Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 15 Apr 2012

1. TOP DONORS SLAM CHARITY CAP

Leading charity donors have criticised the Government's plan to cap tax relief on charitable donations, telling The Sunday Telegraph it will "deprive charities of much-needed funds". Nick Clegg, writing in The People, says the cap is needed to prevent "wealthy individuals" dodging tax.

2. TWO HORSES DIE AT NATIONAL

Yesterday's Grand National was overshadowed by the deaths of two horses. The favourite, Synchronised, and According To Pete, were both put down after breaking legs on the Aintree course. The RSPCA has called for "an urgent examination" of the race.

How to save the National after tragic death of Synchronised

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3. CLEGG CALLS FOR STATE NANNIES

The Deputy Prime Minister wants to recruit 65,000 'state nannies' to give children as young as two a fairer start in education. Clegg told The Independent On Sunday he wants the legacy of his time in power to be the removal of barriers to social mobility.

4. DID CYANIDE KILL HEYWOOD?

Neil Heywood, the British businessman who died in China last year, was murdered by cyanide claim websites in China. Heywood had fallen out with politician Bo Xilai and his wife, Gu Kailai. He allegedly had an affair with Mrs Gu and helped her siphon nearly £800million of assets overseas.

China murder riddle: was Neil Heywood poisoned by cyanide?

5. MILIBAND CALLS FOR £5,000 DONATION CAP

Labour leader Ed Miliband wants a £5,000 cap on donations to political parties, including those from trade unions to his own party, he told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show today. This would be painful, he said, because it would cost Labour millions of pounds. But "we've got to... take big money out of politics."

6. DOCTORS SLAM COALITION ON OBESITY

A doctors' group has attacked the Government over its failure to curb obesity and called for a ban on fast-food sponsorship deals. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges highlighted the fact that McDonald's and Coca-Cola sponsor major sporting events, including the Olympics.

7. BRITAIN'S GREATEST EVER FOE NAMED

George Washington has been named as Britain's greatest ever foe in a contest run by the National Army Museum. Washington, who guided American rebels to victory in the War of Independence, was trailed in the poll by Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins and Napoleon Bonaparte.

8. TALIBAN LAUNCH WAVE OF ATTACKS

The Taliban launched a rare wave of coordinated attacks across eastern Afghanistan today. Targets hit by suicide bombers and rocket-propelled grenades included the Nato HQ in Kabul, the Afghan parliament and some foreign embassies. The Taliban called it the start of their "spring offensive". The scale of fatalities was not immediately clear.

West's Afghan policy in crisis after wave of Taliban attacks

9. ROSBERG WINS CHINA GRAND PRIX

German driver Nico Rosberg won his first ever Grand Prix after leading from the start in Shanghai today, giving Mercedes their first victory as a works team since the 1955 in Italy. McLaren's Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton came second and third, putting Hamilton into the world championship lead.

10. TEVEZ HAT-TRICK CLOSES GAP

Manchester City reduced Manchester United's lead in the Premier League to just two points with a 6-1 victory at Norwich City. Controversial Argentine striker Carlos Tevez hit a hat-trick. Meanwhile, Liverpool reached the FA Cup Final thanks to a 2-1 win over Everton.

Striking returns: Carlos Tevez and Andy Carroll come good