Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 3 Nov 2014

1. UK MAN IN COURT OVER HK MURDERS

British banker Rurik Jutting, who resigned from a job at Merrill Lynch one week ago, has been remanded in custody over the deaths of two women whose bodies were found in his luxury Hong Kong apartment. One of the two, believed to be sex workers, had been stuffed in a suitcase and dead for "some time".

Rurik Jutting guilty of Hong Kong double murder

2. MERKEL WARNS PM OVER IMMIGRATION

German chancellor Angela Merkel has warned David Cameron that she would rather see the UK leave the EU if he insists on introducing migration curbs, according to a report by German magazine Der Spiegel. She is said to have told the PM that the UK is approaching the "point of no return" over Europe.

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Merkel ready to let UK exit EU over migration rule changes

3. TAXPAYERS TO GET SPENDING BREAKDOWN

Millions of taxpayers will this week start receiving a summary breakdown of how their contributions have been spent. The government hailed the measure as a "revolution in transparency". The TUC has dismissed it as "party political propaganda masquerading as neutral information", however.

4. VIRGIN SPACE CRASH: FAULT INVESTIGATED

An initial investigation by air crash investigators examining the wreckage of Friday's Virgin Galactic crash has found that the craft's 'feathering' function, which helps it descend safely, was deployed too early. Air safety chief Christopher Hart said the device activated without a command from the pilots.

Virgin Galactic defends safety record after fatal crash

5. ALISTAIR DARLING TO STEP DOWN AS MP

Former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling has announced he will stand down as an MP at the 2015 general election. The 60-year-old was the only person to serve continuously as a minister throughout all the years of Labour government from 1997 on. He also led the campaign against Scots independence.

6. LIVING WAGE RAISED TO £7.85 PER HOUR

The UK living wage - a voluntary hourly rate suggested as a minimum for employers - has been raised by 20p to £7.85. The actual minimum wage remains at £6.50. The living wage is calculated to cover the basic costs of living. More than 1,000 employers across the country have agreed to pay the wage.

Living wage rises to £7.85, but 5 million workers still underpaid

7. BURKINA FASO: ARMY PROMISES GOVERNMENT

The army in Burkina Faso has promised it will introduce a "transitional body" to govern the country. Yesterday, the army's seizure of power after president Blaise Compaore resigned sparked violence on the streets. At least one demonstrator was killed. The UN has condemned the military takeover.

What is happening in Burkina Faso?

8. POPPY CADET BURNED IN MANCHESTER

A 15-year-old Army cadet who was selling poppies for Remembrance Day at a bus stop in Manchester on Saturday has been lucky to escape without serious injury after a man sprayed him with lit fumes from an aerosol can. Police are looking for the man, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

9. TIGHTROPE WALKER CROSSES CHICAGO SKY

US tightrope walker Nik Wallenda, who has already crossed the Grand Canyon and Niagra Falls, yesterday completed two back-to-back walks high over Chicago. He did the two crossings with no safety harness or safety net. The event was televised with a ten-second delay in case Wallenda fell to his death.

10. HOT TICKET: 'TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE

A revival of John Ford's 17th-century tragedy 'Tis Pity She's a Whore has opened at the Globe's Sam Wannamaker Playhouse, London. A much-courted beauty begins an incestuous relationship with her brother, but their love is condemned by a hostile world. "A scorcher," says the Daily Telegraph. Until 7 December.

'Tis Pity She's a Whore – reviews of 'glittering' revival