Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 31 May 2015

1. PRINCE WILLIAM SPEAKS OUT ON FIFA

Prince William has urged world football governing body Fifa to "show that it can represent the interests of fair play and put the sport first". The Duke of Cambridge, who is the president of the FA, said: "I have no doubt that when Fifa reforms, its mission to spread the benefits of the game to more people, especially those in developing countries, can only be enhanced."

2. NICK CLEGG IS BANNED FROM RUSSIA

Nick Clegg has been banned from Russia, according to a government blacklist. The former leader of the Liberal Democrats’ visa has been revoked by the Russian Federation, along with those of 88 other politicians and military leaders from across Europe. The Foreign Office condemned the list, saying it has “no legal basis” and “no justification”.

3. REFER TO GOD AS ‘SHE’, URGES GROUP

Women in the Church of England have held discussions about referring to God as “She”. A campaign group is challenging the use of exclusively male terminology and imagery to describe God in the Lord’s Prayer, hymns, art and the language of church services. A spokeswoman said: “When we use only male language for God we… suggest that men are therefore more like God than women.”

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4. HAWKINGS’ FEARS OVER EDUCATION CUTS

Stephen Hawking fears that government cuts pose a threat for disabled students. The world-renowned physicist says he fears someone with his severe disabilities would not be given the help and opportunity to succeed today because of financial pressures on universities. Hawking’s comments appear were been driven by news of further cuts in public spending.

5. CBI: ECONOMIC GROWTH ACCELERATING

Economic growth is accelerating, says the Confederation of British Industry. Announcing research that suggests business activity increased markedly in the three months to May, Rain Newton-Smith, the CBI's director of economics, said growth had "cranked up several gears". Earlier this month the CBI urged businesses to "speak out early" in favour of remaining in a reformed EU.

6. BRITAIN ‘RISKS ‘NAZI ECHO’ ON RIGHTS

A UN representative claims Britain risks going down the path of Nazi Germany if David Cameron withdraws from the European convention on human rights. “We have to remember the 1930s and how the rights of the Jews were restricted in Germany and then the rights of the whole German people,” said professor François Crépeau, special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants.

7. NHS EXPERT WARNS ON FERTILITY

A leading NHS fertility specialist is warning women: start trying for a baby before you’re 30 – or risk never having children. Consultant gynaecologist Professor Geeta Nargund is also demanding that teenagers are taught about the dangers of delaying parenthood, because of the mounting cost to the taxpayer of IVF for women in their late 30s and 40s.

8. EX CIVIL SERVICE HEAD TO SLAM GOVT

The former head of the civil service is to denounce the government’s flagship plan to extend the “right to buy” to 1.3m housing association tenants, reports The Observer. Lord Kerslake (formerly Sir Bob Kerslake), will say it is wrong in principle and practice and will not address the urgent need to build more affordable homes.

9. SHOCK OVER EASYJET TAPE PHOTO

A photograph taken by a passenger of an airport worker sticking tape onto the engine of an easyJet plane moments before take off caused a storm on social media yesterday. A passenger snapped the photo of a worker applying tape over a join in the turbine casing. EasyJet responded to the passenger on Twitter, saying the tape was “cosmetic work” and “nothing structural”.

10. GUNNERS CRUISE INTO HISTORY BOOKS

Arsenal became the most successful club in FA Cup history as they comfortably beat Aston Villa at Wembley to earn Arsene Wenger a record-equalling sixth triumph. The Gunners have now won the trophy a record 12 times. They retained the trophy they won against Hull City a year ago to put Arsene Wenger's total of wins – six - alongside George Ramsay.