Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 29 Sep 2015

1. Scientists take 'big step' towards blindness cure

British surgeons developing a cure for blindness have successfully carried out a ground-breaking operation at London's Moorfields Eye Hospital using human stem cells. The method is being hailed as a “big step forward” in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, a common condition that affects 600,000 people in the UK.

Stem cell trial: have scientists discovered a cure for blindness?

2. Corbyn: Labour must 'stand up against prejudice'

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has urged the party to "stand up against prejudice" and "build a kinder politics" in his address to the party conference in Brighton. He also called for "grown-up politics" and dismissed claims of a "split" within the shadow cabinet, although he repeated his opposition to renewing Trident, something that puts him at odds with others in the party.

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Jeremy Corbyn is a 'disaster', says Stephen Hawking

3. US and Russia disagree over Syria at UN

Moscow is considering whether to follow the US and its allies in air strikes against Islamic State targets, Vladimir Putin has announced. The president spoke after meeting Barack Obama on the sidelines of the UN general assembly. The meeting was described as "very constructive", but the public pronouncements highlighted divisions over how to end the Syrian war.

US and Russia spar over vetoed Syria sanctions

4. UK jihadists in Syria face UN sanctions

Four British jihaditss fighting for Islamic State in Syria have been placed under UN sanctions at the request of the UK government. Omar Hussain from High Wycombe, Nasser Muthana from Cardiff, Aqsa Mahmood from Glasgow and Sally-Anne Jones from Kent, have had their assets frozen and face a global travel ban. The government hopes the move will act as a deterrent to other Britons.

British Islamic State jihadists hit with UN sanctions

5. Fifa corruption: Jack Warner banned for life

Former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner has been banned from football for life by the organisation. The 72-year-old Trinidadian has been a key figure in the various scandals to have engulfed Fifa in recent years. He quit the organisation in 2011 after a series of allegations against him. He is currently awaiting extradition to the US on corruption charges.

Michel Platini will resign at Uefa's next congress

6. Jamaica asks UK for billion-pound compensation

Jamaica is calling for Britain to pay billions of pounds in reparations for slavery. However, Downing Street says David Cameron does not believe compensation or apologies are the right approach ahead of his first official visit to the island, where he will address the Jamaican parliament. Britain has never accepted the case for any compensation payments.

7. Paul Walker’s daughter to sue Porsche

The daughter of actor Paul Walker is to sue Porsche. Meadow Rain Walker has filed a lawsuit claiming the car her father was in when he died had several significant design flaws. The 16-year-old is suing the carmaker for unspecified damages, arguing that defects in the Porsche Carrera GT meant he was trapped in the vehicle after the crash.

Will Paul Walker's character return to Fast & Furious?

8. Saudi royal calls for regime change

A Saudi royal has called for regime change in Riyadh. The plea, from the grandson of the state’s founder, has come amid tumbling oil prices, conflict in Yemen and a loss of faith in the leadership of King Salman. The double tragedy in Mecca – the collapse of a crane that killed more than 100, followed by a stampede last week that killed 700 – has raised concern.

Saudi coup: prince calls for regime change in Riyadh

9. Fake Sheikh Mahmood charged over Tulisa trial

Tabloid reporter Mazher Mahmood, better known as the Fake Sheikh, has been charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice, after the trial of singer Tulisa Contostavlos, who he had accused of brokering a cocaine deal, collapsed. The undercover journalist, who used to work for the News of the World, is said to have misled the court. Mahmood denies the charge.

10. Briefing: why was the Battle of the Somme so significant?

A public ballot to attend the official commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme is now open. But what is being commemorated and why is it so significant? One of the deadliest battles in history, the Somme came to embody all the horror of the First World War. The engagement became a byword for senseless slaughter as the Allies gained just six miles over 141 days of bloodshed. An official commemoration service is set to be held at the Thiepval Memorial, near the site of the battle in northern France.

Why the Battle of the Somme was so significant