Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 6 Oct 2014

1. CABLE ATTACKS 'CUT-OBSESSED' TORIES

Pro-democracy protests are continuing in Hong Kong but demonstrators have allowed commuters to pass their encampments and get back to work. Sky News said the protesters were “standing their ground” but the BBC said their numbers appeared to have “dwindled” overnight, with only a few hundred left.

Hong Kong: police adopt tough tactics as protests escalate

2. MCCANN 'ABUSER' FOUND DEAD IN HOTEL

A woman who told Sky News she was “entitled” to post messages attacking the parents of missing girl Madeleine McCann on Twitter has been found dead in a Leicester hotel. Brenda Leyland, 63, had been confronted by Sky outside her home days earlier. Her messages were said to be abusive.

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McCann family 'troll' found dead after Sky interview

3. CABLE ATTACKS 'CUT-OBSESSED' TORIES

Business secretary Vince Cable, speaking at the Lib Dem party conference, has accused the Conservatives of being "obsessed" with spending cuts and said he could "categorically not go along with" plans for a further £25bn in cuts. He also announced plans give the country’s lowest-paid apprentices a £1-an-hour pay rise.

Don’t be fooled by Clegg: new Tory pact is on the cards

4. THOUSANDS WITHOUT POWER AFTER STORMS

Hundreds of homes have been left without power after storms hit the west of the UK. Gusts of up to 70mph were recorded in Londonderry, 64mph in Cumbria and 63mph in Gwynedd. Street lights were brought down in Northern Ireland and there were floods in south Wales. Train services in the North West and Scotland were affected after damage to overhead lines.

5. F1 DRIVER BIANCHI 'CRITICAL BUT STABLE'

Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi is in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital in Japan after surgery on a "severe" head injury sustained in Sunday's Grand Prix, which was cut short after his accident. The 25-year-old, who drives for Marussia, is on a respirator in intensive care after the crash in which he hit a recovery vehicle by the side of the track.

Jules Bianchi crash: questions for F1 as driver fights for life

6. DEWANI HONEYMOON MURDER TRIAL STARTS

Shrien Dewani, accused of arranging the murder of his wife Anni during their honeymoon in 2010, has revealed he is bisexual on the first day of the trial in South Africa. The British businessman denies charges including murder, kidnapping and obstructing justice. He said his "whole world came crashing down" when Anni was shot dead near Cape Town.

Shrien Dewani: will inquest resolve unanswered questions?

7. POST MORTEM FOR ALICE GROSS SUSPECT

Tests are to be conducted today on the badly-decomposed body of Arnis Zalkalns, the main suspect in the murder of 14-year-old Alice Gross. The Latvian builder was found hanged in dense woodland around a mile from the spot where the missing girl’s body had been concealed under logs in the river Brent.

8. ISLAMIC STATE CLOSES IN ON KOBANI

Islamic State militants are close to taking control of the town of Kobani on the border between Syria and Turkey it is claimed. Despite resistance from Kurdish fighters and US air strikes the militant group has taken control of Mistenur, the hill overlooking the strategically important town. IS has been camped outside Kobani for three weeks.

9. YAHOO READY TO INVEST IN SNAPCHAT

Tech giant Yahoo is close to investing millions of dollars in the mobile messaging service Snapchat, which has rejected takeover offers from Facebook and others in recent years. The investment could value the firm - which allows users to send photos and messages which quickly disappear - at about $10bn.

10. HOT TICKET: ELECTRA AT OLD VIC

A new production of Sophocles's tragedy Electra has opened at the Old Vic theatre London. Kristin Scott Thomas stars as Electra, the grief-stricken daughter of Agamemnon, consumed by a desire for revenge against his murderers: her mother and stepfather. "Devastatingly brilliant," says The Independent. Until 20 December.

Electra – reviews of a Kristin Scott Thomas 'tour de force'