Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 4 Aug 2013

1. PM TOLD 'GO HOME VANS' BACKFIRED

The Home Office’s scheme for “go home” vans targeting illegal immigrants has backfired, believes David Cameron's election strategist. Lynton Crosby says the vans play into the hands of UKIP by focusing the debate on the “tactics not the issue”. Crosby wants to launch a covert operation to undermine UKIP politicians by catching them making embarrassing comments.

2. UK AND US CONCERN OVER MUGABE ELECTION

Foreign secretary William Hague has expressed “grave concern” after Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe won a seventh term in office amid allegations of electoral fraud. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai insists that his party won the election and says he “totally rejects” the official results. The US says the outcome does not "represent a credible expression of the people".

3. GOVT MAY TURN SHOPS INTO HOMES

Thousands of empty shops could be turned into homes after the government decided that some British high streets are no longer viable, reports the Sunday Times. Planning minister Nick Boles believes local authorities should give up trying to revive town centres that are blighted by rows of boarded-up shops and instead convert the empty properties into affordable homes.

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4. TERROR: UK CLOSES YEMEN EMBASSY

A two-day closure of the British embassy in Yemen has begun amid fears of a terror attack. The Foreign Office is continuing to "strongly urge" Britons to leave Yemen and is advising against travel to the country due to "increased security concerns". The US has closed 21 embassies and consulates after reportedly intercepting al-Qaeda messages.

5. MARY BEARD RECEIVES BOMB THREAT

Broadcaster Mary Beard has been sent a bomb threat on Twitter hours after its UK boss apologised to women who have experienced abuse. Prof Beard, who has faced abuse on Twitter in the past, has reported the threat to the police. A number of Twitter users are boycotting the social network for 24 hours today to highlight the issue of online abuse.

6. HOSPITALS WARNED AGAINST MARKETING

Health watchdogs are to be empowered to take action against hospitals that allow businesses to roam NHS maternity wards bombarding mothers with marketing material, reports the Independent on Sunday. Health minister Dan Poulter said hospitals must “get a grip” to “ensure the protection of women's privacy and dignity”.

7. PRINCE GEORGE 'WRIGGLES A LOT'

Royal baby Prince George is keeping his parents "on our toes", and “wriggles a lot", Prince William has said. William had his first day out since becoming a father, to play at a polo match with his brother, Prince Harry. Despite scoring the winning goal, he admitted his mind was elsewhere. "I was in baby mode out there, thinking about nappies, I wasn't really in the zone," he said.

8. SPOT CHECKS 'NOT BASED ON COLOUR'

Immigration minister Mark Harper has denied claims that controversial immigration spot checks are linked to people’s colour. Last week, Doreen Lawrence, Labour peer and mother of murdered Stephen Lawrence, said “racial profiling” is involved in the checks. Harper said: “We weren’t stopping people based on their race or their ethnicity.”

9. POLL: ECONOMIC CONFIDENCE GROWING

More consumers think the UK economy will improve next year than those who think it will worsen, a survey has found. Some 36% of those polled by Which? believe the economy will improve in the next 12 months, with 29% of those questioned thinking it will worsen. The proportion of those rating the economy as good was, at 13%, the highest since July last year.

10. BARCA SAY CESC FABREGAS CAN DECIDE

Manchester United have been given fresh hope of signing Cesc Fabregas after Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino said the decision rested with the midfield. After the Spanish giants rejected bids of £25m and £30m from United for the former Arsenal captain, Martino said: "I would prefer him to stay with us and I dare say he will, but it's his decision."