Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 15 Sep 2015

1. Corbyn accuses Conservatives of 'social cleansing'

Jeremy Corbyn has used his first speech as leader of the Labour Party to accuse the Conservatives of being "poverty deniers" for who austerity was a "political choice", adding that welfare cuts amounted to a form of "social cleansing". He insisted that Labour could win the 2020 election by putting forward a "vision of a better society".

PMQs: what will happen as Jeremy Corbyn makes debut?

2. US criticises Russian military build-up in Syria

American officials have warned of a military build-up in Syria caused in part by Russia sending tanks and artillery to help Vladimir Putin’s old ally Bashar al-Assad. A US source told AFP that Putin has sent seven tanks in the last few days and added that there are “hundreds” of Russian troops in the country, with housing for 1,500.

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

3. North Korea announces nuclear reactor

North Korea says its main nuclear reactor is now in full operation, in a statement designed to provoke the US and other states. As well as the Yongbyon nuclear facility, the reclusive country says it is improving its nuclear weapons “in quality and quantity” and is ready to face American hostility with “nuclear weapons at any time”.

North Korea detains another US citizen

4. Hungary: new migrant laws take effect

Hungary has brought in tough new anti-migration laws which allow police to detain anyone who tries to breach the razor-wire fence it has built along part of the border with Serbia. The country has also declared a state of emergency in two southern counties. Thousands of refugees and other migrants have crossed over in recent months.

Islamic State targets vulnerable refugee children for recruitment

5. Australia swears in Malcolm Turnbull as PM

Australia has a new prime minister today after a surprise political coup by the Liberal Party’s Malcolm Turnbull who took power from his close friend Tony Abbott, who had never enjoyed much popularity with the general public. Taking office as the fourth PM since 2013, Turnbull said now is “the most exciting time to be an Australian”.

Who is Malcolm Turnbull, Australia's new prime minister?

6. London still top city for universities worldwide

London has kept its ranking as the city in the world with the most top universities, as a new league table for 2014 is unveiled by QS World. The capital has four institutions in the global top 40: University College London in seventh place, Imperial in eighth, Kings College London in 19th and the London School of Economics in 35th.

7. Electricity pylons to be removed from scenic areas

Electricity pylons are to be removed from four scenic locations in England and Wales. Overhead power lines will be replaced by underground cables around Winterbourne Abbas in Dorset, and in parts of the New Forest, Peak District and Snowdonia National Parks. The National Grid has set aside £500m for the project.

8. UK inflation rate back down to zero

The UK inflation rate is back at 0% according to the Office of National Statistics. The Consumer Price Index was at zero in August, after rising to 0.1% in July. The fall was down to a smaller rise in clothing prices from a year ago and cheaper fuel prices. The supermarket price war has also kept prices low. The Retail Prices Index measure rose to 1.1% from 1.0% in July.

Pound plunges after Bank of England's dovish rates signal

9. Cider firm offers ‘bottle for bucket of apples’

A cider maker in Scotland is offering a free bottle to customers who bring a bucket of apples for its presses. The East Lothian firm, Thistly Cross, says it wants to reduce waste - many apples grown in the UK are not used. Any variety of apple is welcome except crab apples. Teetotal customers can take home a bottle of apple juice.

10. Briefing: Putin 'preparing to sideline' long-time ally Assad

Russia may be preparing to sideline Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in an attempt to oust Islamic State and maintain influence in the region, officials in the US, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Syria have said. Negotiations aimed at easing Vladimir Putin's long-time ally out of power have been going on behind closed doors for months, but in public Russia and the US remain divided on how to end the conflict in Syria. Asked if Putin would accept Assad staying on in a purely ceremonial role, the Russian leader's spokesperson said that "only the Syrian people can decide the fate of Syria, not some outside countries"

US and Russia spar over vetoed Syria sanctions