Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 10 Sep 2014

1. PARTY LEADERS FIGHT TO SAVE UNION

David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg are all in Scotland today, campaigning for a No vote in next week's independence referendum. The Westminster leaders travelled and appeared separately. Cameron said he would be "heartbroken" by a Yes vote. SNP leader Alex Salmond said the visit would boost the Yes campaign.

2. SOME PATIENTS WAKE DURING SURGERY

The biggest ever study into general anaesthesia in the UK and Ireland has found around one in 19,000 patients report being conscious during surgery. Particular drugs and one particular procedure - caesarean section births - were found to have a higher risk. Some cases resulted in long-term psychological harm.

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3. OBAMA TO WIDEN CAMPAIGN AGAINST 'EVIL' IS

Barack Obama intends to widen the US offensive against the Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria without seeking the backing of Congress. The US has been supporting Iraqi and Kurdish forces but now wants to move into a "more offensive" phase of action. Secretary of State John Kerry today said the world could not watch the "evil" of IS spread.

Islamic State: its weapons and where it gets them

4. DEMENTIA CARE COST SOARS TO £26BN

Research by the Alzheimer’s Society shows that the cost of dementia care in the UK has soared to £26bn each year, which is the same as the combined energy bills of every household in the country. Two-thirds of the cost is met by families of sufferers who also provide 1.3 billion hours of care, unpaid.

5. APPLE: SMARTWATCH AND IPHONES REVEALED

Tech giant Apple has revealed its first new product line since the death of founder Steve Jobs, a ‘smartwatch’, the company’s first foray into ‘wearable’ technology. The device runs apps, helps people exercise and can ‘talk’ to a smartphone. The new iPhone 6 has a larger screen and comes in two versions.

Apple Watch Series 2: Specs, straps and all you need to know

6. MURDOCH SAYS PAGE 3 'OLD FASHIONED'

Rupert Murdoch, the owner of The Sun newspaper, has described as the paper's topless Page 3 feature as "old fashioned" and suggested that the models should wear clothes. The News Corp owner made the comments in a tweet in which he acknowledged that some readers "seem to disagree" with him. He made a similar comment last year.

7. SECRETS BELOW STONEHENGE REVEALED

An archaeological survey of the area around Stonehenge has discovered scores of new features, including previously unknown burial mounds, massive pits and ritual shrines. The results indicate that the prehistoric landmark did not stand alone, but was in an area alongside many other monuments erected over hundreds of years.

Stonehenge: project reveals secrets of what lies beneath

8. ASTRONAUT LIVING ON OCEAN FLOOR

An American astronaut, Jeremy Hansen, is spending a week living in an underwater research centre to prepare for life in space. Hansen is working at the Aquarius Reef Base in Florida, based 20m below the surface of the ocean. He goes on simulated ‘space walks’ every day, helping to survey the reef.

9. BRITON LORD HILL HANDED KEY EURO ROLE

David Cameron has welcomed the appointment of Jonathan Hill, former leader of the House of Lords, to a key role in the newly appointed European Commission. Hill will oversee the regulation of financial services in the EU after being chosen by new president Jean-Claude Juncker. The Commission is seen as the EU's most powerful institution.

10. HOT TICKET: LATE TURNER AT TATE

A new exhibition of Turner paintings, Late Turner: Painting Set Free, opens today at Tate Britain, London. It focuses on the art JMW Turner created in the last 15 years of his life, revealing his experimentation with new techniques and materials. “Entrancing,” says The Guardian. Until 25 January.

Late Turner – reviews of 'entrancing' Tate Britain show

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