Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 10 Jun 2014

1. OFSTED: GOVE BLOCKED INSPECTIONS

The head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, says he suggested two years ago that inspectors should start making unannounced visits to schools, only to have his proposal blocked by education secretary Michael Gove. Gove has now proposed the same idea after the alleged Islamist plot to take over Birmingham schools.

Ofsted chief: Gove rejected 'no notice' inspections in 2012

2. RIK MAYALL WIFE: ‘WE DON’T KNOW YET’

Barbara Robbin, widow of comic Rik Mayall who died yesterday at the age of 56, has said she does not yet know what caused the Bottom and Young Ones star’s death. Mayall was one of the founding fathers of alternative comedy, appearing at the Comedy Store in Soho in the 1980s.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Rik Mayall 'died of acute cardiac event after running'

3. SPEEDING DRIVERS COULD BE FINED £10,000

Government proposals to raise the fines magistrates can impose by 300% have been dubbed “draconian” and “disproportionate” by motoring groups who say they could lead to speeding drivers facing £10,000 fines. Justice minister Jeremy Wrights’s proposed increase will be the first for two decades.

Maximum motorway speeding fines set to soar to £10,000

4. CAMERON WARNED OVER JUNCKER 'THREAT

German chancellor Angela Merkel has warned David Cameron not to make "threats" over the possible appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission. All the major British political parties are opposed to Juncker, and Cameron suggested his election could encourage Britain to vote against EU membership in a future referendum.

Cameron defeated as EU backs Jean-Claude Juncker

5. EXTREMISTS SEIZE IRAQI CITY OF MOSUL

Islamic extremists inspired by al-Qaeda have over-run Mosul, the third largest city in Iraq, seizing government buildings and freeing thousands of prisoners. The city is now in control of a group called Isis - the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Prime minister Nouri al-Maliki has requested a state of emergency and has offered to arm residents.

6. PM BACKS PLANS TO TEACH 'BRITISH VALUES'

David Cameron says plans to promote "British values" in schools will have the "overwhelming support" of voters, after they were announced by Education Secretary Michael Gove. The move comes after an investigation into an alleged hard-line Muslim plot to take over schools in Birmingham. Gove said he wanted democracy, mutual respect and tolerance taught.

7. BRAZIL WORLD CUP RAIL WORKER KILLED

A construction worker building an extension to a Sao Paulo monorail which was supposed to open in time for the World Cup has died after being hit by a huge concrete slab. Preparations for the tournament have also been hampered by a strike by subway staff in the city, where the first match will be played.

Sao Paulo violence stokes World Cup protest fears

8. UK ABBEY SHOWS ‘NEW’ REMBRANDT

Eight months of highly technical investigative work are said to have proved beyond all doubt that a supposed self-portrait gifted to the National Trust in 2010 is by Rembrandt. The painting, which had been questioned by experts is now on show in Buckland Abbey in Devon, owned by the Trust.

Rembrandt self-portrait finally confirmed as genuine

9. AINSLIE LEADS BRITISH AMERICA'S CUP BID

Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie has launched Britain's bid to win the 35th America's Cup yacht race. The 37-year-old helped Oracle Team USA win the event last year, but will captain a British team for the next race in 2017. He was joined by the Duchess of Cambridge, a keen sailor, at the launch at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

10. HOT TICKET – GILLIAM CELLINI OPERA

Terry Gilliam's ENO production of Berlioz's Benvenuto Cellini has opened at the Coliseum, London. Inspired by the life of Florentine sculptor Cellini, it follows his struggles to finish a commission for the Vatican and win his beloved from a rival sculptor. "Gloriously fanciful," says The Times. Until 27 June.

Benvenuto Cellini – reviews of Terry Gilliam's 'madcap' opera