Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 15 Aug 2015

1. PM to offer academy status to all

All schools will be given the chance to convert to academy status "to benefit from the freedoms this brings", David Cameron says. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the prime minister said: "teachers, not bureaucrats should decide how best to educate our children". The announcement marks the first 100 days of Cameron’s government.

2. Did Queen make ‘greased brakes’ quip?

When the Queen was first told of the crash which killed Princess Diana, she replied: “Someone must have greased the brakes.” That is the claim made by an eye-witness in a new book. In The Queen’s Speech: An Intimate Portrait Of The Queen In Her Own Words, it is also alleged that the Queen described Diana as “mad, mad mad”.

3. Cancer patient Bob Cole ends his life

A terminally ill cancer patient ended his life in Switzerland yesterday after making a high-profile journey to raise the profile of assisted dying. Bob Cole, who had an aggressive form of lung cancer, called for a change in British law on the right to die. Cole, 68, passed away after drinking a lethal prescription of drugs at the Dignitas clinic.

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4. Corbyn accused of ‘anti-semitic rhetoric’

Jeremy Corbyn has been accused of “anti-semitic rhetoric” by one of Labour’s most senior politicians as a series of party grandees round on the controversial candidate. Ivan Lewis, the shadow Northern Ireland secretary, said the party must have “zero tolerance” for anti-Semitic sentiments. Gordon Brown is expected to intervene on the leadership contest this weekend.

5. Apple is ‘building self-driving car’

Apple is building a self-driving car in Silicon Valley, reports The Guardian this morning. The tech giant is searching for secure locations in the San Francisco Bay area to test the vehicle, according to correspondence obtained by the newspaper. The documents show the long-rumoured Apple car project appears to be further along than many suspected.

6. Bin Laden’s son in ‘al-Qaeda video’

Osama bin Laden’s son is trying to revive the al-Qaeda franchise, claims The Times. Last night the terror group released an audio recording, which it claims was made by Osama bin Laden’s favourite son, Hamza. In it, he calls for attacks on western targets. It is believed to be the first time that al-Qaeda has presented the junior bin Laden, thought to be in his mid-twenties.

7. Sir Tom Jones rages over Voice exit

Sir Tom Jones has said he had "no idea" or "no warning" that he would be leaving The Voice. Writing on Facebook, he revealed: "I was told yesterday, with no consultation or conversation of any kind, that I would not be returning." Paloma Faith and Boy George will join Ricky Wilson and will.i.am on the next series of the BBC show.

8. Akihito’s ‘deep remorse’ over world war two

Japanese Emperor Akihito has expressed "deep remorse" over events in world war two on the 70th anniversary of the end of the conflict. The Queen is to lead events to mark the 70th anniversary of VJ Day, when Japan surrendered and the war ended. A 95-year-old veteran who saw atom bomb fall is set to join VJ-Day anniversary crowds.

9. Prescott: ‘I didn’t grope barn door lady’

Lord Prescott has insisted that he could not have groped the wife of Austin Mitchell MP because she was “built like a bloody barn door” and “the f**cking house” would have fallen down if he had. The ever-outspoken peer and former Labour deputy leader said it was “totally untrue” that he put his hand up the skirt of Linda McDougall.

10. Januzaj goal gives United victory

Manchester United beat Aston Villa last night with a first-half strike from Adnan Januzaj. His goal meant United took their unbeaten run at Villa Park to 20 league matches. Today, third-placed Leicester travel to fifth-placed West Ham for the tea-time kick-off. West Brom, who currently lie bottom of the pile, are at Watford.