Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 9 Sep 2013

1. RELINQUISH CHEMICAL WEAPONS, SYRIA TOLD

Russia is to tell its ally, Syria, to put its chemical weapons under international control in a bid to avert a US-lead strike. But US Secretary of State John Kerry said an "unbelievably small" strike was an essential measure that would degrade the Assad regime's chemical capability and make it clear it could not intimidate anyone it chose.

Russia urges Assad to relinquish chemical weapons to deter US

2. OSBORNE: ECONOMY IS ‘TURNING CORNER’

Britain is experiencing the fastest growth since the 1990s and the economy is “turning the corner”, George Osborne said. The Chancellor claimed the turnaround represented a “decisive” victory over Labour on public spending policy and said Labour's criticism of his austerity measures has been proven entirely wrong.

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George Osborne declares victory for his economic policy

3. BBC DIDN'T 'LOSE PLOT' OVER £1M PAY-OFF

Former BBC Director-General Mark Thompson told the Public Accounts Committee he had "not lost the plot" over the £1m pay-off given to his former deputy, Mark Byford. Thompson has accused the BBC Trust, headed by Lord Patten, of “fundamentally misleading” Parliament over the pay-offs.

Mark Thompson v Lord Patten: it all goes back to the Queen

4. MPS: BENEFITS OF HS2 ARE ‘DWINDLING’

The Commons Public Accounts Committee has said that the costs of the proposed high speed rail link between London and the north, HS2, are rising, while the scheme’s anticipated benefits are dwindling. The MPs said the Department of Transport was failing to present a “convincing strategic case” for the line.

5. HAWKING DESCRIBES MARRIAGE 'ANGUISH'

Stephen Hawking discusses the collapse of his first marriage and the "bitter acrimony" of his second in an autobiography, My Brief History, released on Thursday. The cosmologist details the "personal trauma" of life with first wife, Jane Wilde, and his "tempestuous" relationship with second spouse, Elaine Mason.

Stephen Hawking urges inquiry into Jeremy Hunt's NHS 'weekend effect' claims

6. MAN AGED 107 KILLED IN SHOOT-OUT IN U.S.

A 107-year-old man has been shot dead by police in Arkansas. Monroe Isadore was killed in a shoot-out after he allegedly fired on officers from a house in Pine Bluff. Police had been called there to answer a complaint of aggravated assault on Saturday evening. A SWAT team was then called to negotiate with Isadore.

7. HUHNE BLAMES PRESS FOR DOWNFALL

Former MP Chris Huhne has blamed a "new media aggression" in general, and the "Murdoch press" in particular, for his spectacular fall from grace. Huhne says he was targeted by the News of the World and the Sunday Times after he called for the re-opening of the police inquiry into voicemail hacking.

Huhne blames 'aggressive' Murdoch press for downfall

8. SERENA WILLIAMS WINS FIFTH U.S. OPEN

World number one Serena Williams yesterday beat Victoria Azarenka to win her fifth US open title, despite a difficult wind at Flushing Meadows. The 31-year-old has won 17 grand slam titles, still seven short of Margaret Court’s record. Williams beat the Belarusian, whom she defeated in last year’s final, 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 6-1.

9. BBC’S ‘STRICTLY’ BEATS X FACTOR RATINGS

The BBC’s ballroom spectacular Strictly Come Dancing has nudged ahead of ITV’s The X Factor in the Saturday night ratings after going head-to-head for the first time this year. The dance competition garnered 8.3m viewers while the talent show attracted 8.m. It was the first episode of Strictly but the second of X Factor.

10. HOT TICKET: DRONE DRAMA GROUNDED

‘Grounded’, a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe, has transferred to London. George Brant’s one-woman play stars Lucy Ellinson as a hot-shot US female fighter pilot whose life begins to unravel when she’s transferred to fly drones after falling pregnant. At the Gate Theatre, Notting Hill until 21 September. “Gripping,” says the Evening Standard.

US drone drama Grounded touches down in London