Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 24 Jun 2013

1. NELSON MANDELA CRITICALLY ILL

Nelson Mandela is critically ill in hospital and South Africa's president, Jacob Zuma has called on his countrymen to pray for the apartheid-era hero. Zuma, who visited the 94-year-old in hospital yesterday, said doctors were making Mandela "comfortable", but people needed to have realistic expectations about a recovery.

Nelson Mandela's will divides estate worth £2.5m

2. PM WANTS LAWRENCE 'DIRT' INQUIRY

David Cameron has ordered an immediate investigation into claims made by a former police officer who says he was ordered to infiltrate the Stephen Lawrence campaign to find “dirt” shortly after the 1993 murder. Peter Francis said his superiors put him under "huge and constant pressure" to "hunt for disinformation" about Lawrence and his family.

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'I was told to dig dirt on Stephen Lawrence,' says undercover cop

3. ASSANGE: SNOWDEN IS IN 'SAFE PLACE'

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange says whistleblower Edward Snowden is in a "safe place" and in "high spirits", but would not disclose more details. Snowden did not turn up for a flight from Moscow to Havana today despite rumours he would travel to Cuba en route to Venezuela and Ecuador.

Edward Snowden on the move as US fumes: five key questions

4. BERLUSCONI GETS 7 YEAR JAIL TERM

Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has been handed a 7 year jail term and barred from holding public office after a court in Milan found him guilty of paying for sex with an underage prostitute and abusing the office of Prime Minister. Lawyers acting for the 76-year-old tycoon have already said they will appeal the sentence.

5. BOAT RACE ACTIVIST MUST LEAVE UK

The Australian activist who disrupted the 2012 Oxford v Cambridge boat race in protest against government cuts has been ordered to leave the country, after his application for a visa was refused. Trenton Oldfield says he has appealed against the visa refusal. “It feels to me that this is a very vindictive decision, very political and very much an overreaction,” he said.

Boat Race protester bemoans 'vindictive' expulsion from UK

6. STARBUCKS PAYS FIRST TAX SINCE 2008

Starbucks has handed over £5m to HMRC – its first payment in five years. The chain said it made the move after listening to its customers. “We have now paid £5m and will pay the remaining £5m later this year," said a spokeswoman. Starbucks reportedly paid £8.6m in corporation tax over 14 years and nothing in the last four years - despite sales of £400m last year.

Starbucks 'chooses' to pay tax for first time in five years

7. ARREST IN FRENCH ALPS KILLINGS

A 54-year-old man has been arrested in Surrey in connection with the murders of four people in the French Alps. Saad al-Hilli and his wife Iqbal, from Claygate, Surrey, her mother Suhaila al-Allaf and French cyclist Sylvain Mollier were shot on 5 September last year. The man arrested is thought to be al-Hilli's brother, Zaid.

Police hold Saad al-Hilli's brother over Annecy shootings

8. DARCIS BEATS NADAL TO STUN WIMBLEDON

Belgian Steve Darcis, ranked 135 in the world, stunned Wimbledon with a remarkable straight sets win over French Open champion Rafael Nadal. The Spanish fifth seed, who was beaten in the second round last year, appeared to be struggling with a knee problem and lost 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 in three hours. It was his first ever first round exit at a Grand Slam.

The intelligent punter's guide to Wimbledon 2013

9. PAUL GIAMATTI JOINS DOWNTON ABBEY

Hollywood star Paul Giamatti is joining the cast of TV hit Downton Abbey. The actor - who is best-known for his role in the movie Sideways - will play Cora’s playboy brother, Harold, in the season four finale. He’ll be joined by returning guest-star Shirley MacLaine, who played Cora’s brazen mother, Martha Levinson, in season three.

10. HOT TICKET: MOTOGP GAME BACK ON TRACK

The latest in the ‘MotoGP’ series of motorcycle racing simulation video games has been released in the UK. ‘MotoGP 13’ allows players to experience the action in the 2013 Motorcycle Grand Prix circuit through the eyes of a MotoGP rider via a simulated helmet cam. “Engrossing,” says Nowgamer.

Motorbike racing game back on track with 'meaty' MotoGP 13