Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 13 Jan 2013

1. PM OFTEN 'LEFT OUT OF THE LOOP'

David Cameron's former policy chief says the prime minister often first hears of new government polices as they are announced on radio. Steve Hilton told a US seminar: "You think, well, hang on a second — it’s not just that we didn’t know it was happening, but we don’t even agree with it!" He added: “The bureaucracy masters the politicians".

Has Steve Hilton exposed an omnishambles or his own naivety?

2. LONDON GIRL, 8, SHOT DEAD IN JAMAICA

An eight year old girl from London has been shot dead while holidaying in Jamaica. Imani Green, from Balham, was staying in the coastal town of Duncans with her mother and sister. On Friday evening she was in a store run by her cousin when a man opened fire during an argument. Three others are being treated for injuries.

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3. RAF HELPS FRANCE IN MALI INTERVENTION

An RAF transport plane flew from RAF Brize Norton to Paris today to help the French take armoured vehicles and other equipment to Mali following President Hollande’s decision to support the Mali government against al-Qaeda-backed rebels. Downing Street insists that no British troops will be deployed.

UK plans defence of Falklands as planes are sent to Mali

4. BELLAMY 'SHUNNED OVER CLIMATE CHANGE'

Botanist and former television star David Bellamy says his media career collapsed because he expressed scepticism over climate change. Bellamy, who declared in 2004 that global warming is "poppycock", tells the Independent On Sunday: "All of the work dried up after that... I was shunned. They didn't want to hear the other side."

5. HOSPITALS WARNED OVER STAFF LEVELS

Seventeen NHS hospitals have perilously low staffing levels, reports the Sunday Telegraph. Following inspections last November, the Care Quality Commission warned the hospitals that they do not have enough staff “to keep people safe and meet their health and welfare needs”. Health secretary Jeremy Hunt says there is "no excuse" for inadequate staffing levels.

6. ANOTHER BUS RAPE REPORTED IN INDIA

Less than a month after the brutal gang-rape of Jyoti Singh Pandey led to protests across India, six men in northern Punjab have been arrested following another bus rape. A seventh man is being hunted. The woman was attacked after the driver took the bus to an isolated area on Friday night. The victim is recovering at home.

Six men arrested for second gang-rape on a bus in India

7. ARMSTRONG 'REJECTED DOPING DEAL'

Cyclist Lance Armstrong rejected a deal which would have seen him retain five of his seven Tour de France victories in return for an admission of doping, reports the Sunday Times. The offer, made last summer by the US Anti-Doping Agency, would also have included a promise of a more lenient ban. Armstrong will break his silence in an interview with Oprah Winfrey this week.

8. ARMY CHIEFS PLOT NEW FALKLAND OPTIONS

Military chiefs are preparing new plans to defend the Falkland Islands as tension over the territories escalates, reports the Sunday Telegraph. Further troops, aircraft and another warship could be sent to the region, while a “show of force” of naval exercises in the South Atlantic has also been discussed by the Permanent Joint Headquarters.

UK plans defence of Falklands as planes are sent to Mali

9. POLICE INJURED IN BELFAST RIOTS

Further rioting in Belfast has left 29 police officers injured. A flag protest broke into unrest on Saturday afternoon, when loyalists clashed with nationalists. Bricks, stones and other missiles were thrown at police who responded with six baton rounds and water cannons. The protests are over the decision to fly the union flag at Belfast City Hall only on designated days.

10. WALTERS WOE AS CHELSEA WIN

Chelsea beat Stoke City 4-0 yesterday, with Stoke's Jon Walters enduring a nightmarish 90 minutes. The hapless forward scored two own goals and then missed a late penalty. Elsewhere, Harry Redknapp's QPR put in a sturdy performance to earn a 0-0 draw against his former club Tottenham. Today, Manchester United play Liverpool while Arsenal are at home to Manchester City.

Chelsea keep up pressure on top two with 4-0 win at Stoke