Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 26 Jun 2015

1. Cameron: EU reform is ‘properly underway’

David Cameron says the “process of reform and renegotiation” of the UK’s EU membership is “properly underway”. The PM addressed EU leaders for ten minutes at a summit dominated by Greek debt. The Guardian reports that the EU referendum will be held sooner than member states could ratify any treaty changes.

2. Mo Farah to stick with coach Salazar

Double Olympic champion Mo Farah has announced that he is to continue working with coach Alberto Salazar, despite recent allegations of doping. Salazar this week issued a lengthy rebuttal of the allegations made in a BBC documentary. None of the claims related to Briton Farah, the world and Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion.

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3. Queen visits Bergen-Belsen, 70 years after it was liberated

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will end a state visit to Germany today by visiting the site of the Bergen-Belsen death camp, 70 years after it was liberated by British troops. The UK’s chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, said the monarch's first visit to a concentration camp would be “relevant and appreciated”.

4. Tesco boss: slowing of UK decline is ‘step in right direction’

Tesco chief Dave Lewis says a 1.3% drop in UK sales for the first quarter of 2015 represents a “step in the right direction” because it shows the decline slowing. Analysts had predicted a slump of between 1.6% and 3% on like-for-like sales for the quarter, following on from a 1.7% decline in the final quarter of 2014.

Tesco gets boost as sales defy expectations ahead of AGM

5. IRA ‘disappeared’: bodies found in Joe Lynskey search

The remains of two bodies have been found on reclaimed bogland in the Irish Republic as police search for the IRA’s ‘disappeared’ victims, who include former monk Joe Lynskey, abducted and murdered in 1972. The dig is taking place at Coghalstown, County Meath, using earth moving equipment.

IRA 'disappeared': bodies found in Joe Lynskey search

6. Man decapitated in France factory attack

A man has been decapitated in an Islamist attack on a gas factory in France. Two men drove into the factory in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier near Lyon at around 10am local time, and there were reports of explosions. A flag with "Islamist inscriptions" was found near the body and one man has been arrested. In Kuwait at least 25 people were killed in a suicide attack on a mosque.

7. Dozens dead in gun attack at Tunisia resort

Dozens of people have been killed in a gun attack on two tourist hotels in Tunisia. Men armed with Kalashnikovs opened fire on tourists outside two hotels in the resort town of Sousse, 85 miles south of Tunis. At least 27 people have been killed, some were shot as they sunbathed or swam in the sea. One gunman was reported to have been killed.

Tunisia beach attack inquest: 30 Britons 'unlawfully killed'

8. Land bought by Greenpeace at Heathrow sold for £1

The Guardian has discovered that a plot of land bought by Greenpeace “slap bang” in the middle of Heathrow's proposed third runway site was quietly sold back to the original landowner for £1 in 2012, although some of the 100,000 Britons who signed up as 'beneficial owners' still believe it is theirs. Celebrities including Emma Thompson joined the scheme in 2009.

9. Avengers star Patrick Macnee dies at age of 93

The actor Patrick Macnee, best known for playing John Steed in the 1960s TV series The Avengers, has died at home in California at the age of 93. Born in London, Macnee went to Eton School. He acted in Henry V opposite Sir Christopher Lee when he was just 11 and first appeared in the West End as a teenager.

Five things you didn't know about Patrick Macnee

10. Briefing: are we facing a new cold war?

Washington has announced that it will be repositioning tanks and heavy weapons in Eastern Europe, in the latest escalation in the simmering conflict between Russia and the US that is threatening a return to the days of the Cold War. The move is meant to reassure Nato's allies that have been unnerved by recent threats from Russia and terrorist groups, says Voice of America News. But the Russian defence ministry said stationing the artillery on its doorstep would be the most aggressive act by the US since the Cold War.

Russia and America: how serious is the threat of a new Cold War?

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