Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 24 Jun 2014

1. KERRY IN IRAQ AS ISIS ‘SIEZE REFINERY’

US secretary of state John Kerry has arrived in Irbil, in the north of Iraq, to urge the leaders of the autonomous Kurdish region not to turn their back on talks in Baghdad. Meanwhile, the Sunni rebel ISIS group have claimed they have captured the country’s biggest oil refinery after days of heavy fighting.

Iraq picks Fouad Massoum as president in bid to unite nation

2. SISI ACCEPTS EGYPT AL JAZEERA VERDICTS

Egyptian president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi says he will not "interfere" with a court's decision to sentence three Al Jazeera journalists to up to a decade in jail for "endangering national security". The jail terms are deeply embarrassing for the US, and come a day after John Kerry visited Egypt and confirmed the return of US military and economic aid.

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3. CALL TO SACK BLAIR AS MIDDLE EAST ENVOY

A number of former UK ambassadors and serving politicians have written an open letter calling for Tony Blair to be sacked as Middle East peace envoy for the UN, EU, Russia and US. The letter says Blair’s achievements in seven years are “negligible” and he is tainted by association with the Iraq war.

4. EX-INMATES TO SHOW THE QUEEN ‘THE CRUM’

The Queen, in Northern Ireland with Prince Philip for three days, has been shown around Belfast’s notorious Crumlin Road Gaol, now closed, by two ex-inmates: first minister Martin McGuinness and his deputy Peter Robinson. McGuinness praised HRH for her “passionate support” of the peace process.

5. LUIS SUAREZ IN WORLD CUP BITE ROW

England's World Cup campaign ended with a goalless draw against surprise Group D winners Costa Rica. But there was drama in the other game in the group as Uruguay beat ten-man Italy 1-0 to knock them out of the tournament. But it was Luis Suarez who was centre stage after he was accused of biting Italian Giorgio Chiellini.

Signs of hope as England start to rebuild against Costa Rica

6. PUTIN DROPS UKRAINE MILITARY RIGHTS

Russian president Vladimir Putin has asked parliament to revoke the right to military intervention in Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists have been fighting government troops. Putin was granted the right to intervene by parliament in March. Kiev described the move as a "first practical step" towards ending the crisis in the east.

7. ENGLAND LOSE TO SRI LANKA BY ONE BALL

England's cricketers lost a nailbiting second Test to Sri Lanka with one ball to spare. Last man Jimmy Anderson was out to the penultimate ball of the final day after a brave rearguard action almost saved the match. Sri Lanka won the series 1-0 after they drew the first Test in similar circumstances.

8. HACKING: COULSON GUILTY, BROOKS NOT

Rebekah Brooks, the former News International chief executive, has been cleared of all charges against her after a seven-month hacking trial at the Old Bailey. However, David Cameron's former former communications chief, was found guilty of plotting to hack phones while he was editor of the News of the World. Brooks had to be helped from the dock after the verdicts.

Rebekah Brooks cleared of all charges at hacking trial

9. NODDY HOLDER GETS FREEDOM OF WALSALL

Glam rock star Noddy Holder, lead singer of Slade, has said he is “really, really chuffed” with the news he is to be given the Freedom of Walsall. The Merry Xmas Everybody singer, who now lives in Cheshire, says he still thinks of Walsall as home and regularly returns “for a decent curry”.

10. HOT TICKET: OPEN AIR HOBSON'S CHOICE

An open-air production of Hobson's Choice has opened in Regent's Park, London. In 1960s Salford, the daughter of an alcoholic shoe-store owner plots to take control of their lives through marriage and business schemes. "Works a treat," says the Daily Telegraph. Until 12 July.

Hobson's Choice – reviews of 'sparky' open-air theatre