Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 21 Apr 2013
- 1. BOSTON SUSPECT WAS QUIZZED BY FBI
- 2. ASHCROFT TO SIGN GIVING PLEDGE
- 3. EXTRA POLICE TO PATROL MARATHON
- 4. VORDERMAN 'TOLD BREASTS TOO SMALL'
- 5. ISRAEL SEEKS TURKISH AIRBASE
- 6. EU SEAL FUR BAN COULD BE LIFTED
- 7. QUEEN 'HAS ATTENDED 30,000 ENGAGEMENTS'
- 8. £13.3BN USMANOV BRITAIN'S RICHEST MAN
- 9. CROWD VIOLENCE MARS MATCH
- 10. UNCONVINCING ARSENAL GO THIRD
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
1. BOSTON SUSPECT WAS QUIZZED BY FBI
One of the brothers suspected of the Boston marathon bombing was questioned by the FBI two years ago but deemed to be no threat. Tamerlan Tsarnaev, killed while trying to flee police on Friday, was interviewed about his ties to “radical Islam”. Police are now waiting to question Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who is under armed guard in hospital.
2. ASHCROFT TO SIGN GIVING PLEDGE
Billionaire Tory peer Lord Ashcroft will pledge at least half of his £1.2bn fortune to charity as he joins the philanthropic movement led by Bill Gates, reports the Sunday Times. Ashcroft will sign up to the Giving Pledge, a public commitment by billionaires to give away the majority of their wealth. He has given the Tory party £10m but will not help to fund its general election campaign.
3. EXTRA POLICE TO PATROL MARATHON
Hundreds of extra police officers will be on duty at the London marathon today following the attack on the Boston marathon. Police say 40% more officers will be on duty than last year, with the extra officers assigned to “reassurance patrols". Among those running in London are 16 people who ran the Boston marathon, including John Darits who was just 100 yards from the blasts.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

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.
4. VORDERMAN 'TOLD BREASTS TOO SMALL'
Carol Vorderman was told by a BBC boss that she would never make it as a television presenter because her breasts were too small. She says that in the 1980s she met a “big boss” and asked to be considered for presenting roles, “And he said, 'Nah, love, your tits aren’t big enough'.” The BBC will investigate the incident and called the executive’s comments “completely unacceptable”.
5. ISRAEL SEEKS TURKISH AIRBASE
Israel may base fighter jets in Turkey ahead of a potential showdown with Iran over its nuclear ambitions, reports the Sunday Times. Following the reconciliation between the two countries, Israel is to offer Turkey advanced missile and surveillance technology in exchange for a base and training facilities at Akinci air base, northwest of Ankara.
6. EU SEAL FUR BAN COULD BE LIFTED
An EU ban on the trade of seal fur and products is expected to be overturned this week, reports the Independent On Sunday. Fur traders and sporrran makers are to appeal against a 2010 ruling banning the trade. The actor Jude Law has written a letter calling for the ban to be upheld, which he says would be "in line with the wishes of compassionate people all around the world".
7. QUEEN 'HAS ATTENDED 30,000 ENGAGEMENTS'
The Queen, who will celebrate her 87th birthday at Windsor Castle today, has carried out more than 30,000 public engagements since her accession in 1952, according to a researcher. Tim O'Donovan, an 81-year-old retired insurance broker from Windsor, used the court circular to come to his estimate. Traditional gun salutes will be fired in London tomorrow to mark her birthday.
8. £13.3BN USMANOV BRITAIN'S RICHEST MAN
The richest man in Britain is now Alisher Usmanov, the part-owner of Arsenal football club, reveals the Sunday Times rich list. The 59-year-old owes his £13.3bn fortune to mobile phone and mining interests. The 25th anniversary list is the most meritocratic to date — a record 773 of the 1,000 members made their own fortunes. There are 88 billionaires, up from 77 last year.
9. CROWD VIOLENCE MARS MATCH
English football was hit by crowd disorder for the third time in seven days as a Kidderminster Harriers player was attacked by a Stockport County fan yesterday. The Conference game was suspended for 28 minutes after fans invaded the pitch and one hit Kidderminster’s Lee Vaughan. Last weekend Millwall fans fought at Wembley and Newcastle fans went on a rampage.
10. UNCONVINCING ARSENAL GO THIRD
Arsenal moved back into third place after an unconvincing win over Fulham. Per Mertesacker's first-half header was enough to separate the sides. Harry Redknapp admits QPR's chances of avoiding relegation are “in tatters” after his side were beaten 2-0 by Stoke City. Today, the battle for a top-four finish hots up as Tottenham face Manchester City and Liverpool host Chelsea.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
Elix, part of Mar-Bella Collection review: a Greek beachside oasis
The Week Recommends This family-friendly resort offers access to a beautiful beach
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
The Indigenous referendum splitting the Australian public
The Explainer The referendum would form a federal body of Aboriginal people in Australia
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Who is Laphonza Butler, California's new senator and champion of labor?
Why Everyone's Talking About Butler has served as the president of pro-choice advocacy group EMILY's List
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Best country to be black'
Today's Newspapers A round-up of the headlines from the UK front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Ten Things You Need to Know Today: 3 October 2023
The Week’s daily digest of the news agenda, published at 8am
By The Week Staff Published
-
10 things you need to know today: October 2, 2023
Daily Briefing Gaetz tries to oust McCarthy, Newsom picks Laphonza Butler to fill Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat, and more
By Harold Maass Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
10 things you need to know today: October 1, 2023
Daily Briefing Government shutdown avoided as Congress passes temporary funding bill, Supreme Court to begin new term as major cases await, and more
By Justin Klawans Published
-
10 things you need to know today: September 29, 2023
Daily Briefing House committee starts Biden impeachment inquiry, court rejects Trump's request to delay civil fraud trial, and more
By Harold Maass Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
10 things you need to know today: September 28, 2023
Daily Briefing Republican rivals clash as absent Trump tries to upstage debate, the Senate approves a formal dress code, and more
By Harold Maass Published