Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 13 Aug 2013

1. NEW BUYERS FUEL UK HOUSING RECOVERY

Buyers are returning to the market in their biggest numbers for four years, with sharp rises in inquiries in the Midlands and the North East, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors reports. Separate figures show mortgage approvals for first-time buyers have leapt since last year, and that 10,000 people have used the Help to Buy scheme since April.

Bubble, what bubble? PM and Osborne 'trusted' on economy

2. MISSING TEEN FOUND, FIVE ARRESTED

A 13-year-old girl missing from her home in Sheffield for over a week was found "alive and well" last night. Erika Kacicova was discovered in a square in the centre of Bradford just before 7pm. Four men and a woman were arrested on suspicion of child abduction. Detectives said they felt a "huge sense of relief" she had been found.

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3. AMERICAN GANGSTER BOSS CONVICTED

One of America's most notorious underworld bosses, James 'Whitey' Bulger, who led Boston's Winter Hill Gang in the 70s and 80s, has been found guilty on 31 criminal counts, including 11 murders. Bulger, who went on the run in 1994 and evaded capture until 2011, is now 83, and will likely spend the rest of his life in jail.

Whitey Bulger: jury finds Boston mob boss guilty

4. TORIES MORE CAPABLE ON ECONOMY - POLL

The proportion of people who believe the Tory team of David Cameron and George Osborne are more capable of managing the economy than the Labour team of Ed Miliband and Ed Balls has soared to 40% from 28% in June, according to a new Guardian ICM poll. On voting intentions, Labour are ahead by 35% to 32%.

Bubble, what bubble? PM and Osborne 'trusted' on economy

5. DUTCH SKI ACCIDENT PRINCE DIES

Dutch Prince Johan Friso, injured in an avalanche while skiing off-piste in Austria last year, has died. The father of two, who was 44, had been in a coma since suffering a serious brain injury in the accident. He suffered complications after leaving hospital last month. His wife had spent her 45th birthday, on Sunday, by his side.

6. STUDENTS ABANDON ARTS FOR SCIENCE

Students are shunning arts and humanities subjects in favour of more practical degrees, with demand for English, history and languages falling as students pick courses that lead directly to the workplace. Academics believe the rise in tuition fees and the increasingly difficult jobs market have focused students' minds.

7. TWO HELD AFTER LEGO LAND 'BRAWL'

Two men have been arrested after a brawl broke out between families queuing for Legoland's Jolly Rocker pirate ride. Police were called to the theme park in Windsor after ten people began 'viciously' fighting, the Metro reports. One man allegedly grabbed a metal queue pole during the incident and brandished it as a weapon.

Brick bats: metal pole swung during Legoland 'brawl'

8. BROAD THE HERO IN ENGLAND ASHES WIN

In a battle dubbed 'manic Monday', England won the fourth Ashes Test by 74 runs thanks to a stunning bowling display by Stuart Broad. The victory, as the light faded in Durham, put England up 3-0 in the series with one match to play. Captain Alastair Cook said the team "are going to want to repeat that at the Oval".

Stuart Broad bowls himself into history as England win 4th Test

9. VENEZUELA'S LEADER 'SLEEPS WITH CHAVEZ'

President Maduro of Venezuela claims he likes to sleep in the mausoleum of his predecessor Hugo Chavez. "I sometimes come at night. At times, many times, I sleep here," said Maduro during a visit to the barracks in Caracas where Chavez's marble tomb is guarded round the clock by soldiers in red and yellow hussars' uniforms.

Venezuelan president sleeps in Hugo Chávez's mausoleum

10. HOT TICKET: RETURN OF WEST SIDE STORY

A revival of 'West Side Story', with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, has opened at Sadler's Wells, London. The musical sets the Romeo and Juliet love story amid the gang rivalry of 1950s New York. With hit songs 'Maria' and 'America'. "Relevant and thrilling," says Time Out. Until 22 September, then touring.

West Side Story revival 'fresh, relevant and thrilling'