Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 8 Jul 2012

1. TOP TORIES CALL FOR LORDS REVOLT

Former chancellors Geoffrey Howe and Norman Lamont are the latest Conservatives to publicly oppose the Government's plan to reform the House of Lords. The Tory grandees have signed a letter urging MPs to defy David Cameron's three-line whip and vote against plans to introduce an elected upper chamber.

2. FEDERER WINS WIMBLEDON FINAL

Roger Federer has won a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon title with a four-set victory over Britain’s Andy Murray. Although Murray took the first set, he suffered his fourth Grand Slam defeat thanks to some masterful tennis from Federer who won 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4.

3. MILIBAND CALLS FOR 'CHALLENGER BANKS'

Ed Miliband says the leading high street banks should be forced to sell off hundreds of branches so two new, privately-run "challenger banks" can emerge. Speaking to The Mail On Sunday, the Labour leader also said: "Banking used to be a term of endearment. John Major was a banker. It wasn't an insult, it was a compliment."

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4. HOSPITALS CHARGE FOR NHS SERVICES

Hospitals are asking patients to pay for NHS treatment threatening the "free at point of delivery" principle of the health service. The paid-for treatments are advertised on hospital websites, which refer to them as “self-funding services”. Paying patients are usually those who do not want to wait for treatment or those denied NHS funding.

5. JORDAN MP BRANDISHES GUN ON TV

A politician in Jordan has enlivened a television debate by pulling a gun on his opponent. MP Mohammad Shawabka saw red when his opposite number, activist Mansur Murad, accused him of being “paid by Israel’s secret service" and "a thief”. As well as brandishing a pistol, Shawabka also threw a shoe at Murad.

6. COALITION 'LACKS GAY MARRIAGE MANDATE'

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has questioned whether the Government has a mandate to introduce same-sex marriage. He said he had raised with ministers the fact that the reform had not been included in either the Conservative or Liberal Democrat election manifestos. He conceded that same-sex marriage is now supported by all three main parties.

7. 144 DIE IN RUSSIAN FLOODS

At least 144 people have died during flooding in southern Russia, say officials. Torrential rain led to severe flooding in the Krasnodar region. Residents were taken by surprise because the flooding happened at night and, according to reports, no warnings had been issued. Many of the victims are thought to be elderly people who were asleep as floods struck.

8. BARCLAYS WANTS DIAMOND PAY-OFF CUT

Barclays' bosses are urging former chief executive Bob Diamond not to accept his full pay-off worth up to £17 million. They fear a public relations disasters if Diamond, who resigned over the Libor rate-fixing scandal, took such a vast sum. Senior Barclays figures have met with the Association of British Insurers to discuss reductions to Mr Diamond’s exit package.

9. TERROR SUSPECT CAUGHT AT OLYMPIC PARK

A suspected Al Qaeda terrorist has been caught near the Olympic Park, reports The Sunday Telegraph. He had crossed through the Olympic Park five times. A Home Office lawyer said the man is keen to “re-engage in terrorism-related activities, either in the UK or Somalia”. There have been 14 terrorism-related arrests in Britain this week.

10. THIRD OF BRITS DO NOW KNOW ANTHEM

More than a third of Britons do not know the first line of the national anthem, according to a poll published in The Sun. Researchers asked respondents 10 questions that are believed to be of the style of the Government’s new UK Citizenship Test. Only 10% of respondents answered all 10 questions correctly.