Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 31 Aug 2013

1. US PRAISES 'OLDEST ALLY' FRANCE

US secretary of state John Kerry issued what is seen as a snub to Britain when he described the French, who will support US intervention in Syria, as America's “oldest ally”. UN inspectors investigating the alleged use of chemical weapons have left Damascus as the US considers a "limited narrow act" in Syria.

2. NELSON MANDELA RETURNS HOME

Nelson Mandela has returned to his home in Johannesburg after a long stay in hospital in Pretoria. The 95-year-old former South African president was admitted with a recurring lung infection in June. The infection is believed to date back to a period of nearly three decades he spent in prison for anti-apartheid activity.

3. MICROSOFT SUES THE US GOVERNMENT

Microsoft and Google are to sue the US government to win the right to reveal more information about official requests for user data. Both companies have been negotiating for the right to disclose the now-secret data requests they receive. “We will move forward with litigation in the hope that the courts will uphold our right to speak more freely,” said a Microsoft spokesman.

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4. CHARITY: 'SHARP RISE' IN ABUSE REPORTS

The NSPCC says there has been a “sharp rise” in the number of reported cases of sexual abuse. It said calls to its 24-hour advice line in June and July were nearly twice as high as in 2012. The charity said a heightened state of awareness of the problem of child abuse following the Jimmy Savile scandal is behind the rise.

5. KENT TOWN PUTS UP CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

A town in Kent is the first in the country to put up its Christmas lights – 121 days before December 25. Tenterden Chamber of Commerce has decorated a tree with around 1,500 lights and said they will remain lit for the next four months until Christmas Day. "It's still more than 100 days until Christmas and the sun is still blazing away,” said one resident.

6. FIRST ARRESTS IN HORSEMEAT PROBE

Detectives investigating the horsemeat contamination scandal have made their first arrests following a series of nationwide raids. Officers have arrested two men and interviewed another two under caution. Last month, MPs condemned the slow pace of investigation, with no prosecutions six months after the problem was first identified.

7. NO CHARGES OVER TASERING OF BLIND MAN

The police officer who shot a 63-year-old blind man with a 50,000-volt Taser because he mistook his white stick for a samurai sword will not face any criminal action. The victim, who is registered blind after suffering two strokes and walks at a “snail’s pace”, said he was “stunned” that no prosecution will take place.

8. TRAIN COMPANY SUES OVER DEMENTIA DEATH

A rail company in Japan is suing the relatives of a 91-year-old man with dementia who wandered onto a track and was killed by a train. Four of his children have been ordered to pay the equivalent of £47,000 in damages for the disruption to commuters. Thirty-four trains were cancelled, 20 delayed and 27,000 people were inconvenienced following the incident.

9. MOURINHO HINTS AT UEFA CONSPIRACY

José Mourinho has suggested he is the victim of a Uefa conspiracy after his Chelsea side lost to Bayern Munich in last night's Super Cup. "I have a fantastic experience of playing with 10 men in Uefa matches," said Mourinho after Ramires was sent off during the match. The tie was decided by a penalty shoot-out after it finished 2-2 after extra time.

10. GARETH BALE AGREES PERSONAL TERMS

Gareth Bale has agreed personal terms with Real Madrid ahead of a world-record move from Tottenham. Discussions are continuing over the fee for the 24-year-old Welshman, with a bid of £86m already submitted to Spurs. As well as that bid, which would be paid in instalments, the Spanish giants have tabled a £70m bid which would be paid in full straight away.