Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 23 Jun 2013

1. MINISTER THREATENED NHS WHISTLEBLOWER

Former health secretary Andrew Lansley threatened to sack a whistleblower who lifted the lid on how the country’s health regulator was failing patients, says the Sunday Times. Lansley wrote to Kay Sheldon last year warning that he was considering her dismissal from the Care Quality Commission board. Another whistleblower tells the Sunday Telegraph he was forced out of a senior post at the NHS watchdog after reporting the findings of its inspections.

2. US SEEKS SNOWDEN EXTRADITION

The White House has contacted Hong Kong calling for the extradition of fugitive Edward Snowden, who leaked details of secret surveillance. A senior official in the Obama administration has told Hong Kong that failure to act soon on the extradition could “complicate relations”. Meanwhile, Snowden has reportedly claimed that US authorities hacked into Chinese mobile phone companies to access millions of private text messages.

3. MPS' £500,000 BUSINESS CLASS BILL

The number of business class flights taken by MPs at the taxpayer’s expense has nearly doubled in a single year, reveals the Sunday Telegraph. New rules introduced in the wake of the 2009 expenses scandal usually oblige MPs to buy economy class tickets but MPs have used a loophole to spend nearly £500,000 of public money on business class tickets over the past three years. Eric Joyce MP has claimed for 208 business-class flights worth £43,410 since May 2010.

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4. FORREST: 'I WILL WED SCHOOLGIRL'

Jailed teacher Jeremy Forrest intends to marry the schoolgirl he abducted, reports the Mail On Sunday. Forrest's sister, Carrie Hanspaul, says the maths tutor told his parents during a prison visit: “I love her and we want to get married.” The schoolgirl has written to Forrest's parents vowing to stand by her former teacher, calling him “wonderful”. Forrest is in the vulnerable prisoner wing at Lewes jail after being sentenced to five-and-a-half years on Friday.

5. UK ECONOMY 'LEAVING INTENSIVE CARE'

The economy is "leaving intensive care" George Osborne will declare this week as he delivers his spending review. The chancellor will outline £11.5bn of Whitehall cuts but also announce investment in infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, and education. He will say Labour “tried to scare the country” over his austerity plans in 2010 but will argue their predictions did not come true.

6. NIGELLA LAWSON 'TO DIVORCE SAATCHI'

Nigella Lawson is preparing to divorce Charles Saatchi, claims the Sunday People. A source tells the paper that Lawson feels “broken and desolate” after photographs were published last weekend of Saatchi grabbing her neck outside an exclusive London restaurant. “Her heart is bleeding right now,” said the source. New photographs have emerged of the row which show Saatchi peering up Lawson's nose.

7. IMMIGRANTS FACE £3,000 BILL TO ENTER UK

Immigrants from India, Pakistan, Nigeria and four other countries in Asia and Africa will be forced to pay a £3,000 cash bond before they can enter Britain. Under an Australian-style pilot scheme to be launched in November, visitors from seven “high risk” countries will forfeit the £3,000 if they overstay in Britain and fail to return to their home countries by the time their visa has expired. The scheme comes as UKIP exploits public fears about immigration.

8. UPSET AS BEGLEY WINS THE VOICE

Andrea Begley has won the final of this year's series of The Voice, beating the bookmaker's favourite Leah McFall. Begley, a partially-sighted 27-year-old from Pomeroy, County Tyrone, said: "I will try my best to put your vote to good use". Her mentor, Danny O'Donoghue, described her as "an inspiration". Birmingham singer Matt Henry finished third. Robbie Williams, Dizzee Rascal and Michael Bublé appeared during the final.

9. PAKISTAN: GUNMEN KILL TOURISTS

Gunmen have killed at least nine foreign tourists after storming a hotel in northern Pakistan, police say. Report suggest five of the tourists are from Ukraine, one is from Russia and three are from China. Their Pakistani tour guide was also killed. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The gunmen fled after the attack, which took place at about 1am on Sunday. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have condemned the killings.

10. LIONS BEAT WALLABIES IN THRILLER

The British and Irish Lions beat Australia 23-21 in a thrilling opening Test win in Brisbane yesterday. The Australians could have snatched a win with a late penalty, but Kurtley Beale missed. Earlier, George North had scored a sensational try, capping a 60-yard run which took him past three opponents. The Wales wing said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. We won and I got my first Lions Test try. It doesn’t get much better than that.”