Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 12 Jul 2014

1. INQUIRY JUDGE ‘HID BISHOP ABUSE’

The retired judge heading the Westminster child abuse inquiry hid allegations about a bishop in a review of how the Church of England dealt with two paedophile priests because she “cared about the Church”, says The Times. Baroness Butler-Sloss told a victim of alleged abuse that she did not want the claims made public because “the press would love a bishop”.

Inquiry judge hid sex abuse claims against bishop

2. CAMERON ‘TO ADD WOMEN TO CABINET’

David Cameron is set to address his “women problem” when he promotes a series of high-flying female ministers in a government reshuffle next week, forecasts The Independent. Just three of 22 Cabinet posts are currently filled by women. Cameron will add at least two more female faces in what is expected to be the final reshuffle ahead of next year’s general election.

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3. LORD CAREY BACKS ASSISTED DYING

The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey will back assisted dying, he has announced. Writing in the Daily Mail, he says he will support legislation that would make it legal for terminally ill people to receive help to end their lives. A former opponent of assisted dying, he says he has changed his mind "in the face of the reality of needless suffering".

4. GERMANY TO DEMAND US ENDS SPYING

Germany is demanding a public promise from the US to end spying, reports The Guardian. Secretary of state Frank-Walter Steinmeier will meet John Kerry in Vienna this weekend for talks about the Iranian nuclear programme. However, German diplomats say the espionage issue will be the top priority. "Everything is overshadowed by this," said one high-ranking German official.

Germany to demand US commits publicly to end spying

5. HAMAS: ‘WE’LL KIDNAP ISRAELI SOLIDERS’

Hamas says it will kidnap soldiers if Israel launches a ground invasion. The number killed in Gaza has passed 100 and Israel has amassed 33,000 troops and weaponry on its side of the border. Following a telephone call with Barack Obama, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared “no international pressure will prevent us from acting with all power”.

6. STOP BUYING LARGE FRIDGES SAYS GOVT

Stop buying large fridges and televisions – that’s the message to middle-class families from the Department for Energy and Climate Change. A study found that the average family fridge had grown in volume by two fifths since 1985, with the average television growing by more than seven inches since 2004. The government warned that the trend undermined attempts to cut carbon emissions.

7. DRINK OUT, COURTESY IN FOR POLICE

A new code of ethics for the police will require officers to commit to treating the public with “courtesy and respect”. The 10-part code will also advise officers against turning up for work "unfit or impaired for duty as a result of drinking alcohol", using drugs and having sex while on duty. Any officers who breach the code could face disciplinary proceedings and ultimately lose their jobs.

8. 2045: BURSTING CITIES AND SPACE TERROR

In 2045 the world population will reach 10.4bn with more than 70% of people living in crowded urban areas, predicts a new study. In Global Strategic Trends – Out to 2045, a Ministry of Defence think tank also forecasts that 3.6bn people will suffer water shortages and terrorists will have access to cheap, unmanned drones and space satellites.

9. EXPECTANT MUMS BREACH BOOZE RULES

Thousands of expectant mums are drinking too much during their pregnancies, says an investigation from Sky News. Hospital figures suggest that more than 2,000 babies a year are born to mothers who have breached alcohol guidelines, which warn pregnant women against drinking more than four units a week - equivalent to two large glasses of wine.

10. DID CROCODILE CAUSE PLANE CRASH?

A plane crash that killed a pilot and 18 passengers may have been caused by an escaped crocodile, an inquest has heard. The crocodile is believed to have climbed out of a holdall during the flight, frightening an airhostess. Terror then spread through the packed plane as passengers ran towards the cockpit, the hearing was told, with the forward shift of weight causing the jet to nosedive.