Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 8 Oct 2014

1. UK SENDS MILITARY TO FIGHT EBOLA

The UK is to send 750 military personnel to Sierre Leone to help tackle the Ebola crisis. They will help build a treatment facility in the West African country. A medical ship and three helicopters will also be sent. The move comes as the US introduces Ebola screening at airports and a Spanish nurse remains in hospital in Madrid. The WHO says more cases in the West are "inevitable".

Ebola: US suit stockpile causes shortage in Africa

2. CLEGG: LIB DEMS CAN HOLD HEADS HIGH

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said his party could go into next year's general election with their "heads held high" and said he would not attempt to "distance" his party from the Lib Con Coalition's record. The Deputy Prime Minister attacked the "bitter tribalism" of British politics said without the Lib Dem's influence the country would be "meaner, poorer and weaker".

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3. WAITING LIST TARGET FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Nick Clegg also used his speech to announce waiting list target times for people with mental health issues in England for the first time. From next April, those suffering depression should receive ‘talking therapies’ within 18 weeks. Young people with psychosis would be seen within 14 days, the same target as for cancer patients, he said.

4. KURDS AND I.S FIGHT ON STREETS OF KOBANE

Fierce gun battles were raging in the Syrian town of Kobane today as Kurdish fighters sought to repel Islamic State militants. The Kurds have been backed by US air strikes against IS, who would take full control of a long stretch of the Syrian-Turkish border if they seize the town. In Turkey, at least 12 people have died in protests over government inaction.

5. LAWSUIT MAY GIVE CHIMPS ‘HUMAN’ RIGHTS

A New York court case brought by an animal rights group will decide whether chimps deserve “legal personhood” and the protections that go with it. The case, the first of its kind, revolves around Tommy, a chimp kept by his owner in a cage in upstate New York. Tommy’s owner says he is well looked-after.

6. WONGA TV ADVERT BANNED BY ASA

Payday lender Wonga, which is considering a name-change after its reputation was damaged by a court ruling it must pay charges back to some customers, is facing another blow: the Advertising Standards Authority has banned its latest TV advert for not revealing true interest rates on loans.

7. CHURCHILL PICTURES OFFERED TO NATION

Thirty-eight pictures painted by Winston Churchill, war-time PM, are being offered to the nation after the death of his youngest daughter, Lady Mary Soames, in May. Churchill discovered painting at the age of 40 and rarely travelled without paints afterwards. He gave his pictures to world leaders as gifts.

8. FEARS OF I.S TERROR PLOT IN LONDON

Four men arrested in anti-terror raids in London on Tuesday were allegedly plotting an Islamic State-inspired attack in the capital, possibly involving beheadings. it is reported that at least one of the group had travelled to Syria and is said to have links to IS. The UK's terror threat assessment level was recently raised to "severe".

IS 'plot to attack UK foiled': how serious is the threat?

9. DEWANI TRIAL HEARS FROM ANNI KILLER

The trial of Shrien Dewani, accused of murdering his bride Anni while on honeymoon, has heard from one of her killers, Mziwamadoda Qwabe. He told the court that the cost of the hit was 15,000 rand - £834 - and that he was asked to take part by taxi driver Zola Tongo, who had met with Dewani. Tongo and Qwabe are both in prison over the murder.

Shrien Dewani: will inquest resolve unanswered questions?

10. HOT TICKET: EMIN AT WHITE CUBE

A major new exhibition of work by Tracey Emin, The Last Great Adventure is You, opens today at the White Cube gallery, Bermondsey. It features drawings, bronze sculptures, gouaches, large-scale embroideries and neon works examining Emin's personal life and career. "A masterclass," says The Guardian. Until 16 November.

Tracey Emin – reviews of 'moving' White Cube show