Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 5 Sep 2013

1. SYRIA: PUTIN, OBAMA AT ODDS AS G20 OPENS

President Putin today opened the G20 summit in St Petersburg with an announcement that Syria would be discussed at dinner. Russia and the US remain at loggerheads. President Obama, pressing for action, says: "The international community's credibility is on the line." President Putin says there is still no evidence that Assad was behind the Damascus gas attack.

Obama and Putin set for G20 'collision' over Syria strike

2. SYRIA EXECUTION VIDEO POSES 'DILEMMA'

The emergence of a video showing rebels shooting captured members of the Syrian army in the head will "pose a dilemma" for Western nations considering whether to stage a military intervention, the New York Times says. The video was allegedly smuggled out of Syria by a former rebel.

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3. HUNT CRITICISES ABORTION DECISION

The Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to prosecute two doctors recorded agreeing to terminate a pregnancy based on the gender of the baby. The CPS said it would "not be in the public interest" to proceed to trial, but Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt called the ruling "concerning" and said he is referring it to the attorney general.

Outcry after gender abortion doctors avoid prosecution

4. SAMSUNG LAUNCHES 'ICONIC' SMARTWATCH

Samsung has revealed its first smartwatch - a device that allows the owner to make and receive phone calls, check emails, listen to music and take pictures. The Korean company said the Galaxy Gear "isn't just a cool device" but will become "a new fashion icon around the world". It goes on sale on 25 September.

Samsung smartwatch: the latest thing or a little too 'Dick Tracy'?

5. ARIEL CASTRO: WHY NO SUICIDE WATCH?

Ariel Castro should have been kept on suicide watch, his lawyer has said, after the 53-year-old hanged himself in his prison cell on Tuesday. "There's still an obligation to prevent our inmates from committing suicide," Craig Weintraub said. Castro was jailed for life in July for keeping three young women locked up in his home for a decade.

Ariel Castro suicide: could his death have been prevented?

6. MY CRUSH ON MASTER BY PIPPA MIDDLETON

Pippa Middleton, sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, has put her old hockey master at Marlborough College on the spot by calling him "undeniably fanciable" in an article for The Spectator. Richard Markham, 41, received the accolade just as he starts work as head of another private school. "I am unable to comment on former pupils," he said.

Pippa Middleton reveals crush on 'undeniably fanciable' master

7. TEACHERS PLAN STRIKE BEFORE XMAS

The two biggest teachers' unions say they have plans in place to hold a national strike in England before Christmas. The NUT and NASUWT, who are in dispute over pay, pensions and workloads, have not announced a date for the industrial action and are calling for talks with the government.

8. 'NOT MUCH EVIDENCE' LSD IS BAD FOR YOU

A Norwegian study into the long-term effects of hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD and magic mushrooms has found "no significant associations" between their lifetime use and mental health problems. Contrary to expectations, in several cases, psychedelic use was associated with a lower rate of mental health problems.

LSD and other psychedelics may be good for you, scientists say

9. 'DOZENS' HURT IN KENT BRIDGE PILE-UP

Dozens of people were injured when more than 130 vehicles were involved in a series of crashes in thick fog on the A249 Sheppey crossing in Kent this morning. The BBC says eight of those hurt in the collisions, which took place at about 7.15am, have serious injuries. Police said it was a miracle no-one died.

Sheppey Crossing: 'horrendous' pile-up injures 150 people

10. HOT TICKET: ELTON JOHN BACK ON STAGE

Elton John is back on tour in the UK. He is promoting his new album, The Diving Board, with appearances at Bestival, Isle of Wight and London's Roundhouse (8, 12 September), while his Brit Icon award concert will be broadcast on ITV on 13 September. "Truly great pop," says The Times.

Elton John back on stage to remind us of his 'brilliance'