1. BEDROOM TAX LEAVES 50,000 IN ARREARS
A third of council tenants affected by the so-called 'bedroom tax' have fallen behind on rent since the policy took effect on 1 April, new figures suggest. Freedom of Information requests to all of Britain's councils found 50,000 tenants are in arrears and face eviction as a result of the new under-occupancy charge.
2. IRAN'S ROUHANI SAYS NO TO NUCLEAR ARMS
Iran's new president has said his country will never build nuclear weapons. In an interview with NBC, Hassan Rouhani also described a recent letter sent to him by President Barack Obama as "positive and constructive" and claimed he had full authority to negotiate over Tehran's controversial uranium enrichment programme.
3. ELITE NHS MANAGERS TO RESCUE HOSPITALS
Managers from top-performing NHS hospitals are to be sent into failing ones in England in an effort to improve them. Eleven trusts were put in 'special measures' in July following a review into high death rates. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt believes teams from leading hospitals can help get failing ones "back to recovery".
4. UKIP INSURANCE CALL FOR IMMIGRANTS
Migrants from outside the European Union would have to have medical insurance to enter the UK under plans by the UK Independence Party to curb "health tourism". UKIP says the current system in which hospitals recover costs from foreigners not entitled to free care is failing. It proposes making visas conditional on having health cover.
5. CHELSEA SUFFER 2-1 DEFEAT, ARSENAL WIN
Jose Mourinho's Chelsea suffered their first home defeat in the Champions League group stage for ten years last night, losing 2-1 to Swiss side Basel. Stamford Bridge was left stunned as Marco Streller won the Group E opener with a header in the 81st minute. In Group F, Arsenal beat Marseille 2-1, with goals from Walcott and Ramsey.
6. ASSAD WARNS OF COSTLY CHEMICAL PLAN
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said he is committed to a plan to destroy his country's chemical weapons but warned the process could take a year. Speaking to Fox News, Assad said it would be "a very complicated operation, technically" and also extremely costly - "about a billion". He suggested the US should help pay.
7. TORY MEMBERSHIP DOWN UNDER CAMERON
Membership of the Conservative Party has nearly halved since David Cameron became Tory leader, figures have disclosed. According to the website ConservativeHome, the Tories have 134,000 members, down from over 253,000 during the 2005 leadership contest. Labour has a membership of more than 187,000.
8. LIB DEM TRIDENT CUTS A 'RECKLESS GAMBLE'
Plans by the Liberal Democrats to halve the Trident nuclear deterrent are a "reckless gamble with the UK's national security", Britain's most senior military and defence figures have warned. Fifteen signatories including Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, the former head of Nato, have criticised the proposal in a letter to The Times.
9. SALES OF SNAIL SLIME FACE CREAM SOAR
Sales of a new face cream containing snail slime have almost tripled in the UK in just two months. Health food chain Holland and Barrett began stocking the product in stores in June, since when sales have risen by 189 per cent. Snail Gel, which costs £19.99 for a 50ml pot, contains snail mucus which is said to repair the skin.
10. HOT TICKET: SMITH & WALLIAMS A DREAM
Michael Grandage's new production of A Midsummer Night's Dream has opened at the Noel Coward Theatre, London. Sheridan Smith and David Walliams star in Shakespeare's popular comedy about a night of magical mayhem and romantic hijinks in an enchanted forest. "A constant delight," says The Guardian. Until 16 November.
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