Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 31 Oct 2014

1. VICTIMS WANT WOOLF TO QUIT ABUSE INQUIRY

Victims’ groups are to warn officials putting together an inquiry into alleged historic child abuse by former senior UK politicians that they do not want Fiona Woolf, Lord Mayor of London, to head it. One group warned Woolf’s links to the political establishment of the time would make it a “whitewash”.

Child sex abuse inquiry: First public hearings finally begin

2. TWO MISSING AFTER FIREWORKS BLAZE

Two people are still missing and one man has been arrested after a fire at a fireworks factory in Stafford last night. The blaze at SP Fireworks, which started at about 5pm yesterday, was brought under control by 50 firefighters after it had injured four people. The fire service said it was working with the family of the missing people.

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Two people missing in firework factory fire – video

3. RBS PUTS ASIDE £400M FOR CURRENCY PROBE

The Royal Bank of Scotland, still majority-owned by the taxpayer, has put aside £400m to deal with an inquiry into allegations its traders manipulated the foreign exchange market. The decision follows Barclays reserving £500m for the same reason. RBS made a pre-tax profit of £1.27bn in the last quarter.

4. POLL: LABOUR WILL LOSE 90% OF SCOTS MPS

A new poll suggests Labour faces electoral wipe-out in Scotland in the 2015 general election, with up to 90% of its MPs likely to lose their seats in a backlash after the failed independence referendum. The Ipsos Mori poll for STV estimated what the result would be if a general election was held today.

5. LABOUR BEATS UKIP IN PCC BY-ELECTION

Labour has weathered a vigorous campaign by Ukip to win the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner by-election, triggered by the resignation of Shaun Wright in the wake of the Rotherham child abuse scandal. Labour received 50% of the vote and won in every local authority area, including Rotherham. Ukip finished on just under 32%.

6. LEADER OF BURKINA FASO RESIGNS

President Blaise Compaore has relinquished power in the West African nation following days of violent demonstrations by protesters calling for the end of his 77-year rule. The head of the country's armed forces has taken over control of the country until elections are held within 90 days.

What is happening in Burkina Faso?

7. RUSSIA-UKRAINE DEAL SECURES EU GAS

A deal brokered between Russia and Ukraine by the EU has resulted in Russia agreeing to turn back on the gas it pipes into its neighbour, securing the supply for European countries this winter. EU energy chief Guenther Oettinge said the deal might be the “first glimmer” of hope for peace in the region.

8. OSBORNE TO REPAY £218M OF WWI DEBTS

Chancellor George Osborne has announced the UK is to pay off some of its debts from the 1914-18 war, the first time part of the debt has been repaid for 67 years. The country still owes £2bn from WWI. Some £218m of that will now be repaid as part of a redemption of bonds from as long ago as the 18th century.

9. ATTACKS PROMPT FRENCH CLOWN BAN

A French town has instituted a ban on clowns for the month of November after a series of attacks across the country by people dressed as ‘evil’ clowns. In one incident in Montpellier, a youth hit a passer-by 30 times with an iron bar. The mayor of Vendargues said he wanted to avoid “disruption”.

10. HOT TICKET: ARTIST BIOPIC MR TURNER

Mike Leigh's biographical drama Mr Turner opens in UK cinemas today. Timothy Spall plays master landscape and seascape painter JMW Turner as he grapples with the personal and artistic trials and triumphs of the last 25 years of his life. "Supremely enjoyable," says the Daily Telegraph.

Mr Turner – reviews of 'glorious' artist biopic