Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 4 May 2014

1. CAMERON: I’LL FACE NIGEL FARAGE ON TV

David Cameron is prepared to go head to head with UKIP leader Nigel Farage in a television debate ahead of the 2015 general election, says the Sunday Times. The prime minister favours a scheme in which he would have a one-to-one debate with Ed Miliband, a second debate with Miliband and Nick Clegg, and a third with Farage and the Green Party leader, Natalie Bennett.

Cameron: I'm ready to take on Nigel Farage

2. IS UKRAINE HEADING TOWARDS CIVIL WAR?

Ukraine is headed towards civil war after two days of violence and chaos in the east of the country. The area is braced for more chaos and bloodshed as troops from Kiev are poised to continue "anti-terror" operations while pro-Russian gunmen try to reinforce their defences. Ukrainian troops advanced on several towns yesterday to retake the buildings grabbed by the gunmen.

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Ukraine rekindles Nato aspirations, angering Russia

3. WILL MILIBAND RENATIONALISE RAIL?

Ed Miliband has been told to bring the rail network back into national ownership if Labour wins the election. More than 30 Labour parliamentary candidates are calling for a new policy to improve services and bring train fares back under control. Three times as many people back renationalisation of rail services (55%) as oppose it (18%), according to a poll.

4. ADAMS FACING ’17-HOUR INTERROGATIONS’

Gerry Adams is being interrogated for up to 17 hours a day by detectives probing the murder of Jean McConville, according to a source close to the Sinn Fein leader. Adams, who denies any involvement in the killing, has spent a fourth night in police custody. Detectives have until 8pm this evening to charge or release him.

5. POLL SHOWS NORTH/SOUTH SPLIT

David Cameron and Ed Miliband are practically neck-and-neck with a year to go until the general election, says the Sunday Telegraph. A clear political divide has opened up with the Tories edging ahead of Labour in the South, with Labour ahead in the North. Nationally, Labour’s lead has fallen to just one point, with the party now on 32% to the Tories’ 31%.

6. FA ‘FREAKING OUT’ OVER BRAZIL CRIME

Senior figures in the FA are “freaking out” over reports of violent crime in Brazil ahead of the World Cup, says the Mail On Sunday. The FA security unit fears players and fans will be “at risk”, particularly as the team’s hotel is near a gangland slum. The comments, from FA head of security Tony Conniford, contradict the official FA line that it is “fully confident” about security.

7. TORY CANDIDATE QUITS OVER TWEETS

A Conservative candidate has resigned from the party after posting Islamophobic comments on Twitter. Council candidate David Bishop retweeted messages, including one that claimed Islam was the religion of rape. "I have let myself and my party down," he said in a statement. A Tory Party spokesman added that Bishop’s views had ‘no place in our team’.

8. PM LAUNCHES IRA COMPENSATION DRIVE

David Cameron is launching a fresh bid for compensation for British victims of the IRA bomb attacks which were supported by Libya. The prime minister has appointed senior security adviser Sir Kim Darroch to lead a new drive on behalf of families of those who died or were maimed in terror attacks using plastic explosive supplied by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

9. HAMILTON’S TOAST CLIFFORD DEMISE

Neil and Christine Hamilton toasted the jailing of Max Clifford with champagne, confirms Christine. The couple successfully sued Clifford for defamation. Christine said: "I can't think of another person whom I would describe this way, but he is wicked. My husband would possibly put it in stronger words. He might agree with David Mellor, who said, 'May he rot in hell'."

10. MAN CITY LEAD AS FULHAM GO DOWN

Manchester City are back on top of the Premier League after beating Everton 3-2 at Goodison Park yesterday. Edin Dzeko scored twice to set up a thrilling final week in the race for the title. Fulham were relegated after 13 years in the Premier League following defeat at Stoke, with Cardiff also condemned to the drop by defeat at Newcastle.