Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 31 Oct 2012

1. HURRICANE SANDY KILLS AT LEAST 55

At least 55 people have died after Hurricane Sandy caused havoc and devastation in the United States. Around 8 million homes and businesses remain without power and the transport system is crippled in many cities. Barack Obama, who has suspended electoral campaigning, today visited affected areas in New Jersey.

Hurricane Sandy aftermath - pictures

2. HESELTINE REPORT RATTLES COALITION

Lord Heseltine has criticised the coalition's growth strategy in a government-commissioned report on how to boost the UK economy. His study recommends significant changes including the devolution of £50bn of funding and reforms to immigration policy. Labour called his report "a damning indictment" of the government. Chancellor George Osborne said he would study the findings "very carefully".

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Whose side is he on? Heseltine calls for concrete plan for growth

3. IRAN 'PULLED BACK' FROM NUCLEAR BRINK

Iran has pulled back from the brink of nuclear weapon capability but will have to be confronted by next summer, says Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak. Iran recently used a third of its enriched uranium for civilian purposes delaying the point at which it could develop a bomb, he told The Daily Telegraph. This only delayed the “moment of truth” by “eight to 10 months", he added.

4. CAMERON FACES EU BUDGET REBELLION

David Cameron is facing a Commons defeat over Europe if Tory rebels join forces with Labour MPs and vote for a cut in the EU budget tonight. The EU wants an increase of 5% in its budget between 2014 and 2020. Cameron says he favours a rise in line with inflation, but Labour and some Tory MPs are demanding a real-term cut.

EU budget vote: what does everybody want?

5. SAVILE 'TOOK GIRLS TO LEEDS HOSPITAL'

Jimmy Savile regularly took teenage girls to a Leeds hospital late at night where he was handed the key to a private room, a former porter tells the BBC. Terry Pratt said that, starting in the late 1980s, Savile began to arrive late at night with girls who seemed "star-struck" but "not streetwise". The television star would then drop the key off as he left around 5am.

Jimmy Savile 'took teen girls' on nocturnal visits to Leeds hospital

6. ED DAVEY SLAPS DOWN WIND FARMS MINISTER

Lib Dem Energy Secretary Ed Davey has slapped down his junior energy minister John Hayes after the Tory told the Daily Mail that wind farms will no longer be "imposed" on communities. Davey himself said there had been no change to energy policy, according to The Daily Telegraph, and sources close to him said Hayes had "overreached" himself.

Tory minister declares war on 'bourgeois Left' wind farms

7. SEVENTH STAR WARS FILM IN 2015

A seventh episode of the Star Wars series will be released in 2015 after Disney bought the company behind the franchise for £2.5m. Announcing the sale, George Lucas said: “It’s time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers.” Disney said there is “substantial pent-up demand” for further instalments of the mega hit film series.

Disney and Star Wars join forces - disaster or golden opportunity?

8. WALCOTT SPEARHEADS STUNNING COMEBACK

Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick as Arsenal pulled off a sensational comeback against Reading in the League Cup. The Gunners trailed the Royals 4-0 after 35 minutes. By the end of the match, which included extra-time, the scoreline was 7-5 in Arsenal's favour. This was the first time in League Cup history that a team has scored five goals and still lost the tie.

7-5 to the Arsenal after the craziest of all comebacks

9. RACEHORSE KAUTO STAR RETIRES

Record-breaking racehorse Kauto Star has been retired. The steeplechaser's trainer, Paul Nicholls, made the announcement on Wednesday, seven months after the horse's last run. Kauto Star is the only horse to have regained the Cheltenham Gold Cup and also made history by winning the King George VI Chase five times.

10. HOT TICKET: ROYAL COURT SCORES A HIT

Jez Butterworth’s new play ‘The River’ has opened at the Royal Court Theatre to glowing reviews. A mystery unfolds in a cabin in the woods when a man takes his girlfriend on a fishing trip. Stars Dominic West of ‘The Wire’ and Miranda Raison from ‘Spooks’. “Sublime,” says The Independent. Until 17 November.

Dominic West 'compelling' in Jez Butterworth's The River