Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 10 Apr 2015

1. HIGHEST-LEVEL CUBA-US TALKS FOR 50 YEARS

Cuba and the US have held their highest-level talks for 50 years, between foreign ministers John Kerry and Bruno Rodriguez. The last comparable summit was in 1959 when Fidel Castro met Richard Nixon, then vice-president. The US is said to be planning to take Cuba off its list of states which sponsor terrorism.

Obama and Castro 'to make history' in Panama

2. HILLARY TO LAUNCH WHITE HOUSE BID

The Guardian claims Hillary Clinton will finally launch her long-expected White House bid on Sunday. A source says Clinton will announce her intentions via Twitter, followed by an email and video, all sent from a flight to Iowa. It will be the second time the former secretary of state has tried to get the top job.

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What is Hillary Clinton doing now?

3. ELECTION CAMPAIGN: MILIBAND IN SCOTLAND

Ed Miliband is paying his first visit to Scotland during the election campaign, sharing a platform with Ed Balls and Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy to claim the SNP’s policies would cause a £7.6bn black hole in finances. Meanwhile, the Tories’ Michael Fallon accused Miliband of having a “lust for power”.

4. POLLUTION ALERT ON HOTTEST DAY OF YEAR

People who suffer from lung and heart conditions - and the elderly - have been warned to avoid strenuous activity today because of dangerous air pollution, set to cover eastern, central and southern England on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far. It may be as hot as 22C in eastern England.

5. VOICE OF CRICKET RICHIE BENAUD DIES

Former Australian cricket captain, and much-loved commentator, Richie Benaud has died in a Sydney hospice at the age of 84. Known as the ‘voice of cricket’, Benaud suffered from skin cancer. Australian PM Tony Abbott has offered to hold a state funeral for Benaud, one of the most influential figures in the game.

Richie Benaud dies at 84: state funeral for 'great Australian'

6. THIN PEOPLE FACE HIGHER DEMENTIA RISK

Underweight people are at higher risk of contracting dementia, according to a study which examined two million health records. The highest risk was found in middle-aged people with a BMI under 20. The UK research goes against current thinking, which holds that the obese have a higher risk of dementia.

7. EASYJET CANCELS 600 FLIGHTS OVER STRIKES

Budget airline EasyJet has cancelled almost 600 flights in the past two days because of strike action by French air traffic controllers. Some passengers are now stranded overseas and the carrier is putting on extra “rescue flights” to some destinations, using larger aircraft. Rival Ryanair said it had cancelled 500.

8. CLARKSON PULLS OUT OF BBC PANEL SHOW

Presenter Jeremy Clarkson, sacked from Top Gear after punching a producer, has pulled out of hosting the BBC’s satirical news show Have I Got News For You. A statement from production company Hat Trick said Clarkson had decided “on reflection” not to go ahead, despite clearance from the BBC.

Jeremy Clarkson to become a character in Amazon Prime’s The Grand Tour Game

9. POLICE TO QUIZ UKIP MAN ON SAUSAGE ROLLS

A Ukip candidate says he has been told to report to police for questioning over alleged ‘treating’ - the crime of giving cash or favours for votes. Kim Rose, standing in Southampton Itchen, organised an event in February where people could play snooker with Jimmy White - and says he “laid on” sausage rolls.

10. BRIEFING: LABOUR'S NON-DOM TAX PLANS

Yesterday's campaigning was dominated by Labour's announcement that it plans to abolish Britain's 200-year-old non-domicile rule, which allows some of the country's wealthiest residents to limit their tax payments. Ed Miliband said that the "non-dom" status has become a symbol of tax avoidance and "makes Britain an offshore tax haven", but the Conservatives claimed that Labour's plans would cost the UK money.

Labour to abolish non-dom tax status: how would it work?