1. TORY GRANDEE CALLS FOR LABOUR PACT
A former Tory chairman has called for a coalition with Labour. Lord Baker of Dorking – formerly Kenneth Baker, Margaret Thatcher’s education secretary – said such a pact should be formed in the event of a hung parliament to stop Scottish Nationalist MPs provoking a constitutional crisis. The suggestion reflects growing anxiety over the electoral prospects of the SNP.
2. JIHADI JOHN ‘DRUNK ON A PLANE’ IN 2009
The terrorist known as ‘Jihadi John’ was expelled from the Tanzanian capital because he was drunk and disorderly on a flight from Amsterdam. The Times reports that in May 2009 Mohammed Emwazi embarked on a ten-hour drinking session as he flew to the country en route to Somalia. Now 26, Emwazi is believed to have beheaded a number of Islamic State hostages.
3. UK SET TO BASK IN 17C WEEKEND
The UK is set for a glorious weekend of weather with temperatures soaring to 17C – hotter than those expected in Rome, Athens and Tunisia. Met Office spokesman Nicky Maxey said: “It is going to be fine and dry on Saturday with the best of the weather in the South. It is looking warm and we could see 17C (63F) in some spots, although there will be some strong winds around fairly widely.”
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4. ED MILIBAND ON DAVID ‘RAMIFICATIONS’
Running against his brother for the Labour leadership caused bigger issues than he expected, admits Ed Miliband. Speaking of the move, he tells The Guardian: “I knew it was a big decision at the time, but it was an even bigger decision. It had bigger ramifications for my family, and for my relationship with David, than I had anticipated.”
5. MOSSAD MAN SLAMS NETANYAHU'S ‘BULL’
A former head of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad has described Benjamin Netanyahu’s warning on Iran as “bulls**t”. Meir Dagan, a longstanding critic of the Israeli prime minister, also slammed Netanyahu’s settlement policies, saying they will “result in a binational state, or an apartheid state.” He added: “I think that’s a catastrophe”.
6. ELDERLY BRITONS ‘BOOZE EVERY DAY’
Many elderly Britons are drinking every day of the week, according to research in the Daily Telegraph. British men booze more regularly after they retire than at any previous point in their lives, says the study led by academics at University College London. The finding follows warnings that drinking every day can increase the risk of health problems associated with alcohol.
7. CAMERON PLANS FREE SCHOOL EXPANSION
David Cameron will announce a significant expansion of the controversial free schools programme, says The Guardian. The prime minister is set to propose a further 153 free schools be opened in the next parliament. He is determined not to slow down on the most contentious part of his party’s school reform programme.
8. SYRIA GIRLS’ FAMILIES SLAM POLICE
Relatives of the three London schoolgirls believed to be in Syria have slammed the police for not passing on "vital" information before the teenagers disappeared. The families claim they might have been able to prevent the girls’ disappearance had they known one of their friends was already in Syria and police had spoken to the trio about it.
9. MUM GIVES BIRTH TO SON’S SON
A 46-year-old woman has revealed that she became the surrogate mother for her gay son who was desperate to become a father. Anne-Marie Casson became pregnant with a donor egg fertilised by sperm from her son Kyle. She made the move with the consent of her husband. The baby boy, Miles, was born last year and is now eight months old.
10. ASTON VILLA KICK OFF FA CUP WEEKEND
The FA Cup quarter-final weekend sees Aston Villa host West Brom, and Reading travel to Bradford. Meanwhile, Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has denied an FA charge for allegedly spitting at Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse. Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are in a strong position and ready to challenge their big-spending Premier League rivals for the world's top players.
