Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 12 Apr 2015

1. LABOUR DECLARES WAR ON TAX AVOIDANCE

Labour will declare outright war on tax avoidance and evasion if it wins the general election, says The Observer. The party plans to push emergency laws through parliament designed to raise more than £7.5bn a year. The reforms will involve far higher fines and the closing of loopholes. Meanwhile, a Conservative government would end inheritance tax on family homes worth up to £1m, David Cameron is to announce.

2. MARK CARNEY IS A NON-DOM

Mark Carney is a non-dom, says The Sunday Times. The Canadian-born Bank of England governor, lured to the UK by George Osborne on an £874,000 salary, has non-dom status and will face higher taxes if the benefit is revoked by an incoming Labour government. “The governor pays full UK taxes on all earnings including his housing allowance,” said the BOE.

3. WERE LINCOLN AND NIXON GAY?

A provocative new book claims leading historical figures including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain and Richard Nixon led secretly gay lives. Written by legendary gay-rights activist and award-winning author Larry Kramer, The American People: Volume 1 is causing controversy among US historians.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

4. OBAMA: MEETING WITH CASTRO ‘FRUITFUL’

Barack Obama has said that his meeting with Cuban president Raul Castro could be a "turning point". The US president said the meeting on the fringes of the Summit of the Americas was "candid and fruitful". Although Obama said that the former foes would continue to have differences, he added that he believes they can advance their mutual interests.

5. UK HAYFEVER ‘RISES BY 33%’

As many as 33% more people could suffer hayfever this year, says the Sunday Telegraph. Saharan dust, pollution and increased pollen counts could see the numbers of sufferers rise by one-third, say experts. Around 16m people in Britain suffer from hayfever, and the figure is expected to rise 30m within the next two decades.

6. FARAGE: ‘IT’S A BIT KNACKERING’

Ukip’s Nigel Farage admits that he is finding the election campaign “a bit knackering”. Describing the toll it has taken on him, the party leader tells the Sunday Telegraph he “can manage” but suggests he may need to adopt “slightly better pacing” for the remainder of the campaign, adding: “I am not superhuman”.

7. ANDY MURRAY MARRIES IN DUNBLANE

Andy Murray has married his long-term partner Kim Sears. The couple exchanged vows in front of family and friends at Dunblane Cathedral, in Murray’s hometown. The newlyweds, both 27, waved to crowds of well-wishers as the rain held off despite earlier showers and hailstones. Proud locals put bunting up and a butcher produced special heart-shaped burgers for the occasion.

8. UK HOLIDAYMAKERS SWINDLED OUT OF £2.2M

British holidaymakers were conned out of £2.2m last year through internet-based scams, says the BBC. Criminal groups have targeted online booking firms in order to swindle money from unsuspecting customers, according to a report.

Many victims discover they have been duped when they arrive at their accommodation and find no booking has been made.

9. KATIE HOPKINS FEARS FOR HER LIFE

Katie Hopkins fears she will be murdered over her provocative views. Speaking to the Daily Star, the controversial former Apprentice contestant said she has installed a panic button at her family home in Exeter. “Our house is rigged up to the local police station - that's just my life I suppose,” she revealed. One Twitter used has threatened to behead her with a machete.

10. WENGER PLAYS DOWN TITLE CHANCES

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has played down his side’s chances of mounting a late title charge. "I don't think our game against Chelsea will decide the title - they have two games in hand,” he said after the Gunners beat Burnley yesterday.

"We still need a perfect run and a non-perfect run from them." Chelsea are at QPR today, while Manchester United host neighbours City.