Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 18 Sep 2015

1. Refugee crisis: Croatia cannot be 'migrant hotspot'

After welcoming refugees and migrants who had been frustrated by the closure of Hungary’s border with Serbia, neighbouring Croatia has now closed seven of its eight border crossings with Serbia in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants. PM Zoran Milanovic says migrants are now being "moved on" as Croatia cannot become a "migrant hotspot".

Islamic State targets vulnerable refugee children for recruitment

2. Fifa secretary-general suspended over corruption

Sepp Blatter’s right-hand man at Fifa, Jerome Valcke, has been suspended from his duties after The Guardian said it had seen documents which implicated him in corrupt ticket sales. The 54-year-old Frenchman has denied what he says are “fabricated, outrageous” claims. He will now be investigated by Fifa’s own ethics committee.

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Michel Platini will resign at Uefa's next congress

3. Labour’s McDonnell sorry for IRA remarks

John McDonnell has apologised “from the bottom of my heart” for remarks he made about he IRA in 2003 which have overshadowed his appointment to Jeremy Corbyn’s front bench. The shadow chancellor said he spoke of “honouring … the bombs and bullets and sacrifice” of the IRA in order to encourage republicans to seek peace.

4. Bank of England may cut interest rates

The Bank of England may be forced to cut interest rates rather than raise them later this year, as had been expected, because of the continuing threat of deflation. The bank's chief economist Andy Haldane warned that if UK growth slowed in the second half of the year and inflation did not pick up then rates could be cut to stimulate investment.

5. Sturgeon threatens Cameron with referendum

On the first anniversary of the Scottish independence referendum, Nicola Sturgeon has warned David Cameron he is living on borrowed time and told him to reverse welfare cuts and Trident or face a second vote on Scotland leaving the UK. While Scotland voted ‘no’ last year, polls suggest support for independence has grown.

Scottish independence: Is IndyRef2 'dead' after election losses?

6. US wants talks with Russia over Syria presence

President Obama is hoping to hold military talks with Russia over its presence in Syria, Secretary of State John Kerry has said. The US has been concerned about Russia's increased military presence in Syria. Moscow has said it would "consider" any request for troops in the war-torn country and claims it is helping Syria fight Islamic State militants.

7. Lidl to pay living wage to 9,000 staff

Discount supermarket chain Lidl is to pay the full living wage to its 9,000 UK staff, at a cost of some £9m, starting next month. The German company says the average wage rise for its employees will be 14% or £1,200 a year. Employees earn at least £7.30 an hour outside London. This will rise to £8.20 an hour - and £9.25 in London.

Argos named and shamed among minimum wage offenders

8. England v Fiji kicks off eighth Rugby World Cup

The eighth rugby World Cup will begin at Twickenham tonight at 8pm with England taking on Fiji. England are ranked fourth and Wales fifth and the defending champions are New Zealand. All the matches will be in England or Wales and some 2.3 million of 2.45 million tickets have been sold so far. The Cup ends on 31 October.

Rugby World Cup 2015: all the fixtures and TV schedule

9. Eight years for Breaking Bad ricin plotter

A man who tried to buy enough poison on the 'dark web' to kill 1,400 people has been jailed for eight years. Mohammed Ali, 31, was inspired to do the deal by the TV series Breaking Bad. He agreed to buy 500mg of deadly ricin, but did not realise he had struck a deal with an FBI agent. He was convicted after a trial at the Old Bailey earlier this year.

10. Briefing: what's changed one year on from the Scotland referendum?

Today marks the first anniversary of the Scottish independence referendum, when the majority of Scots voted to remain a part of the UK. One year on from the historic vote, there is continued debate about whether David Cameron has delivered on his promise of further devolution. Many in Scotland feel the changes have not gone far enough. During this week's Prime Minister's Questions, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson accused the prime minister of breaking his promise to Scotland. Cameron dismissed his accusation, insisting that "unprecedented devolution on taxes" was being sent to the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish independence: Is IndyRef2 'dead' after election losses?