Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 2 Nov 2013

1. TORY MINISTER'S OFFSHORE TAX DEAL

Tory minister Stephen Hammond used an offshore company to buy his second home, allowing him to cut his tax bill, reports the Daily Telegraph. Hammond used a company based in Gibraltar to buy a £500,000 villa in Portugal. This allowed him to avoid “a big hit of capital gains tax”, according to a senior tax expert. The disclosure will embarrass David Cameron, who has described legal tax havens as “morally wrong”.

2. TALIBAN LEADER KILLED BY DRONE

Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a drone strike on Friday. Mehsud, one of the world's most wanted terror chiefs, was killed along with four other people when missiles struck their vehicle in the north-western region of North Waziristan. Current Taliban commander Khan Said Sajna is widely tipped to become the new leader.

3. GAMBACINNI ARRESTED ON SEX CLAIMS

The veteran BBC broadcaster Paul Gambaccini has been arrested on suspicion of historical sexual offences. The 64-year-old answered questions in police custody as part of Scotland Yard's Operation Yewtree. A BBC spokesman says Gambaccini, who has been released on bail until January, denies the allegations against him. He will not be presenting his Saturday Radio 2 show for the “coming weeks”.

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4. VEIL BAN 'NOT THE BRITISH WAY'

Banning the veil would be like outlawing miniskirts, says Baroness Warsi. Britain's most senior Muslim politician told the Daily Telegraph that such a ban would not be “the British way” adding that allowing people to wear what they want was the “basis of a free society”. She said that those who wear the veil must apply “common sense” and accept there will be some careers which will not be appropriate for them.

5. LAX SUSPECT WANTED TO KILL 'PIGS'

A man has been killed and several others injured in a shooting at Los Angeles International Airport. Police say the gunman, who was armed with a semi-automatic rifle, opened fire near a security checkpoint. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Paul Ciancia, was taken into custody. He was said to be carrying a hand-written note stating he wanted "to kill” security officials and “pigs”.

6. CAMERON TO ACT ON WATER BILLS

The government is drawing up plans to stop water companies imposing above-inflation rises in bills. Following the controversy over fuel prices, water is set to become a hot political issue. The plan, which forms part of a crusade by David Cameron to see "household bills coming down", emerged as Ed Miliband signaled that water firms were also in his sights.

7. MAN UTD MONITOR BROOKLYN BECKHAM

Manchester United are monitoring the progress of David Beckham's son Brooklyn. The 14-year-old visited the club's training ground on Thursday and will attend more training sessions before a decision is made whether to offer him a place in the academy. Brooklyn has previously spent time with LA Galaxy, been on trial for Chelsea juniors and trained with QPR's youth teams.

8. MUSLIM EDL MEMBER THREATENED ASIANS

The only Muslim member of the far-right English Defence League has been fined after pleading guilty to using threatening language and behaviour towards a group of Asian men. Abdul Rafiq was fined a total of £245 following an incident at an EDL rally in Bradford last month. He told the court that it was he who was being threatened, stating: “There were about ten of them and one of me.”

9. BUT WHAT'S IN A NAME? PLENTY...

A new study suggests that your surname could have a significant on your chances of success in life. Researchers at the University of Cambridge have claimed that if your surname is King or Prince, you are more likely to land a managerial position. Their study of German workers found that those with surnames evoking nobility more frequently held managerial positions than those with everyday names.

10. MANUEL PELLEGRINI DROPS JOE HART

England goalkeeper Joe Hart has been dropped by Manchester City for today's Premier League game at home to Norwich City. A series of high-profile mistakes for club and country have heaped pressure onto Hart. Most recently, a clanger against Chelsea saw his side concede a late goal. Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has selected Hart's understudy Costel Pantilimon for today's match.