Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 21 Jan 2014

1. SYRIA 'TORTURED AND EXECUTED 11,000'

A report by three former war crimes prosecutors on photographs of 11,000 corpses said to be leaked by a Syrian government employee accuses the regime of systematic torture and executions. Most of the bodies appear emaciated and had been beaten or strangled. The authors say there is clear evidence the regime was involved.

Syria 'killed and tortured' 11,000 detainees, say lawyers

2. LORD RENNARD BEGINS LEGAL ACTION

Lord Rennard has begun a legal action that seeks to overturn his suspension from the LIberal Democratic party. The peer was suspended after he refused to apologise to four female activists who accused him of sexual harrasment. Experts say the escalation of the dispute between Rennard and the party may lead to a 'blood bath'.

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Lord Rennard starts legal action against Lib Dem suspension

3. BECKHAM'S PECKHAM MEET WITH DEL BOY

David Beckham is to appear in Only Fools and Horses with Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst. The footballer has recorded a sketch, the first outing for the cockney traders since 2003, for Sport Relief, to be broadcast on 21 March. A photo of the recording shows Beckham chatting to the two in a greasy spoon café.

4. DJOKOVIC OUT OF AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Novak Djokovic the defending Australian Open champion has been knocked out of the tournament by Swiss player Stanislas Wawrinka after a five-set epic in Melbourne. The 28-year-old world number eight triumphed 6-2, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 9-7 in four-and-a-half hours to end the Serbian's 28 match unbeaten run and four year reign in Australia.

5. ARDILES IN HOSPITAL AFTER FALKLANDS CRASH

Former Spurs footballer and manager Ossie Ardiles is hospital in the Falkland Islands after being involved in a car crash. The Argentine World Cup winner was visiting the islands with his former team-mate Ricky Villa to film an documentary for ESPN about the impact of the Falklands War on their football careers. Ardiles was airlifted to hospital in the capital Stanley.

Spurs legend Ardiles airlifted to hospital in Falklands

6. UKRAINE: PRESIDENT WARNS PROTESTERS

Ukraine's president, Viktor Yanukovych, has warned protesters in the capital, Kiev, that they pose a threat to national stability as violent clashes continue with police, who have now been given new powers to tackle the demonstrators by parliament. At least 30 protesters have been arrested and 100 from both sides injured.

7. MOTORWAY PUB TO OPEN DESPITE FEARS

Britain's first 'motorway pub' - the Hope & Champion, a Wetherspoon's inn at a service station by junction 2 on the M40 - is to open, despite fierce criticism from road safety and alcohol campaigners. The manager said it would “serve the local community” but the RAC said only 12% of people backed it.

Britain's first motorway pub slammed as 'deadly temptation'

8. TELEGRAPH EDITOR GALLAGHER LEAVES

Daily Telegraph editor Tony Gallagher has left the paper after almost five years at the helm. The news comes months after the paper appointed a "chief content officer". In a statement Telegraph group said Gallagher was "leaving the company as the business moves to the next phase of its digital transformation".

9. OBAMA SETS DATE TO MEET POPE

President Barack Obama will meet with Pope Francis for the first time on 27 March at the Vatican, the White House has announced. Obama's visit with the leader of the Roman Catholic Church will be part of a larger European trip that the President will take that month.

10. HOT TICKET: HANNAH HOCH DADA COLLAGE

An exhibition of German collage artist Hannah Hoch has opened at the Whitechapel Gallery, London. The show presents over 100 works on paper from her career as a leading member of Berlin's Dada movement to her later abstract collages. "Must-see," says the Evening Standard. Until 23 March.

Whitechapel celebrates collage artist Hannah Hoch - reviews