Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 14 Sep 2013

1. TALKS OVER SYRIA ENTER THIRD DAY

Tense talks between Russia and the US aimed at reaching agreement over Syria's chemical weapons are set to enter a third day. President Barack Obama is due to give a major television interview on Sunday morning, ahead of a widely anticipated report by UN weapons inspectors on Monday.

2. TAX ADVISER QUITS OVER PANORAMA FILM

A government tax adviser has resigned after it was revealed he had been secretly filmed offering tips on how to keep money "out of the chancellor's grubby mitts". David Heaton, who advised HMRC on tax avoidance, was filmed at a conference as part of a joint investigation by the BBC show Panorama and Private Eye.

3. 5P CHARGE FOR PLASTIC BAGS

A 5p charge for plastic bags in England is to be introduced by the government in a bid to discourage their use. The charge, which will apply at supermarkets and larger stores, will begin after the 2015 election, with the proceeds going to charities. Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg is to officially unveil the plans at the Liberal Democrat party conference this weekend.

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4. 'TOO POLITICAL' RSPCA FACES RUIN

The RSPCA has become “too political” and faces ruin, says its deputy leader. In an internal document leaked to The Times, Paul Draycott says the RSPCA risks driving traditional supporters to write it out of their wills and could disappear altogether within 10 years. Other charities, including War On Want, have been criticised in recent years for being overtly political.

5. 'BORING, SNORING' MINISTER BITES BACK

Shadow cabinet member Rachel Reeves, who was dubbed "boring, snoring" by the editor of Newsnight in a Twitter gaffe following her appearance on the show earlier this week, says he should “have some common decency”. Reeves said voters prefer a "chief secretary to the Treasury who can add up the numbers" to one with "a fantastic sense of humour or great wit".

6. MINISTER: ROMANIANS 'LIKE BRITS IN FRANCE'

Romanians in the UK are like “Brits with French villas”, says Liberal Democrat minister Jeremy Browne. “They are only complying with the same rules as British people who live in Spain or have holiday houses in France or who work in Germany,” he said. The remarks were immediately dismissed as “bonkers” and “total nonsense”.

7. POLANSKI VICTIM: 'WE'RE ON SAME TEAM'

The woman who Roman Polanski raped when she was 13 says she is still in touch with the director. Polanski fled to Europe the day before he was due to be sentenced for abusing Samantha Geimer. Now 50, Geimer says the pair exchange emails. “People are still coming after both of us. We’re both still being treated unfairly,” she says. “It makes sense to be on the same team.”

8. 75% 'WON'T VOTE FOR LIBERAL DEMOCRATS'

An internal party poll found 75% of voters will not support the Liberal Democrats come what may, reports the BBC. Meanwhile, chief secretary to the treasury Danny Alexander says private sector workers deserve pay rises to ensure they "share in the success" of the recovery, and business secretary Vince Cable says he intends to press for an increase in the minimum wage.

9. TRAINEE CITY 'LAD' FACES SACK OVER VIDEO

A trainee with City law firm Clifford Chance is facing the sack after a video emerged of him drunkenly describing his work as “f***ing people over for money”. The unnamed man, interviewed by an Oxford student online TV programme, says he is a “City lad”, adding: “I f***ing love the ladness. The ladness is just basically f***ing people over for money.”

10. ÖZIL SET FOR GUNNERS DEBUT

The Premier League returns this afternoon with new Arsenal signing Mesut Özil set to make his debut against Sunderland. Marouane Fellaini could make his debut for Manchester United against Crystal Palace in the lunchtime kick-off, with Manchester City travelling to Stoke and Chelsea away to Norwich.