Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 9 Sep 2012

1. BORIS COMEBACK TALKS REVEALED

Tory MP Zac Goldsmith has held talks with Boris Johnson about a possible parliamentary comeback for the London mayor, reports The Mail On Sunday. Meanwhile, Colonel Bob Stewart MP says he was approached before the summer break to mount a 'stalking horse' leadership bid against David Cameron. He says he dismissed the "silly idea" and told its proponents to "get lost".

Two 'plots' to oust Cameron in favour of Boris revealed

2. BLAIR 'EARNS £620,000 IN THREE HOURS'

Tony Blair was paid £620,000 for three hours work earlier this week, reports The Sunday Times. He was called to arbitrate between tycoon Ivan Glasenberg and Qatar's prime minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, over Glansberg's bid to merge with mining giant Xstrata. Blair successfully resolved the pair's differences during late night talks at Claridge's hotel.

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3. CHILD BRIDE SCANDAL EXPOSED

Undercover reporters have filmed a British Muslim cleric discussing secret marriages involving child brides as young as 12. Reporters for The Sunday Times secretly recorded Mohamed Kassamali, of the Husaini Islamic Centre in Peterborough, saying "Under sharia [law] there is no problem." The Home office announced this weekend it is considering outlawing sharia marriages.

4. TORNADOES WREAK HAVOC IN NYC

Rare tornadoes have struck New York City, causing damage in Brooklyn and Queens. Homes were damaged and debris hurled into the air as winds of up to 110mph hit the two boroughs. The weather delayed play at the US Open tennis tournament, though Britain's Andy Murray still managed to win his semi-final match.

5. ANNECY MURDERS A 'POLITICAL ASSASSINATION'

At least two assassins murdered a British family on holiday and a local French cyclist near Lake Annecy last week, French investigators say. Meanwhile, John O’Connor, a former head of Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad has said the way the killings were carried out points to a political assassination.

Annecy murders ‘were political assassination’ by hit squad

6. PAKISTAN BLASPHEMY GIRL RELEASED

Rimsha Masih, the young Christian girl arrested for blasphemy in Pakistan, has been released from prison after three weeks of incarceration. Masih's head was covered in a hood as she was rushed into a helicopter to be flown to her family. There are fears that Masih, who was arrested on suspicion of burning pages of The Koran, could be targeted by extremists.

7. FOLLOW OBAMA, DAVID TELLS ED

The Labour Party should seek to emulate the example of US president Barack Obama by "looking beyond its traditional supporters", argues David Miliband. Writing in The Observer, Miliband warned his brother Ed that he will not become Prime Minister by disowning New Labour or relying too strongly on working-class voters.

8. NAKED HIRST STATUE FOR DEVON TOWN

Damien Hirst will unveil a 66ft sculpture of a naked, pregnant woman in a seaside town in Devon next month. Councillors in Ilfracombe hope it will attract more tourists to the resort. However, one councillor complained the sculpture is "immoral, disrespectful and tasteless", adding: "Would this be allowed if it was a naked man baring his packed lunch for all to see?"

9. QUEEN'S 'JAMES BOND CORGI' DIES

Monty, the Queen's corgi which appeared in the James Bond sketch during the Olympics opening ceremony, has died. The 13-year-old corgi, who was previously owned by the Queen Mother, was the oldest of the Queen's corgis. Monty was named after Monty Roberts, the American subject of the BBC documentary A Real Horse Whisperer.

10. PISTORIUS GOLD CROWNS PARALYMPICS

Oscar Pistorius set a new record in the T44 400m at the Paralympics. The South African, who had been promoted as the face of the Games, completed the race in 46.68 seconds. Coldplay, Rhianna and Jay-Z are expected to star in Sunday evening's closing ceremony, which will feature a "devastatingly emotional" tribute to the armed forces.