Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 6 Nov 2012

1. SENIOR TORY DENIES CHILD ABUSE CLAIMS

Home Secretary Theresa May has announced a new police inquiry into allegations of child abuse in North Wales dating back to the 1970s and 80s. Meanwhile, the senior Conservative at the centre of the claims made by Steve Messham has strenuously denied the allegations in an anonymous interview with The Daily Telegraph. He said he had never visited the children's home Messham attended.

Tory paedophile scandal: will MPs use privilege to name X?

2. US VOTES AS ROMNEY KEEPS CAMPAIGNING

Millions of Americans are voting in the US presidential election. A new Washington Post poll gives President Obama 50% of the vote to Mitt Romney's 47%. Obama ended his campaign with a late-night rally in Des Moines, Iowa, while Romney surprised the media by announcing he would continue campaigning today in swing states. The first polling stations will begin closing at midnight GMT.

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Nate Silver calls it for Obama: is it another Dewey moment?

3. TAX CLAMPDOWN CALL ON MULTINATIONALS

Chancellor George Osborne and his German counterpart Wolfgang Schaeuble have called for "concerted international co-operation" to clamp down on US-based multinationals who avoid paying tax in foreign markets. Starbucks, Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google have all come under fire recently for paying little or no corporation tax in Britain.

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4. NADINE DORRIES IN 'I'M A CELEBRITY' ROW

Conservative MP Nadine Dorries faces questions over her conduct after she flew to Brisbane, Australia to take part in the ITV reality show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here, apparently without permission. Press reports say the Tory party is likely to look into whether Dorries is breaking the MPs' code of conduct, which dictates that she must "always behave with probity and integrity".

Dorries could face discipline for I'm a Celebrity disappearance

5. 'GAY TOP' SLUR LANDS NZ PM IN THE SOUP

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has been told to "watch his language" by the actor and gay rights activist Ian McKellen after Key criticised a radio host for wearing a "gay red top" and then tried to defend himself by saying that 'gay' just meant 'weird'. On the same day, Key told a group of schoolgirls that David Beckham was a nice guy but "thick as batshit".

Ian McKellen attacks NZ PM over 'gay red top' radio insult

6. MURDERED HEYWOOD 'SPIED ON BO XILAI'

Neil Heywood, the British businessman whose murder led to the downfall of top Communist Party official Bo Xilai, was working for British intelligence, The Wall Street Journal has claimed. Heywood “had been knowingly providing information” about the Bo family to MI6 “for more than a year” before his death, the paper reports.

Murder victim Neil Heywood 'was spying on Bo Xilai' for UK

7. UK'S TOP EXECUTIVES RECEIVE 27% PAY RISE

Executives in Britain's biggest companies have seen their earnings go up by an average of 27 per cent in the past year, according to a survey by Incomes Data Services of the directors of the top 100 companies quoted on the London Stock Exchange, giving them an average of £4 million a year. The increase comes from the share grants which replaced controversial bonuses.

8. CAMERON: LET ASSAD HAVE SAFE PASSAGE

Prime Minister David Cameron, on a tour of Gulf states, said today that he supports the notion of President Bashar al-Assad being given safe passage out of Syria if it means the bloodshed can come to an end. Amnesty International rejected the apparent offer of immunity saying it was important Assad faced justice.

Syria rebels kill brother of Parliamentary Speaker

9. ALEX FERGUSON GETS OLD TRAFFORD STATUE

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is to be immortalised in bronze. A statue commissioned by the club from sculptor Philip Jackson will be erected at Old Trafford later this month. Ferguson, 70, celebrates 26 years in charge today, with his club once again leading the Premier League.

Man United to unveil Ferguson statue as he celebrates 26 years

10. HOT TICKET: UNCLE VANYA REVISITED

Lindsay Posner's new production of Chekhov's classic play 'Uncle Vanya' has opened at the Vaudeville Theatre, West End. Ken Stott stars as Vanya, a middle-aged man who falls for his successful brother-in-law's much younger wife, played by Anna Friel. "Heartbreaking", says The Times. Until 16 February.

Anna Friel shines in Chekhov's heartbreaking Uncle Vanya