Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 14 Oct 2013

1. UK VISAS RELAXED FOR CHINESE TOURISTS

The government will make it easier for Chinese business leaders and wealthy tourists to visit the UK with a new 24-hour "super priority" visa system. Officials were said to be alarmed by figures showing wealthy tourists were shopping in Paris and other EU countries rather than London, with the UK's extra visa requirement off-putting.

Message to China: welcome to London if you're very, very rich

2. IMF: US DEFAULT RISKS GLOBAL RECESSION

Christine Lagarde, head of the IMF, has warned that a US default would result in "massive disruption the world over" and could tip the global economy into recession. With Thursday's debt deadline looming, US politicians have still not reached a deal. Talks on Sunday were said to be "productive", but broke up without agreement.

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3. DETECTIVES RELEASE MADDIE SUSPECT E-FITS

British police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann from the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz six years ago have released two e-fits of a man they believe could be of "vital importance" to their inquiry. They believe the images are of the same man, seen that night by two witnesses, but never questioned.

What happened to Madeleine McCann? A timeline of the case

4. FOUR ARRESTED IN ANTI-TERROR RAIDS

Four men were arrested last night after police raided homes in east and south London during a counter-terrorism operation. Six addresses across the capital are currently being searched. Scotland Yard said the raid was a "pre-planned, intelligence-led operation" and that the men are being held under the Terrorism Act.

Terrorism arrests: four held after raids on London addresses

5. RED CROSS WORKERS KIDNAPPED IN SYRIA

Six aid workers and a volunteer have been kidnapped by gunmen in northern Syria after their convoy was held up on the way to Damascus. The International Committee of the Red Cross said the team had been in Idlib to look at medical aid in the region. A spokesman could not say whether the government or rebel forces were to blame.

6. JIMMY SAVILE PROBE TO BE EXTENDED

Inquiries into allegations of sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile could be extended to more hospitals after police uncovered new information relating to the BBC star, the health secretary has said. Jeremy Hunt said new inquiries could be launched after the Metropolitan police found "further relevant information" about Savile.

7. KNIFE-WEILDING MAN AT PALACE

A 44-year-old man was arrested today after trying to enter Buckingham Palace's north centre gate while in possession of a knife. The Queen was not in residence at the time. Police said the man was arrested on suspicion of trespassing on a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon.

8. VICKY PRYCE: PRISON WAS 'BEARABLE'

Vicky Pryce, the economist imprisoned for accepting speeding points on behalf of her ex-husband, Chris Huhne, has told the BBC that while prison was "not a holiday" and it was "not pleasant have someone turn the key", innovations in the prison system had made the experience "a bit more bearable". She was promoting her book 'Prisonomics'.

9. FA DOUBLES QUOTA FOR POLISH FANS

The FA has sold 18,000 tickets to England's World Cup qualifier tomorrow to Polish fans - double the number usually given to away supporters. Prompted by huge demand among the Polish migrant population in the UK, the body increased the quota by 10,000. Poland cannot qualify but will be playing for "pride".

20,000 Polish fans at Wembley for World Cup showdown

10. HOT TICKET: THE WOLF AMONG US

A new episodic adventure videogame, The Wolf Among Us, has been released in the UK. Based on Bill Willingham's Fables comics, the game allows players to take on the role of sheriff Bigby Wolf and either protect other fairy-tale characters, all now living in a fictional corner of New York, or give into his wolf side. "Brilliant," says Joystiq.

Telltale's noir fairy-tale game The Wolf Among Us is 'brilliant'