Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 2 Jun 2015

1. LIB DEM CHARLES KENNEDY DIES AT 55

Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has died suddenly at his home aged 55. The Scottish politician’s death is not believed to be suspicious, though the cause of death has yet to be confirmed. A statement released on behalf of his family said: "It is with great sadness, and an enormous sense of shock, that we announce the death of Charles Kennedy."

Charles Kennedy laid to rest near parents in the Highlands

2. STOP MOANING, GOVT TELLS THE NHS

The government has told the NHS: you have enough cash, now you must deliver. The NHS must stop making excuses about a lack of funding after the government committed to giving it an extra £8bn a year, the health secretary says today. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Jeremy Hunt says that the health must now "deliver its side of the bargain".

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NHS crisis: how Jeremy Hunt plans to cut hospital spending

3. WOMAN KILLED BY LION AT SAFARI PARK

A woman has been killed and a man is in a critical condition after a lion jumped through their car window at a leading South African tourist attraction. The pair were driving through the Lion Park in Johannesburg with their windows open when the lion attacked. The lion from the enclosure has been locked up following the incident.

4. MET CRACKS DOWN ON OBESE OFFICERS

“Porky PCs” face the sack unless they shape up, says the Metropolitan Police commissioner. Overweight officers who “waddle” to the scene of a crime will be dismissed, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has promised. Three-quarters of male officers and staff in the Met are either overweight or obese according to research, prompting the head of the force to crack down on the problem.

5. CHINESE CRUISE SHIP SINKS ON YANGTZE

Hundreds of people are missing after a cruise ship capsized on the Yangtze river in China's Hubei province. Some survivors have been found alive inside the hull of the submerged boat. The captain and the chief engineer are among the survivors and have been detained. No distress signal was sent and the alarm was raised by those who swam to shore.

China ferry disaster: 'no chance of anyone alive'

6. ALTON TOWERS: ROLLERCOASTER CRASH

Four people have been seriously injured after two carriages of a rollercoaster at Alton Towers theme park collided. The accident happened on the Smiler ride at around 2pm. One carriage was carrying 16 passengers and the other was empty. The area around the ride was evacuated and an air ambulance was called to help treat the injured.

Alton Towers owner fined 'record' £5m over Smiler crash

7. EIGHT HELD IN OXFORD CHILD SEX RAIDS

Eight men aged between 29 and 45 have been arrested on suspicion of child sexual exploitation in a series of dawn raids in Oxford. More than 100 officers from Thames Valley Police took part in the raids. The alleged offences took place between 1999 and 2007 and include rape, sexual grooming and indecent assault.

8. ROTATING HOSTS FOR BBC’S TOP GEAR?

Is BBC hit show Top Gear set for a Have I Got News For You style makeover? The corporation is believed to have offered the show's two remaining presenters - James May and Richard Hammond - £1m a year to keep the show going after Jeremy Clarkson's controversial departure. The BBC is suggesting a different host anchors the show each week, along the lines of the news quiz.

Jeremy Clarkson to become a character in Amazon Prime’s The Grand Tour Game

9. BLATTER QUITS AS PRESIDENT OF FIFA

Sepp Blatter is to stand down as president of Fifa. The 79-year-old Swiss called for an extraordinary Fifa congress "as soon as possible" to elect a new president. His shock decision comes a week after seven senior Fifa officials were arrested on corruption charges and four days after won an unprecedented fifth term as Fifa president.

Michel Platini will resign at Uefa's next congress

10. BRIEFING: LABOUR LEADERSHIP ODDS

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham is the frontrunner in the Labour leadership contest, according to the bookmakers. His rival Yvette Cooper, who appeared to take a swipe at him over benefits yesterday, remains the bookies' third favourite, while Liz Kendall, shadow minister for care and older people, has held onto the second position.

Jeremy Corbyn is a 'disaster', says Stephen Hawking