Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 12 May 2013

1. TORY CIVIL WAR OVER EU AND MODERNISATION

As many as 100 Tory MPs are expected to support a Commons motion expressing "regret" that the Queen's Speech failed to include a bill on an EU referendum, reports the Sunday Times. David Cameron has also been warned by his own loyalist MPs that his modernisation programme is “faltering” under right-wing pressure.

2. SHARIF SET FOR PAKISTAN VICTORY

Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif has publicly claimed victory in the country's election. Fourteen years after being overthrown by a military dictator and sent into exile, the man known as the "Lion" has secured a commanding lead in the poll. The turnout was huge but the poll was marred by violence. A bomb blast in Karachi killed 11 people yesterday.

3. SUICIDE BLAMED ON BEDROOM TAX

A grandmother who took her own life by throwing herself in front of a lorry left a suicide note blaming the government's bedroom tax, reports the Sunday People. In the note, Stephanie Bottrill, 53, told her son: “Don’t blame yourself for me ending my life. The only people to blame are the Government.” Days before her death she told neighbours: “I can’t afford to live any more.”

Subscribe to The Week

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

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

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

4. WIGAN WIN FAIRYTALE FA CUP FINAL

Wigan Athletic claimed the first major trophy of their 81-year history thanks to Ben Watson's last-minute winner in yesterday's FA Cup final against Manchester City. "We were playing an incredible side,” said Wigan manager Roberto Martinez at Wembley. “We didn't win by luck - from start to finish it was an incredible performance.”

5. PM AIDE: 'EXPLOIT CHEAP LABOUR'

Lord Young, the prime minister's adviser on enterprise, has told the cabinet that the recession is a good time to exploit cheap labour, reports The Observer. Young argues that “a recession can be an excellent time to start a business”. He adds: “Factors of production such as premises and labour can be cheaper and higher quality, meaning that return on investment can be greater."

6. DEATHS SOAR AFTER A&E CLOSURE

Official figures show a 37% rise in death rates for emergency patients in Newark, Nottinghamshire, where the accident and emergency unit closed two years ago. A spokesman for Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt tells the Mail On Sunday: “We always take changes in mortality data seriously and will look into the case in Newark in more detail.”

7. ROBOT CARS MOVE CLOSER

The government is set to change the rules to allow self-driving cars on Britain’s roads for the first time. The department for transport will allow an Oxford university team to test 'robot cars' on public roads, which could lead to general use of driverless cars on our roads within 20 years. California legalised self-driving cars on public roads last year.

8. WINEHOUSE 'TRIED SUICIDE AT 10'

Amy Winehouse tried to kill herself at the age of 10, according to a biography of the singer. The book claims that Winehouse attempted suicide due to her devastation over her parents' divorce. A friend discovered her foaming at the mouth. She began smoking cannabis at the same age, and self-harming using compasses, razor blades and shards of glass.

9. SMOKING TEST FOR MUMS TO BE

Pregnant women will be asked to take breath tests for carbon monoxide to ensure they are telling the truth about smoking, under controversial new proposals. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says women who fail the test should be referred to “smoking cessation services”. A Royal College of Midwives source tells the Sunday Times the proposal is “ill-judged”.

10. PAUL SCHOLES RETIRES - AGAIN

Manchester United's Paul Scholes has announced his retirement for a second time. The 38-year-old midfielder first ended his career in 2011 but returned to the side months later after admitting he missed playing. Manchester United host Swansea this afternoon, in Sir Alex Ferguson's last ever game in charge at Old Trafford.

Explore More