Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 5 Sep 2011

Our popular news catch-up service is posted Monday to Friday at 8.0am. You can rely on it to keep you up to date through the working day with the main news talking points. BLAIR IS GODFATHER TO MURDOCH'S DAUGHTERFormer prime minister Tony Blair became a godfather to Grace, Rupert Murdoch's nine-year-old daughter by his third wife, Wendi, when she was baptised on the banks of the River Jordan last March, a News Corp spokesman confirmed last night. His role had remained secret until mentioned by Mrs Murdoch in an upcoming Vogue article. Tony Blair is godfather to Murdoch’s daughter, Grace CAMERON PLEDGES LIBYA RENDITION INQUIRYDavid Cameron says claims MI6 was involved in the rendition of Libyan terror suspects will be investigated by an independent inquiry. The move comes after Abdel Hakim Belhaj, now heading Tripoli's military council, threatened to sue the UK after revelations about its complicity in his 'rendition' to Gaddafi's torture chambers. Crispin Black: MI5 and the Libyans - it's not all the spooks' fault Abdelhakim Belhaj - from enemy to trusted leader 750,000 could die in somalia famineThe UN has warned that up to 750,000 people could die in the Somalian famine and declared a new famine zone in the Bay area of the country. Tens of thousands have already died in East Africa's worst drought for 60 years and 12 million people are in need food aid across the region, says the UN. Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda have also been affected. FORTH BRIDGE PAINTING TO FINISH The painting of Scotland's Forth Bridge (above), famous for being a job that never ends, will finally be completed in December according to its owners, Network Rail. When the contractors finish applying a special type of paint to the structure, it will not need to be repainted for another 25 years. clegg issues warning over free schoolsLib Dem leader Nick Clegg has warned that the government's new free schools must not become the preserve of the "privileged few" and have to succeed in reducing social segregation. He also said they could not be run for a profit in a speech designed to placate the scheme's critics. Opening for business: the new ‘free schools’ BANK BOSSES' PAY HAS RISEN SINCE BAIL-OUTThe bosses of Lloyds and RBS, both bailed out thanks to the British taxpayer, are earning more now than they were before the 2008 banking crisis, according to a report by the independent High Pay Commission. The chief executives earned an average basic salary last year - before bonuses - of more than £1.1m, up from £1m in 2007. Bosses’ pay rises 700 per cent over ten years WOMAN SITS NEXT TO DEAD BOYFRIEND ON PLANEA woman sat next to her dead boyfriend for nine hours on a flight from Singapore to New Zealand after he chocked to death on his in-flight meal. Kiwi Robert Rippingale died an hour-and-a-half into the flight despite the efforts of doctors. When his body was moved to a crew rest area his girlfriend Vanessa Preechakul demanded to sit with him. NADAL collapses with cramp after US open match Rafael Nadal collapsed during a press conference following his victory over David Nalbandian at the US Open. The Spanish tennis star suddenly closed his eyes, grabbed his leg and slid under the desk. Medical staff were called and he was fully recovered within 15 minutes. Nadal said it was just a "normal cramp". Rafael Nadal collapses in US Open press conference AUSTRALIAN BITTEN IN HALF BY KILLER SHARK An Australian in his early 20s died instantly on Sunday in a shark attack as he lost both his legs and was reportedly "bitten in half" while body boarding with friends in the surfer haven of Bunker Bay near Dunsborough in Western Australia. Authorities searching for his attacker said it was the first shark attack there for more than 20 years. CARLA BRUNI WILL 'NEVER SHOW BABY PHOTOS' French first lady Carla Bruni yesterday claimed that she will "protect" the child she is expecting with President Sarkozy from the media glare, saying she "will never show a photo of this child, I will never expose this child". The baby is expected next month, shortly before Sarkozy starts campaigning for re-election.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up