Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 4 Oct 2014

1. ISIS BEHEADS AID MAN ALAN HENNING

British aid volunteer Alan Henning has been beheaded by an Isis militant. In a video released on the internet, the 47-year-old is seen kneeling in the desert setting before being beheaded in front of the camera. David Cameron said the murder proved "just how barbaric and repulsive these terrorists are". The killer says Henning’s blood is “on the hands of the British parliament”.

2. WHITEHALL PREPARES FOR HUNG PARLIAMENT

Senior civil servants are preparing for a possible hung parliament next May as the results of opinion polls get ever tighter. A YouGov poll on Thursday put the Tories ahead by one point, but a Populus poll just a few hours later handed Labour a five point lead. Whitehall officials are considering how to deal with two general elections in swift succession and an emergency budget.

3. BABY BORN FROM DONATED WOMB

A Swedish woman has given birth to a baby boy using a transplanted womb - a medical first. British medical journal The Lancet reports that the baby was born prematurely last month. The 36 year-old mum, who was born without a uterus, was donated a womb by a friend in her 60s. The boy's father said: “He's no different from any other child, but he will have a good story to tell."

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4. THUGS BASH HONG KONG PROTESTORS

Pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong were beaten by thugs on Friday night, reports The Guardian. Student leaders have called off talks with the government, accusing officials of allowing the violence to take place. Protest leaders blamed triads for the violence in Mong Kok. Police officers deny claims they colluded with those who used violence against the demonstrators.

5. UKIP THREATEN TORIES IN 100 SEATS

Ukip could nick three seats from the Conservatives and undermine the party's chances in more than a hundred others, researchers predict. The Fabian Party research showed that Labour is also losing votes to Ukip, with Ed Miliband’s party’s standing being dented in 83 seats and at serious risk of seeing Great Grimsby switching to Ukip.

6. ARGENTINES: 'WE'LL BARBECUE’ CLARKSON

Jeremy Clarkson was forced to flee Argentina as angry protestors threatened to “barbecue him”, says the Daily Mail. The ever-controversial Top Gear host was forced out by Falklands War veterans after driving a car with the number plate H982 FKL – a seeming reference to the 1982 conflict. Clarkson insists the number plate was not deliberately chosen.

Jeremy Clarkson in Falklands number plate row

7. ‘EXAM FACTORIES' STRESSING KIDS

Schools are becoming “exam factories” that leave children “too stressed” to learn, according to a letter signed by 400 parents, teachers and children’s writers. The signatories, including several experts in their fields, write that they are becoming “increasingly concerned at the pressure that is being placed on our children”, especially by the testing regime.

8. RECKLESS MOVES FAMILY INTO HIDING

Mark Reckless, who defected from the Tories to Ukip last week, has moved his wife and children into hiding. Ukip leader Nigel Farage said the move was taken after Reckless’ relatives faced “nasty, unpleasant abuse”. The defector has faced an onslaught of criticism since he announced his move on the eve of the Conservative Party conference.

9. EX-WIFE HECKLES MCEWAN AT FESTIVAL

Ian McEwan was heckled by his ex-wife at a literary festival. The author, whose marriage to Penny Allen ended acrimoniously in 1995, was shouted at by her during a Q&A session. “I have a question,” she said. “Why don’t you tell people about the injunctions and superinjunctions you have taken out on me...” As the audience reacted, McEwan was heard to mutter: “It’s my ex-wife…”

10. JOEY BARTON: ARSENAL LACK ‘SPINE’

Manchester City hope to heap pressure on leaders Chelsea by beating Aston Villa in the tea-time kick-off today. Victory would put the champions within two points of Mourinho’s men, who face Arsenal tomorrow. Meanwhile, Joey Barton has claimed that the current Gunners squad has “no spine or character”. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said rival managers “had Wenger on toast”.