Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 27 Jun 2013

1. THE QUEEN IS AWARDED 5% PAY RISE

There has been a mixed reception to the news that the Queen will receive a multimillion-pound windfall for the second year running after the Crown Estate posted record-breaking profits. The monarch will get £37.89m from the estate next year, a 5% increase on this year’s sovereign grant of £36.1m.

Queen's record profit comes the day after Osborne's big cuts

2. MANDELA 'BETTER', BUT STILL CRITICAL SAYS ZUMA

Nelson Mandela remains in a critical condition in hospital, but South African president Jacob Zuma said the 94-year-old was "much better" than when he had last seen him. Earlier today Zuma cancelled a visit to Mozambique after being briefed on his condition by the surgeon-general. Crowds remain outside the hospital in Pretoria waiting for news.

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Mandela on life-support as priest prays for peaceful end

3. RAIL BOOST IN £100BN INVESTMENT PLAN

The treasury has announced how it will spend £100bn on infrastructure projects. Rail projects will get £30bn of the cash and Treasury minister Danny Alexander told the Commons the initiative is "the most comprehensive, ambitious and long-lasting capital investment plans this country has ever known".

Revolution or con trick? £100bn infrastructure splurge explained

4. 150 COMPLAINTS ABOUT HALL SENTENCE

More than 150 people have complained to the Attorney-General about the leniency of the 15-month sentence imposed on the BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall who this month admitted 14 offences of sexually abusing young girls between 1967 and 1985. A decision on whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal will be made by 15 July.

5. TAX CHEATS COULD GET LIFE SENTENCES

Tax cheats could face life imprisonment under new penalties for fraud proposed today. Conmen who target the vulnerable will also receive stiffer sentences under new guidelines that will take account of the impact of frauds on their victims for the first time. Companies which commit fraud will face multi-million pound fines under the proposals from the Sentencing Council.

6. GANDOLFINI LAID TO REST IN NEW YORK

The funeral of actor James Gandolfini has been held at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City. Many of his co-stars from the hit HBO series, The Sopranos, attended the funeral. The lights of Broadway will be dimmed tonight as a mark of respect for the 51-year-old who died of a heart attack in Rome.

Sopranos stars honour James Gandolfini - pictures

7. OPRAH WINFREY TOPS FORBES CELEB LIST

Oprah Winfrey has regained the crown as Forbes magazine's most powerful celebrity. It is the fifth time the American broadcaster has topped the Celebrity 100 list, which is based on earnings and media exposure. Lady Gaga came second, followed by Steven Spielberg and Beyonce. Last year's number one, Jennifer Lopez, sank to 12th place.

8. LAWSON: 'NO PLANS' TO RETURN TO SAATCHI

Removal men took boxes of belongings from the London home that Nigella Lawson shares with Charles Saatchi yesterday in an apparent signal that the television chef has no plans to return. The team, lead Lawson’s sister, Horatia, carried boxes labelled “kitchen” and “cookbooks”, as well as boxes of children’s toys, clothes and dishes.

9. SERENA SAFELY THROUGH AT WIMBLEDON

Defending Wimbledon women's champion Serena Williams avoided the fate of male counterpart Roger Federer and a host of other top seeds as she made it into the third round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Caroline Garcia. Michael Llodra became the latest player to limp out of the tournament, taking the total number of withdrawals to 11.

Wimbledon opens for Murray: only Djokovic can stop him

10. HOT TICKET: VERMEER ART WITH MUSIC

The National Gallery’s summer exhibition, ‘Vermeer and Music: The Art of Love and Leisure’ has opened to the public. The exhibition displays key works by 17th century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer and his contemporaries along with musical instruments and live music. “Wonderful,” says the BBC. Until 8 September.

Vermeer paintings at National Gallery are 'absolutely sublime'