Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 1 May 2016

1. MPs invite Philip and Lady Green to give evidence

Lady Green, the wife of controversial retail tycoon Sir Philip Green, will be called to give evidence to MPs about the collapse of department store chain BHS. Two select committees, who have already written to Sir Philip inviting him to appear, revealed last night that they also intend to invite Lady Green. Monaco resident Tina is the legal owner of the retail empire run by her husband.

2. Sadiq Khan says Livingstone row is damaging his chances

Sadiq Khan, Labour's candidate for Mayor of London, has warned that the anti-Semitism row surrounding his party has damaged his chances of being elected. Khan said comments made by ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone had made it "more difficult" for Jewish voters to support him in next week's mayoral election. He told The Observer "there are too many examples” of anti-Semitism in Labour.

3. Survey suggests Britain is in middle of a 'housing crisis'

The UK is in “the throes of a housing crisis”, says The Observer. A survey by the newspaper found that 71% of Brits couldn’t buy a home without family help, while 37% say home ownership is out of reach for good. The results cast doubt on David Cameron’s claim before last year’s general election that Tory housing policies would transform “generation rent” into “generation buy”.

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4. Thousands flee Aleppo as US tries to restore ceasefire

Washington says it is working on initiatives to de-escalate fighting in Syria and restore a nationwide ceasefire. The US’s priority is to stop bloodshed in Aleppo where more than 200 people have died in a week of government air strikes and rebel shelling. Thousands fled Aleppo under the cover of darkness as president Assad’s planes circled for a final offensive.

5. BBC to face new checks on its programming

The BBC will faced unprecedented checks on the quality of its television and radio output under a proposed new charter to be unveiled by the government. The paper on the future of the corporation, to be published later in May, is expected to contain a series of measures to lessen the impact of the BBC on commercial rivals.

6. At least 15 deaths as mosque collapses in Somalia

A mosque has collapsed in Somalia, killing at least 15 people and injuring 40. The tragedy occurred during Friday prayers as the building was packed with worshippers. Hundreds of people are reported to have been inside the building, in the capital Mogadishu, when it collapsed. Some are still believed to be trapped under the rubble.

7. Is Vladimir Putin the latest ally of Donald Trump?

Donald Trump has found an unlikely ally in the form of Vladimir Putin, claims the Independent On Sunday. President Putin, and other senior Russian politicians, allegedly welcomed Trump’s recent comment that “an easing of tensions and improved relations with Russia, from a position of strength only, is possible”. Putin has previously spoken warmly of the billionaire White House hopeful.

8. Starbucks sued over amount of ice in its cold drinks

Starbucks is being sued for $5m over the proportion of ice in its cold drinks. Stacy Pincus claims that customers are being misled because the chilled beverages contain just over half the drink they are paying for. Her 29-page complaint was lodged in the Northern Illinois Federal Court in Chicago last week, according to Courthouse News Service.

9. Gloomy weather forecasts for Bank Holiday Monday

Weather conditions on Bank Holiday Monday look set to disappoint as a band of heavy rain crosses the UK. Meteorologists are forecasting that much of Monday will be wet and windy before brightening from the west in the afternoon. However, the sensationalist predictions of widespread snowfall in May are unlikely to materialise as milder weather looks to be on its way.

10. Football: Claudio Ranieiri hopes for Hollywood climax

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri says he wants a “movie-style” ending to the season as the Foxes look to secure the Premier League title today. Victory at Old Trafford would see Leicester, who lead second-placed Tottenham by seven points, crowned champions with two games still to play. "It's unbelievable, it's history and we know this," Ranieri said.