Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 13 Mar 2016

1. PM 'petrified' of Boris and 'nuts' Michael Gove

David Cameron is “petrified” of London mayor Boris Johnson and thinks that Michael Gove is a Maoist who’s gone “a bit nuts”, claims a book serialised in the Mail On Sunday. The PM called the EU referendum as a “party management issue” to keep “mad” right-wing Tory MPs at bay, according to a new book by former Lib Dem cabinet minister David Laws

2. Barack Obama tells White House hopefuls to cool it

Barack Obama has told White House contenders to avoid raising tensions, after a Chicago rally by Donald Trump was called off amid clashes. The US president said candidates should not resort to "insults" and "certainly not violence against other Americans". In Ohio yesterday, Trump was briefly surrounded by secret service agents on stage after a man tried to breach the security cordon.

3. George Osborne warns of fresh spending cuts

George Osborne has warned of further cuts, arguing the country has to "act now rather than pay later”. Writing in the Sun on Sunday ahead of this week’s budget, the chancellor says he will have to make new cuts to public spending "so the country lives within its means". The world is "facing its most uncertain period since the Great Recession", he wrote.

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4. Anorexia is sign of narcissism says Bakewell

The increase in anorexia and other eating disorders among teenagers is a sign of growing “narcissism” and “self-regard”, according to the veteran broadcaster and author Joan Bakewell. Speaking to The Sunday Times, Bakewell said: “No one has anorexia in societies where there is not enough food. They do not have anorexia in the camps in Syria. I think it’s possible anorexia could be about narcissism.”

5. Rugby: England closing on another Grand Slam

England have a Grand Slam in their sights after beating Wales to secure the Triple Crown in an epic encounter. A first-half try from Anthony Watson and three penalties from Owen Farrell put the hosts on their way to a 25-21 victory. Wales coach Warren Gatland said: "Only the players can answer the question why they were so flat and lethargic, because we didn't turn up in that first half."

6. Government 'will abandon Heathrow plan' says minister

David Cameron will abandon plans for a third runway at Heathrow, Justine Greening, the international development secretary, has forecast. Greening predicts that the cabinet will conclude that the west London airport should not be expanded. She tells the Sunday Telegraph there is a need for a new “long term” strategy to be drawn up to decide on a "sensible" future airport policy .

7. Shocking conditions at 'Happy Egg' farm

Around 16,000 hens have been pictured rammed tightly together in a shed on a north Norfolk free range farm which supplies eggs to Nobel Foods, which runs supermarket brand The Happy Egg Co. The birds were covered in mites and sores, according to the Mail On Sunday. However, RSCPA inspectors ruled that the farm broke no free-range regulations.

8. Courtiers act on 'politicised' Queen concern

Palace staff have acted to prevent the Queen being used as a political football during the European referendum campaign. A Whitehall official, who has close links to the palace and No 10, said: “There’s a concern and a need to draw the Queen back out of the political space.” Officials at Buckingham Palace agree she had been tainted by being sucked into the referendum debate.

9. Alastair Campbell slams Brexit stance of 'wretched' press

Alastair Campbell has made a characteristically bombastic entry into the EU debate, saying that newspapers that back a Brexit are plumbing “fresh depths of dishonesty” and insulting the intelligence of their readers. Writing in The Observer, Tony Blair’s ex-director of communications slammed “the wretched rightwing press”, whose “slavish Brexit propaganda would make Pravda proud”.

10. FA Cup: Diego Costa denies biting Gareth Barry

Diego Costa has denied biting Gareth Barry during Chelsea's 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Everton. The striker was dismissed following the clash with the Everton midfielder. In the cup today, Manchester United host West Ham United, with Arsenal at home to Watford. The Gunners are bidding to become the first club in the modern era to win the competition three years in a row.

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