Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 2 Oct 2012

1. MILIBAND OUTLINES POLITICAL 'FAITH'

Ed Miliband has set out his credentials to become the next Prime Minister in a well-received speech at the Labour conference in Manchester. He made frequent reference to his political 'faith' in the address, delivered without notes, and attempted to steal the concept of 'one nation' politics from the Conservatives.

Miliband wages class war on Tory toffs, but it could backfire

2. DOZENS DIE IN HONG KONG BOAT CRASH

At least 36 people have died after two passenger boats collided south of Hong Kong. The larger vessel had 124 revellers on it, travelling to a fireworks display. Around 100 people have been rescued and taken to hospital, some of them suffering from hypothermia. The collision occurred near Lamma Island.

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3. MISSING FIVE-YEAR-OLD FEARED ABDUCTED

Police believe that a five-year-old girl who went missing in Powys may have been abducted. April Jones was seen getting into a lightly-coloured van yesterday evening. Around 200 locals searched streets and woodland overnight. Det Ch Supt Simon Powell says his officers are "becoming increasingly concerned for her safety".

April Jones: search for girl, 5, hits Twitter and Facebook

4. ALASTAIR CAMPBELL TO STAND AS MP?

Alastair Campbell has admitted he is considering standing for parliament at the next election. Tony Blair's former spin doctor told LBC: "I do think about it, and I am thinking about it." He added that he is in no "fantastic rush" to decide. A source close to Ed Miliband said: "I’m sure many local parties would love to have him as their candidate."

5. BOMB SURVIVOR STABBED HIS CHILDREN

The Surrey man believed to have killed himself and his two young children was a survivor of a 1982 IRA bombing in Hyde Park. The body of Michael Pedersen was discovered alongside those of his two children near a bridle path in Hampshire on Sunday. The Daily Mail reports that Pedersen's wife kicked him out of the family home just weeks ago following a row.

Soldier who survived IRA bomb kills two children and himself

6. SIKHS TAKE OFFENCE AT ROWLING NOVEL

A leading Sikh organisation has received complaints about the portrayal of a female Sikh in JK Rowling's new novel The Casual Vacancy. The character is teased and dubbed “the Great Hermaphrodite” and a “hairy man-woman”. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee described this as “a slur on the Sikh community”.

JK Rowling upsets Sikhs with 'hairy man-woman' depiction

7. FARMER EATEN BY HIS PIGS

A farmer in the US state of Oregon has been eaten by his own pigs. Terry Vance Garner never returned after going to feed his pigs last Wednesday. A relative later discovered Garner's dentures and pieces of his body in the pig enclosure. The Coos County district attorney said that one of the pigs had bitten or acted aggressively with Garner in the past.

Oregon farmer 'was eaten by his own pigs'

8. MEGAN TEACHER AGREES TO EXTRADITION

Teacher Jeremy Forrest, who was arrested in France last week on suspicion of abducting 15-year-old schoolgirl Megan Stammers, has agreed to be extradited back to the UK. The 30-year-old ppeared in court in Bordeax, where the couple were discovered on Friday. The extradition is expected to be approved on Thursday.

Megan Stammers 'love story' elicits sympathy in France

9. MET LAUNCHES SAVILE RAPE INVESTIGATION

The Metropolitan Police is to launch a fresh investigation into Jimmy Savile after a woman came forward to claim she had been raped by the late broadcaster, who died last year. It has also emerged that Savile was investigated by Jersey Police investigating allegations of abuse at a care home on the island in the 1970s.

Does BBC have questions to answer over Savile abuse claims?

10. HOT TICKET: VISIT THE BRONZE AGE

The Royal Academy’s autumn blockbuster exhibition 'Bronze' has opened to glowing reviews. The show surveys 5,000 years of bronze sculpture from around the world, featuring iconic images from Cellini, Moore and Matisse, as well as works never before seen in Britain. “Dazzling”, says The Guardian. Until 9 December.

Bronze: the Royal Academy’s big, bold, autumn blockbuster