Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 11 Jul 2014

1. ROYAL MAIL SELL-OFF LOST TAXPAYERS £1BN

A cross-party committee of MPs has said that the government cost the taxpayer as much as £1bn by setting too low a share price when privatising the Royal Mail. The select committee said the government was given bad advice by City advisers. Vince Cable hotly denied the accuracy of the claims.

2. WORLD CUP TICKETS: WHELAN ‘FLEES ARREST’

Ray Whelan, the British boss of Fifa partner organisation Match Hospitality, has fled arrest in Brazil and is considered a “fugitive from justice”, police say. Whelan is alleged to be part of an international gang which earned £52m per tournament for illegal ticket sales at four World Cups.

3. SCHUMACHER 'GETTING BETTER' SAYS WIFE

The wife of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher says his condition is slowly improving, as he recovers from a skiing accident that left him in a coma for six months. The 45-year-old was transferred from hospital in Grenoble last month and is now being cared for at a facility in Lausanne. His wife Corinne told a magazine he was "getting better, slowly".

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4. GERMANY 'RIGHT' TO EXPEL US CIA 'SPY'

Germany says its decision to expel a US CIA employee based in Berlin was "a fitting reaction to the breach of trust", because he acted as a contact for two Germans accused of spying for the US. A German intelligence services employee was arrested last week and an inquiry has begun into a defence ministry worker.

5. HIV VIRUS RETURNS IN ‘CURED’ USA GIRL

An American toddler born with HIV who was hailed as a medical first when she seemed to be clear of the virus after early treatment with powerful drugs is no longer in remission, her doctors say. The four year old has been put back in treatment. Doctors said it was “disappointing” news.

Baby 'cured' of HIV tests positive for the virus

6. WEIGHT SURGERY PLAN FOR DIABETES

The National Institute for Health and Care excellence (Nice) is proposing increasing the number of weight loss operations - in which gastric bands are fitted to reduce appetite - given on the NHS as a means to tackle an epidemic of type two diabetes. It is thought the option could reduce costs.

More obese patients to get NHS weight-loss surgery

7. TEENAGER ADMITS KILLING TEACHER

A teenage student has admitted killing teacher Ann Maguire, who was stabbed to death in a classroom at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds in April. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, admits manslaughter but not murder his defence lawyer told a court. No plea has been entered and he is due to stand trial for murder in November.

Ann Maguire: teenager admits to killing teacher

8. SUAREZ IN £75M BARCELONA TRANSFER

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, currently banned for his infamous bite on an opponent during the World Cup, is to join Barcelona in a £75m deal. The Uruguayan, who arrived at Anfield three-and-a-half years ago has signed a five-year contract with the Spanish club, but will not be able to play for them until October.

9. GEORGE CLOONEY REJECTS MAIL APOLOGY

Hollywood actor George Clooney has rejected an apology from the Daily Mail over a story claiming that his fiancee's Lebanese mother objected to their marriage. Earlier this week the paper said sorry for running the story but denied it was fabricated. Clooney, responding in USA Today, said the Mail "knew the story in question was false and printed it anyway".

10. HOT TICKET: 12-YEAR DRAMA BOYHOOD

Richard Linklater's new drama Boyhood, opens in UK cinemas today. Filmed over 12 years, it tells the story of a boy's life from age six to 18, as he becomes man and faces life's challenges. With Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette. "An astonishing achievement," says The Guardian.

Boyhood – reviews of Richard Linklater's 'astonishing' drama