Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 23 Mar 2015

1. BROTHER AND SISTER MEDICS ‘WITH ISIS’

Two of the 11 or 12 Sudan-based British medical students believed to have crossed into areas of Syria held by IS (Islamic State) are a brother and sister, it has emerged. The pair, in their early 20s are believed to have the first names Tamir and Logain. Concerned relatives of the group have travelled to Turkey.

Nine British medics feared to be working with Islamic State

2. ‘EDL PLOT’ TORY MAY GO ‘WITHIN DAYS’

Afzal Amin, the Conservative election candidate at the centre of a row after he was recorded allegedly asking far-right organisation the EDL to pretend to put on a demo which he would pretend to stop, could be removed from the party “within days”, an unnamed source has told the BBC. Amin is currently suspended.

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Afzal Amin: now he claims an EDL ‘sting operation’

3. FRENCH ELECTIONS: THIRD PLACE FOR FN

France’s mainstream political parties are breathing a sigh of relief today after the far-right Front National, headed by Marine le Pen, failed to live up to its promise. Polls had suggested the FN could come first - but it only manged third place, behind Nicolas Sarkozy’s centre-right UMP and the ruling Parti Socialiste.

4. RICHARD III REMAINS TAKEN TO LEICESTER

The remains of Richard III, the last Plantagenet king of England, have arrived at Leicester Cathedral after touring landmarks in the county in an oak coffin made by carpenter Michael Ibsen, a Canadian who is one of the king’s last two known direct descendants. Local people lined the streets, some in costume.

Richard III's coffin arrives for reburial: what happens next?

5. REPUBLICAN CRUZ TO SEEK WHITE HOUSE

US senator Ted Cruz has become the first Republican to seek his party’s nomination to run for president in 2016. The 44-year-old Texan is a favourite with the party’s right-wing Tea Party movement and some say his candidacy could be divisive. No Democrats have declared their intentions as of yet.

6. SINGAPORE FOUNDER DIES AT AGE OF 91

Lee Kuan Yew, known as the founding father of Singapore after serving as the city-state’s first PM, has died at the age of 91. Lee oversaw Singapore’s independence from the UK but was later criticised as autocratic. He held office for 31 years and suppressed opponents using the courts. His son is now PM.

Lee Kuan Yew: 'iron-willed' founder of Singapore dies at 91

7. FARAGE CHASED OUT OF PUB BY PROTESTERS

Nigel Farage was forced to flee from a pub near his home where he was having Sunday lunch, leaving his children behind, after protesters burst in. Farage’s children, 15 and 10, were said by the Ukip leader to have hidden in fear. A relative later went to retrieve them. Farage described the protesters as “scum”.

8. MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES TO HIT UK

Experts are warning that rising temperatures mean mosquitoes carrying deadly diseases including dengue fever and the West Nile virus could pose a problem in southern England within a few decades. As well as being hotter, the UK is seeing more rainfall, which could create ideal conditions for the insects.

Mosquitoes 'could bring deadly diseases to the UK'

9. FIRST PLASTIC NOTES CIRCULATING IN UK

The first plastic bank notes are going into circulation in the UK today. Issued by the Clydesdale Bank, one of three banks which print money in Scotland, the £5 polymer notes, more durable than paper, feature a picture of the Forth Rail Bridge. The Bank of England will introduce polymer notes next year.

10. BRIEFING: LONDON GOLD PRICE 'FIX' ENDS

After almost a century, the "London gold fix" system for determining the price of the precious metal, has been replaced by a new electronic system which is intended to be more transparent. Under the old system, the price was set by a twice-daily conference call between bankers.

Gold price waits for rates clues from Jackson Hole