Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 29 May 2012

1. DENTISTS 'TRICK PATIENTS TO GO PRIVATE'

Up to 500,000 patients are being “deliberately misled” into private treatment each year, according to an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading. The 18-month long investigation found that dentists were forcing patients to pay for costly private treatment by failing to tell them it was available on the NHS.

2. COUPLE ARRESTED OVER DERBY FIRE DEATHS

Father-of-17, Mick Philpott, 55, and his 31-year-old wife Mairead have been arrested on suspicion of murder after an arson attack that killed six children aged five to 13 at their home in Derby earlier this month. The fire began when petrol was poured through the letterbox of the house in Victory Road. Police have made a fresh appeal for information.

Mother and father arrested for murder of six children in fire

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3. IRAN ADMITS SYRIA PARTNERSHIP

Iran has admitted for the first time that it has despatched special forces to assist the Syrian regime's crackdown. Meanwhile, UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan will hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus today. Annan will demand the Syrian government takes "bold steps" to end violence.

4. U-TURN ON PASTY TAX 'A SHAMBLES'

The Government has performed a U-turn on its plan for a 'pasty tax' and VAT rises on static caravans following protests from bakers and caravan users. Labour's shadow chief secretary to the Treasury described the change of heart as "a total and utter shambles", proving how "ill-thought through" the Budget was.

Pasty tax U-turn: what's next as Osborne dons the flip-flops?

5. OBAMA ON VIETNAM VETERAN "DISGRACE"

Barack Obama has condemned the treatment of Vietnam veterans. Speaking on Memorial Day, he told them: "You... were sometimes denigrated when you should have been celebrated. It was a national shame, a disgrace that should have never happened." He told Iraq and Afghanistan veterans: "America will be there for you."

6. DAUGHTER HAWKS SADDAM MEMOIR

Saddam Hussein's eldest daughter is trying to find a publisher to release his memoir. Raghad Saddam Hussein, who lives in exile in Jordan, is hoping her father's hand-written manuscript will be published soon. The dictator was also the purported author of four novels, including Get Out, You Damned One.

7. TUDOR ERA 'NEVER HAPPENED'

The concept of a Tudor era in British history is a misleading fabrication, according to a historian from Oxford University. Cliff Davies says it is "erroneous" to claim that people believed they were living under a "Tudor" monarchy. He adds that the misconception is fuelled by films and period dramas.

8. TEACHER DESCRIBED KIDS AS 'IDIOTS'

A teacher described primary school pupils as "pests, idiots, clowns and buffoons", put three children on detention for fidgeting and once played piano in the school hall for an entire day during an OFSTED inspection, a disciplinary panel has heard. Roger Griffin told the hearing his conduct had been "appropriate".

9. EDEN HAZARD CHOOSES CHELSEA

Chelsea are set to win the race for Lille playmaker Eden Hazard. The midfielder will join the club in a deal worth £32m in a five-year deal worth up to £170,000 a week. Hazard, who had also been chased by Manchester City and Tottenham, announced on Twitter: “I’m signing for the Champions League winner.”

Arsenal Van Persie boost as wife and mum tell him to stay

10. HOT TICKET: EMIN RETURNS TO MARGATE

Tracey Emin is putting on her first exhibition in her hometown of Margate. Emin says she conceived the works for 'She Lay Down Deep Beneath The Sea' specifically for the town and the Turner Contemporary Gallery. The Daily Telegraph says her tapestries are “are startlingly effective”.

Tracey Emin reveals new serenity at Turner Contemporary, Margate