Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 20 Jun 2013

1. OSBORNE: LLOYDS TO BE RE-PRIVATISED

Chancellor George Osborne yesterday used his Mansion House speech in the City of London to unveil his plans for state-owned banks. He said the government was “actively considering options for share sales in Lloyds” and investor interest was growing. But he said the time had not yet come for RBS to leave public ownership.

'Hello Jeffrey': Obama mistakes chancellor for R&B singer

2. SOPRANOS STAR JAMES GANDOLFINI DIES

The actor James Gandolfini, best known as Tony Soprano in the eponymous HBO series about a therapy-seeking mob boss, has died at the age of 51. Gandolfini’s agents said the star had been found dead of a suspected heart attack in his Rome hotel after a trip to Sicily for a film festival. Co-stars and others have paid tribute.

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Tributes pour in for Sopranos star James Gandolfini, dead at 51

3. CQC 'COVER-UP': NAMES RELEASED

Former CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower, deputy Jill Finney and media manager Anna Jefferson have been named in relation to an alleged cover-up of an internal review which criticised the watchdog's inspections of hospitals where a number of mothers and babies died. The names were released after pressure from ministers.

Ex CQC boss Cynthia Bower is linked to cover-up of report

4. JAIL SENTENCE FOR DOLCE & GABBANA

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, whose famous D&G logo adorns handbags and designer clothing, have been found guilty of dodging tax on €200m (£171m) of un-declared profits by an Italian court. The pair were handed a 20-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay back taxes of €500,000.

Designers Dolce and Gabbana get jail terms for tax evasion

5. AMANDA KNOX MEETS EX BOYFRIEND

Amanda Knox and former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito hugged and kissed during a "secret meeting" in New York this week, sparking rumours they are back together. The rendezvous came just hours after the pair were ordered to return to Italy to face retrial over the 2007 murder of British student Meredith Kercher in Perugia.

Amanda Knox hugs and kisses ex lover at 'secret meeting'

6. FORREST GUILTY OF CHILD ABDUCTION

Jeremy Forrest, the 30-year-old maths teacher charged with child abduction after taking his 15-year-old pupil to France, has been found guilty. The jury reached its verdict after Judge Michael Lawson spent around an hour-and-a-half summing up the arguments presented by the defence and the prosecution.

Teacher mouths 'I love you' to girl he abducted to France

7. PUSH TO ‘EXPLAIN’ GM CROPS LAUNCHED

The government is launching a new push for public support of Genetically Modified (GM) crops. Environment secretary Owen Paterson will argue in a speech today that he has a duty to “explain” to the public that GM crops would bring significant benefits to farmers, consumers and the environment.

8. MESSI SUMMONED TO APPEAR IN COURT

Lionel Messi is to appear in court in September over allegations of tax fraud, after he and his father were summoned by a judge in Barcelona. The superstar Argentine footballer has been accused, along with his father, of avoiding €4m in tax in Spain by selling his image rights between 2006 and 2009 through companies registered overseas.

Read more: http://auth.theweek.co.uk/football/53728/lionel-messi-tax-fraud-appear-court#ixzz2Wm4bYqCN

Lionel Messi to appear in court over €4m tax fraud allegations

9. TENNIS STAR ‘SORRY’ FOR RAPE REMARKS

Serena Williams has said she is “deeply sorry for what was written” in an article in Rolling Stone which quoted her as making “insensitive and hurtful” remarks about the infamous Steubenville rape case. Williams said she was appalled by “what I supposedly said” and had “reached out” to the family of the victim.

Serena Williams 'sorry' for rape remark in Rolling Stone article

10. HOT TICKET: RADCLIFFE IN INISHMAAN

Martin McDonagh’s black comedy ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ starring Daniel Radcliffe, has opened at the Noel Coward Theatre, London. When a Hollywood film crew arrives in a remote Irish community, outcast Billy sees an opportunity to escape his stifling life. “Disgracefully funny,” says the Daily Telegraph. Until 31 August.

Daniel Radcliffe shines in black comedy Cripple of Inishmaan