Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 25 Oct 2015

1. Did Tony Blair just apologise for Iraq?

Tony Blair has made a partial apology for the Iraq war. Speaking to CNN, he said: “I apologise for the fact that the intelligence we received was wrong. I also apologise for some of the mistakes in planning.” Asked if the war caused the rise of ISIS, he said: “I think there are elements of truth in that.” But a spokesman for the former PM said there was nothing new in the interview.

2. George Osborne facing triple-headed trouble

George Osborne is facing a "triple whammy" with peers, Labour and Tory rebels all preparing to ambush his welfare bill, says the Sunday People. Meanwhile, the Sunday Telegraph says the chancellor is facing a backlash from three Cabinet ministers who are expressing "grave concerns" and have warned tax cuts may turn into a "poll tax-style error".

3. New tick disease may be unstoppable

A new illness spread by ticks and similar to Lyme disease has been discovered, says the Sunday Telegraph. Experts fear that the disease, which causes headache, fatigue, muscle aches and a recurrent fever is less responsive to antibiotics than similar illnesses. Carried by bacteria called Borrelia miyamotoi, it was found in 3 of 954 ticks tested at various sites across southern England.

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4. Tense stand-off over Beijing ‘spy’ and Queen

British and Chinese security found themselves in a tetchy stand-off during president Xi Jinping’s visit after a Beijing-based “spy” tried to get too close to the Queen, says The Sunday Times. The Chinese official, who posed as an official interpreter, was intercepted by members of the diplomatic protection squad, according to documents.

5. Firms forced to reveal bonus gender gap

Larger companies will be forced to reveal the amount men and women are awarded in bonuses as part of proposed legislation to reduce the gender pay gap. The regulations will apply to businesses in England, Wales and Scotland with more than 250 employees. The Chartered Management Institute said bonus gaps were "one of the biggest drivers" of gender pay discrepancy.

6. Should we stop turning the clocks back?

Campaigners are calling for Britain to stop turning the clocks back in autumn. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says that a spike in traffic accidents after late October suggests that we should be sticking with Daylight Saving Time. The practice of moving clocks back began in post-war Britain, when rations and the amount of coal factories used for daylight was a burning issue.

7. Children’s lungs stunted by pollution

The development and growth of children’s lungs are being stunted by the high levels of air pollution in parts of Britain’s cities, according to a pioneering study in The Sunday Times. It found that children living in areas with high levels of particulates and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from diesel cars, have up to 10% less lung capacity than normal.

8. Wenger joyful as Jose is sent to the stands

Arsene Wenger has described his week as "perfect" after Arsenal moved top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Everton. The victory followed Tuesday's 2-0 win over German champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho refused to speak to the media after he was sent to the stands during his side's 2-1 defeat by West Ham.

9. ‘Stalker’ visits Cumberbatch’s London home

The Sunday Mirror says a stalker has been turning up at Benedict Cumberbatch’s house and leaving “creepy” messages. The woman, thought to be a fan of the TV detective, has made several trips to the actor’s home. On at least two occasions she left red ribbons behind – one tied to the Sherlock star’s car, the other fastened to a window of the house.

10. All Blacks through to Rugby World Cup final

New Zealand are through to their fourth World Cup final after beating South Africa in another Twickenham epic. The reigning champions were five points behind at half-time with a man in the sin-bin as four penalties from Handre Pollard cancelled out Jerome Kaino's early try. But thanks to their experience and composure, says head coach Steve Hansen, they emerged triumphant.