Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 2 Jun 2013
- 1. LOBBY SCANDAL MOVES TO LORDS
- 2. ISLAM CONVERT THREATENS HARRY
- 3. BLAIR DUPED BY CHINESE SPY GROUP
- 4. IS IT TIME FOR FEMALE DR WHO?
- 5. SURGEONS WARN OF A&E 'CRISIS'
- 6. SPURS TELL BALE HE'S GOING NOWHERE
- 7. ARRESTS AS TURKEY UNREST ESCALATES
- 8. WOOLWICH: SECOND MAN CHARGED
- 9. MAIDEN ROCKER LAUNCHES AIRLINE
- 10. BAYERN COMPLETE HISTORIC DOUBLE
1. LOBBY SCANDAL MOVES TO LORDS
Undercover reporters for the Sunday Times have secretly filmed Lord Cunningham and Lord Mackenzie offering to become paid advocates for a firm pushing for new laws to benefit its business. Meanwhile, the Sunday Telegraph reports that Lord Laird offered to arrange for parliamentary questions to be asked in return for a fee of £2,000 a month.
2. ISLAM CONVERT THREATENS HARRY
A white Muslim convert threatened to kill Prince Harry hours after the murder of a soldier in Woolwich. Ashraf Islam, formerly known as Mark Townley, walked into a police station in Hounslow and told officers he wanted to kill the third in line to the throne, who has served in Afghanistan. He has pleaded guilty to charges under the Offences against the Person Act.
3. BLAIR DUPED BY CHINESE SPY GROUP
A Beijing conference at which Tony Blair delivered a speech was hosted by a front organisation for department of the People's Liberation Army that runs psychological warfare and subterfuge operations against foreign leaders. The audience also watched a video message from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Neither man appears to have been aware of the PLA connection.
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4. IS IT TIME FOR FEMALE DR WHO?
Doctor Who star Matt Smith is to leave his role as the Doctor at the end of this year after four years as the Time Lord. The BBC said Smith's "spectacular exit" was yet to be revealed and would be "kept tightly under wraps". There is now speculation that the next Doctor could be a woman. The Sun on Sunday says it could be time for "Doctor Whoman".
5. SURGEONS WARN OF A&E 'CRISIS'
Surgeons are warning of a crisis in A&E as it is revealed that a record number of operations were cancelled in the first three months of the year. Figures from NHS England show more than 220 operations a day were cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice, reports The Observer. Professor Norman Williams of the Royal College of Surgeons says the cancellations are of “deep concern”.
6. SPURS TELL BALE HE'S GOING NOWHERE
Tottenham Hotspur will tell Gareth Bale that he is not for sale at any price when the Wales international returns from holiday in America. Real Madrid are urging Bale to submit a transfer request to try and push through a £60m deal. Real president Fiorentino Pérez said this week that Bale “was born” to play for the club.
7. ARRESTS AS TURKEY UNREST ESCALATES
Turkish police have arrested more than 900 people during two days of protests as parts of Istanbul have turned into a war zone. Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to press ahead with the park redevelopment plans which sparked the violent clashes. He said he will not yield to "wild extremists" but admits that police may have used "excessive" force.
8. WOOLWICH: SECOND MAN CHARGED
Michael Adebolajo has been charged with the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich. Adebolajo, of Romford, Essex, was also charged with the attempted murder of two police officers and possession of a firearm. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday. Michael Adebowale has already been charged with the soldier's murder and appeared in court on Thursday.
9. MAIDEN ROCKER LAUNCHES AIRLINE
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson is launching an airline called Cardiff Aviation. The 54-year-old has completed more than 7,000 hours of flying over the last 20 years. He decided to become a pilot after the band's drummer took him on a flight in the 1980s. “The uncharitable thought did occur to me, if a drummer can learn to fly, anyone can,” Dickinson tells the Sunday Telegraph.
10. BAYERN COMPLETE HISTORIC DOUBLE
Bayern Munich completed a historic treble with a tense 3-2 win over Stuttgart in the German Cup final in Berlin last night. Mario Gomez scored twice in Jupp Heynckes' final game in charge as Bayern became the first German team to win the Bundesliga, the European Cup and the German Cup in the same season. Former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola will take over on 26 June.
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