Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 2 Aug 2015

1. Colossal doping crisis hits athletics

A major new crisis has hit athletics as fresh allegations of suspected doping emerged from a leak of test data. The Sunday Times has obtained access to the results of blood tests from 5,000 athletes, which shows a third of medals (including 55 golds) at the Olympics and World Championships between 2001 and 2012 were won by athletes who have recorded suspect tests.

2. Media coverage ‘encourages fresh terrorism’

Sensationalist media coverage of terrorism leads to further violence, according to new research. Michael Jetter, a professor at the School of Economics and Finance at Universidad EAFIT in Medellín, Colombia, and a research fellow at the Institute for the Study of Labour in Bonn, Germany, analysed the reporting of more than 60,000 terrorist attacks between 1970 and 2012.

3. Corybyn pledges role for Blairites

Jeremy Corbyn has pledged a role for Blairites if he wins the Labour leadership contest, reports The Observer. The contender has promised to invite “great talents” from all wings of the party – including Blairites – into his shadow cabinet if he becomes leader. Neil Kinnock has warned that “Trotskyite” forces with “malign” intentions are trying to drag Labour to the far left under Corbyn.

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4. Asylum families to be stripped of benefits

The families of failed asylum seekers will be stripped of their right to benefits, reports The Sunday Times. The controversial move is a bid to make Britain less attractive for migrants such as the thousands who have besieged Calais. Meanwhile, speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, home secretary Theresa May said the Calais situation was a "global migration crisis".

5. Ian McShane to join Game of Thrones

Ian McShane is joining Game of Thrones in a "key" role. The 72-year-old British actor, who has starred in Lovejoy and Deadwood, will join the cast in season six, which is currently being filmed and is expected to air early in 2016. Speculation suggests he could fill the role of Randyll Tarly, Sam Tarly's father, or Euron Greyjoy, Balon's brother.

6. Rogue peers ‘should be swiftly suspended’

Rogue peers should face swift suspension, says a former chairman parliamentary Labour Party. Lord Soley has written to the Lord Speaker Baroness D'Souza appealing for reforms to the House of Lords. His call comes in the wake of allegations levelled against Lord Sewel, who resigned from the House of Lords days after claims he took drugs with prostitutes.

7. Ant is best man as Dec marries

Declan Donnelly – of Ant and Dec fame - has married his manager Ali Astall at a ceremony in Newcastle. His long-term broadcasting sidekick Ant McPartlin was Donnelly’s best man. Earlier on Saturday, Donnelly quipped on Twitter: "Morning! I know I've got to be somewhere today but I can't for the life of me remember where…"

8. Vitamin D shortage hits Brits

A shortage of sunshine has left British people short on vitamin D, say health experts. If the government adopts their advice, it would be the first time that a recommended daily intake of vitamin D was set across the UK. Vitamin D is important for strong bones, as well as offering a number of other health benefits. Experts tell the Independent On Sunday that the news is likely to lead to a spike in the sales of supplements.

9. Family feud at Bobbi Brown memorial

The memorial for Whitney Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown was sullied by an argument that highlights afresh the tensions in the family. Bobbi Kristina's aunt, Leolah, left the service after venting anger at the role of another relative, Pat Houston. Bobbi Kristina died at a hospice last Sunday at the age of 22, six months after she was found face down and unresponsive in a bathtub.

10. Gunners stars ‘too interested in selfies’

Arsenal players are more interested in selfies and six-packs” than winning matches says former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane. His comments come as the Gunners prepare to face Chelsea in the FA Community Shield at Wembley. The clash comes 64 days after the Gunners ended the previous domestic campaign with their 4-0 FA Cup win over Aston Villa.