Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 11 Apr 2015

1. TORIES IN ‘POSITIVE’ CAMPAIGN REVAMP

The Conservatives are re-launching their campaign strategy after sliding in the polls and being accused of counter-productive negative attacks on Ed Miliband. A senior cabinet minister tells The Independent the party plans to enter a “positive” phase in the campaign which will highlight its vision for five more years in power.

2. HILLARY TO ANNOUNCE WHITE HOUSE BID

Hillary Clinton is to announce she is running for president on Sunday, according to various US media outlets. The former Secretary of State is expected to make the announcement on social media. The 67-year-old former first lady previously ran for president in 2008 and is already regarded as a strong contender for the Democratic presidential nomination.

3. OBAMA AND CASTRO’S HISTORIC HANDSHAKE

US president Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro have greeted each other at a summit in Panama in a highly-charged symbolic gesture. The pair also spoke by phone, only the second conversation between the leaders of the US and Cuba in 50 years. Obama has told Latin American leaders that the days when his country could freely interfere in regional affairs are past.

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4. PUBLIC ‘AGAINST CAMILLA AS QUEEN’

The majority of the public does not want Camilla to become queen if Prince Charles succeeds to the throne, according to a poll in the Daily Mail. Just 43% believe Charles should ascend to the throne compared with 40% saying he should stand aside in favour of his elder son Prince William. Harry and William are the most popular members of the Royal Family.

5. TORIES & LABOUR IN HEALTH PLEDGES

The two main parties are announcing health pledges, as the general election campaign heats up. David Cameron will confirm an extra £8bn a year for the NHS in England by 2020 if he wins the election. Meanwhile, Ed Miliband will pledge that every woman giving birth would receive care from a designated midwife to ensure that they were never left to cope alone.

6. ANDY MURRAY TO MARRY SEARS

Andy Murray is set to marry Kim Sears in his home town of Dunblane. The Wimbledon and US Open winning tennis star and his partner will walk down the aisle in Dunblane Cathedral this afternoon. The couple, who are both 27, will air their vows at the 12th Century cathedral before heading to a small reception for family members and close friends.

7. DOGS DETECT PROSTATE CANCER

Dogs have been trained to detect prostate cancer with more than 90% accuracy. The ability of two German shepherds to identify it has raised hopes of canines’ sense of smell helping doctors identify a number of human cancers. The two female dogs sniffed urine samples from 900 men, 360 with prostate cancer and 540 without. Both animals were right in well over 90% of cases.

8. DAVID STARKEY IN RACE CLAIM

Dr David Starkey has provoked another controversy by suggesting that there is a propensity for violence among black Britons. “It would appear so,” he tells the Daily Telegraph. “Well, if you look at the statistics – indeed! If you look at mugging, shootings and stabbings. The figures I’m afraid are unchallengeable.” After the London riots in 2011 he said “the whites have become black”.

9. RINGO STARR: ‘I WAS MAD FOR 20 YEARS’

Ringo Starr says he was “mad” for years after The Beatles split. “I was mad,” he tells The Times. “For 20 years. I had breaks in between of not being mad. These days I can be mad but I’m not the Mad Hatter.” In a frank conversation, he says of the 1970s and 80s: “I was drunk. I didn’t notice . . . Some of those years are absolutely gone.”

10. CAN THE GUNNERS PRESS CHELSEA?

Arsenal can move within four points of leaders Chelsea today with victory at Burnley. However, the Gunners would have played two games more than the Blues by this evening. Manchester United striker Robin van Persie will miss tomorrow’s Manchester derby despite returning to training following an ankle injury.