Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 5 Nov 2012

1. LATEST US POLL PUTS BARACK OBAMA AHEAD

An eve-of-election national opinion poll by the Pew Research Center has given Barack Obama the edge over Mitt Romney by 48% to 45%. The same poll taken last week – before superstorm Sandy hit the States – had the candidates neck-and-neck at 47%. Analysis of local polls in swing states suggests Obama will hold on to the presidency tomorrow.

Momentum returns to Obama: is it all over bar the insults?

2. PRESSURE ON PM TO REVEAL BROOKS TEXTS

Following the publication of two text messages by the Mail on Sunday, David Cameron is under pressure to reveal further correspondence between him and Rebekah Brooks. Labour MP Chris Bryant said he would use the Freedom of Information act to force the PM to reveal the content of what he claims are "salacious" text messages.

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3. STATELESS CHILDREN ON LONDON STREETS

Hundreds of "stateless" children without nationality after being abandoned by immigrants are living rough in London and other cities, the BBC reported last night. Children's charities including Asylum Aid say the children cannot seek help from authorities or go to school because they have no papers and end up on the streets or in prison.

Hundreds of stateless children live on UK city streets

4. AFTER SANDY, NYC FEARS HOUSING CRISIS

As many as 40,000 New Yorkers displaced from their homes may need emergency housing as cold weather closes in following Superstorm Sandy, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said last night. Federal agencies are altready seeking flats and hotel rooms to use as emergency housing, but thousands more without power or heat may have to abandon their homes.

5. CAMERON ORDERS SEX ABUSE INVESTIGATION

David Cameron has called for an investigation into how allegations of sexual abuse at north Wales children's homes in the 1970s and '80s were dealt with. He said he would appoint a "senior independent figure" to look at the Waterhouse Inquiry, which was published in 2000. There have been claims a Tory cabinet minister was part of a paedophile ring.

Portillo calls for fresh inquiry into Tory paedophile scandal

6. ASH DIEBACK: GROWER SUES 'DITHERING' GOVT

Nursery owner Robert Crowder is to sue the government for £200,000 after health officials identified 15 trees infected with ash dieback disease at his nursery in June but ordered him not to remove them. As a result of "dithering", he has had to destroy 50,000 ash trees. Defra has confirmed ash dieback has been found in 52 locations across Britain.

Tree grower sues government over ash dieback delays

7. MANCHESTER UTD TOP THE PREMIER LEAGUE

After the first ten matches of the season, Manchester United are leading the Premier League table after overpowering Arsenal in a 2-1 victory they should have won by far more, according to manager Alex Ferguson. Chelsea could only manage a 1-1 draw with Swansea and are second, a point behind. Last year's league champions Man City lie third.

Fergie gives Wenger a lesson in management as Arsenal wilt

8. EARLY SNOW BRINGS FLOOD WARNINGS

Three inches of early snow fell over England yesterday, prompting a new wave of flood alerts in Wiltshire, South Gloucestershire and the West Country. Transport was widely disrupted, a bridge was in danger of collapse, and 15 flood warning issued. Bournemouth experienced the most rain, with 1.2 inches.

UK weather: floods expected following sudden snow falls

9. SAVILE INVITED STATUS QUO TO 'SEX PARTY'

Status Quo frontman Francis Rossi has claimed that Jimmy Savile invited him to a 'sex party' in his Top of the Pops dressing room before the band's first appearance on the show in 1968. Rossi, who was just 18 at the time, said Savile invited him to "come and see me tarts" as they waited to go on stage. He declined the offer.

10. HOT TICKET: HALO 4 'GAME OF THE CENTURY'

The latest science fiction action video game from Microsoft's 'Halo' franchise is released worldwide this week. The first instalment of a new trilogy, 'Halo 4' sees Master Chief and his female companion Cortona return to continue humanity's war against an alien alliance. "Game of the century", says the Daily Mail.

Thrilling Halo 4 makes strong claim for game of the century