Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 10 Oct 2014

1. UKIP HAILS CLACTON BY-ELECTION WIN

Ukip has claimed its first elected MP, with Douglas Carswell taking the seat of Clacton by 12,404 votes. Carswell, who defected from the Tories, said UKIP's success reveals a "profound change in British politics". In the evening’s other by-election, Labour held on to Heywood and Middleton but UKIP slashed its majority to 617.

Ukip hails Clacton by-election triumph

2. WHO WARNS OF ‘ACCELERATING’ EBOLA

Ebola is “entrenched and accelerating” in West Africa, warns the World Health Organization. Deputy head Bruce Aylward says that the world's response is not keeping up with the disease in West Africa, where it has killed more than 3,860 people. Passengers arriving at Heathrow and Gatwick airports and Eurostar train terminals are to be screened for signs of the virus.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Ebola: US suit stockpile causes shortage in Africa

3. SCIENTISTS CLOSE TO DIABETES CURE

Scientists are within touching distance of a cure for diabetes after developing a treatment that eliminates the need for sufferers to inject insulin. In a landmark breakthrough, scientists at Harvard University have discovered how to make vast quantities of insulin-producing cells. “We are now just one pre-clinical step away from the finish line,” said professor Doug Melton.

4. DOES ANCIENT PROPHECY FUEL I.S?

US air strikes have stalled the advance of Islamic State, says a local official in the besieged Syrian Kurdish border town of Kobane. The official says the militants have been pushed back after the strikes. Meanwhile, it is claimed that an ancient Sunni prophecy that sees an "infidel horde" battling an Islamic army in the Syrian town of Dabiq is motivating IS fundamentalists.

5. GORBACHEV ‘FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE’

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev is fighting for his life in hospital, say Russian news agencies. The 83-year-old ushered in the sweeping reforms known of glasnost and perestroika after becoming Soviet leading in 1985. "My health is deteriorating,” he is quoted as saying. "You know my character. I am determined to fight for my life."

6. QUEEN MAKES ANGELINA JOLIE A DAME

Angelina Jolie has been made an honorary dame by the Queen for her work campaigning against sexual violence and services to UK foreign policy. The 39-year-old actress, who is a special envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and co-founded the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative in 2012, was presented with the award at Buckingham Palace.

7. MALALA JOINT WINNER OF NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012 for campaigning for education for girls, has won the Nobel peace prize, alongside Indian Indian child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi. The pair won for their "struggle against the suppression of children and young people". Malala becomes the youngest winner of the prize at just 17.

Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi win Nobel peace prize

8. NORTH KOREA: NO SIGN OF KIM JONG-UN

North and South Korea have exchanged gunfire across their land border after activists from the South released balloons carrying leaflets condemning the regime of Kim Jong-un. Meanwhile Kim, who has not been seen for more than a month, missed another public appearance when he failed to attend the ruling Workers' Party's anniversary celebrations in Pyongyang.

Kim Jong Nam death: murder trial begins in Malaysia

9. MICROSOFT BOSS IN WOMEN'S PAY GAFFE

Microsoft boss Satya Nadella has apologised after he appeared to tell female staff at a conference not to ask for a pay rise, saying it was "good karma" to have "faith in the system". Nadella described his words as "inarticulate" on Twitter and emailed an apology to staff. "If you think you deserve a raise, you should just ask," he wrote.

10. HOT TICKET: BELFAST THRILLER '71

Historical action thriller '71 opens in UK cinemas today. Jack O'Connell stars as a new British Army recruit, separated from his unit during a riot in Belfast, who must get back to barracks before he is discovered by the IRA. "Riveting," says The Scotsman.

'71 – reviews of 'riveting' Belfast survival thriller