border controls, leading to delays of several hours for those travelling to and from the territory.

Boris tells Spain to get its hands off 'Gibraltar's throat'

7. SECOND ARREST IN HUNT FOR MISSING TEEN

Police searching for missing 13-year-old Erika Kacicova believe she is still alive, after a second man was arrested in Bradford on suspicion of child abduction. The teenager was last seen leaving her home in Sheffield on 5 August. But police believe a 37-year-old man arrested in Bradford had been in contact with her in the last four days.

8. US CHILD 'IS NOT THE MESSIAH' SAYS JUDGE

A judge in Tennessee has ordered that a seven-month old baby named 'Messiah' have his name changed to Martin. He told the boy's parents that the name was "earned" by one person, and "that one person is Jesus Christ". His mother said: "I think I should be able to name my child what I want."

He's not the Messiah, rules US judge as she renames baby

9. DUTCH PRINCE DIES AFTER SKI ACCIDENT

Dutch Prince Johan Friso has died at the age of 44, after spending almost 18-months in a coma following a skiing accident. The royal was trapped in an avalanche in March 2012 and buried for 15 minutes. He had been treated in London but was moved back to the Netherlands last month, but suffered complications.

10. HOT TICKET: NEW NICK PAYNE PLAY AT DONMAR

Nick Payne's new play, 'Same Deep Water as Me', has opened at the Donmar Warehouse, London. Payne, best known for his award-winning 'Constellations', tackles compensation culture and the unsavoury world of no-win no-fee lawyers. With Daniel Mays. "Sharply observant," says The Guardian. Until 28 September.

Same Deep Water as Me is 'hugely enjoyable' comedy