Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 15 Oct 2014

1. HONG KONG: POLICE AND PROTESTERS CLASH

Police in Hong Kong have clashed with pro-democracy protesters as they tried to clear an underpass near government headquarters which the demonstrators had been occupying for weeks. Officers were filmed kicking and beating a handcuffed protester. Police have promised to investigate the incident.

Hong Kong: police adopt tough tactics as protests escalate

2. SECOND EBOLA CASE CONFIRMED IN TEXAS

A second health worker in Texas has tested positive for Ebola after treating a Liberian man who died of the disease last week, while Liberia's transport minister is in quarantine after her driver died from Ebola. US President Barack Obama was due to hold a video conference with world leaders on Wednesday after warnings that race to contain the virus is being lost.

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Ebola: US suit stockpile causes shortage in Africa

3. AUSTRALIAN RICHARD FLANAGAN WINS BOOKER

Australian author Richard Flanagan has won the Man Booker for his novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North. There had been fears US authors would dominate the £50,000 prize after a rule change made them eligible. Flanagan’s war epic was hailed as a “remarkable love story” by the jury.

Booker prizewinner 2014: a 'magnificent story of love and war '

4. MINISTER SORRY FOR DISABLED PAY REMARK

Welfare reform minister Lord Freud has issued a "full and unreserved apology", but has not resigned, after it emerged he told a meeting at the Tory Party conference that some disabled people were "not worth" the minimum wage. Labour leader Ed Miliband revealed the comments at PMQs. David Cameron said they were "not the views of the government".

5. UK UNEMPLOYMENT BELOW TWO MILLION

UK unemployment has fallen below two million for the first time in six years according to the Office of National Statistics. The number of jobless people fell by 154,000 to 1.97 million in the three months to August. The employment rate is now 73%, close to its all-time high of 73.2%. However, more than nine million people remain "economically inactive".

6. BONO APOLOGISES OVER U2 ALBUM ON ITUNES

U2 frontman Bono has apologised after the band's latest album was automatically added to the libraries of all iTunes users around the world. The free album was released at the same time as the new Apple iPhone last month, but many users objected and Apple was forced to release a tool to remove it. "We got carried away," admitted the singer.

7. DRONE OVER PITCH LEADS TO MASS BRAWL

A European qualifying match between Serbia and Albania had to be abandoned yesterday in Belgrade after a mass brawl prompted by a drone. The rotor-driven aircraft towed a pro-Albanian banner over the pitch which was caught by a Serbian player, prompting the two teams to fight each other.

Serbia v Albania ends in riot after drone flag stunt – video

8. UKIP COULD TAKE UP TO 30 SEATS, SAYS POLL

Growing right-wing political force Ukip could take up to 30 seats in the 2015 general election, according to analysis of recent polling and other data carried out by The Guardian. The 30-seat scenario is possible but unlikely - however, the party can count on at least five seats, three formerly Tory.

Cameron orders Tory blitz to stop Rochester going to Ukip

9. PISTORIUS: REEVA DEATH 'RUINED' PARENTS

The third day of Oscar Pistorius's sentencing has been hearing from the family of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, shot dead by the Paralympian last year. Reeva's cousin, Kim Martin, told the court how her death had "ruined" her parents. The prosecution has rejected calls for a non-custodidial sentence as "shockingly inappropriate".

Oscar Pistorius out of legal options as request to appeal rejected

10. HOT TICKET: ALL-FEMALE HENRY IV

A new all-female production of Shakespeare's Henry IV has opened at the Donmar theatre, London. Phyllida Lloyd directs this play-within-a-play where inmates of a women's prison stage Shakespeare's historical drama. Starring Harriet Walter. "Bracingly persuasive," says The Independent. Until 29 November.

Henry IV – reviews of 'bold' all-female Shakespeare