Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 29 Sep 2014

1. HK PROTESTERS REMAIN ON STREETS

Thousands of pro-democracy protesters remained on the streets in Hong Kong’s business district today, ignoring appeals to go home after a day of clashes with riot police, who fired tear gas and used batons to try to clear them. They shut down the city's business hub and there were demonstrations in other parts of the city. They want China to allow them to elect a mayor freely.

Hong Kong: police adopt tough tactics as protests escalate

2. OBAMA: U.S UNDER-ESTIMATED I.S THREAT

Barack Obama says the US underestimated the threat posed by the Sunni militants IS in Syria and Iraq. He told US TV show 60 minutes that the region had become a “ground zero” for the group, who had taken advantage of the power vacuum there. He said the solution must be political as well as military.

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Obama: we underestimated Islamic State

3. OSBORNE OUTLINES NEW BENEFITS FREEZE

George Osborne has unveiled plans to freeze benefits paid to people of working age for two years if the Tories win the next election, saving £3bn. He also told the party conference he would abolish the 55% tax rate on untouched ‘defined contribution’ pension pots inherited from pensioners under 75. The policy change will cost around £150m a year.

Death tax move and welfare cuts: Tories panic over Ukip jumpers

4. GHANI SWORN IN AS AFGHAN PRESIDENT

Ashraf Ghani has been sworn in as president of Afghanistan, in the country's first democratic transfer of power. Ghani finally replaced Hamed Karzai after a US-brokered deal with his rival Abdullah Abdullah, who had also claimed victory in this year's elections. The Taliban have condemned the deal and two bombs killed at leat 15 during the day.

Ashraf Ghani: what you need to know about Afghanistan's new president

5. TWITTER TROLL JAILED FOR CREASY ABUSE

A Twitter troll who sent abusive messages, including a threat to rape Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy, has been jailed for 18 weeks. Peter Nunn, 33, from Bristol, began abusing Creasy after she publicly backed the campaign to put Jane Austen on the £10 note. He also sent threatening messages to Caroline Criado-Perez, who began the campaign.

6. BORIS: TORIES JOINING UKIP ARE ‘UTTERLY NUTS’

Boris Johnson, mayor of London, says any Tory MP thinking about defecting to Ukip must be “utterly nuts”. After two high-profile defections, there have been press reports of more to come. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Johnson said defectors would let the UK “sleepwalk into a Labour government”.

Ukip theatricals: the Tory nightmare has barely begun

7. MP COMPLAINS OVER NEWMARK STING

Tory MP Mark Pritchard is to make a formal complaint against the “questionable techniques” employed by the Sunday Mirror after civil society minister Brooks Newmark resigned over explicit pictures he sent to an undercover reporter, who lured him using a photo of a Swedish model. The model, Malin Sahlen, says she feels "exploited" by the paper after her picture was used without permission.

Brooks Newmark 'sexting' sting: MP complains to Ipso

8. IRAQI ARMY HALTS I.S NEAR BAGHDAD

Iaqi forces, backed by air strikes, have halted an Islamic State advance near Baghdad. Militants had got as far as Amariya al-Falluja, just 40km from Baghdad before being halted. Meanwhile, US-led forces have continued air strikes against IS positions in northern and eastern Syria. They have also been targeting oil fields controlled by IS.

9. BUDGET CHAIN ALDI ENJOYS UK PROFIT BOOM

Discount German supermarket chain Aldi has announced record financial results in the UK, with its market share continuing to grow and a 50% rise in its group operating profits for 2013. The budget shop’s UK turnover reached a record high of £5.2bn, up from £3.89bn the previous year.

10. HOT TICKET: LUISA OMIELAN IN SOHO

Comedian Luisa Omielan's Edinburgh Festival show Am I Right Ladies? has transferred to the Soho Theatre, London. The sequel to her debut hit What Would Beyonce Do? explores the pleasures and perils of being a contemporary woman. "Hilarious," says Chortle. Until 4 October.

Am I Right Ladies – reviews of Luisa Omielan's comedy show