Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 27 Oct 2015

1. Tax credit cuts: Osborne to 'listen' to Lords

The chancellor has said he will "listen" after the House of Lords blocked some aspects of his plans to cut tax credits to the working poor. The Lords stopped short of rejecting the proposals outright but insisted that they be delayed and that those who lose out must be compensated. Tory MPs have accused the Lords of acting out of turn.

Tax credit staff 'deal with suicidal callers every day'

2. NI teenager bailed over TalkTalk hack

Police in Nothern Ireland have released a 15-year-old boy on bail after he was arrested in connection with the hacking of phone company TalkTalk. He was taken into custody at a County Antrim police station and a house in the area was searched by police. The firm has lost around £360m in value since it admitted last week its customers' data had been stolen.

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3. China angry as US warship sails past reefs

China has said the US is acting "illegally" by sailing a warship within 12 miles of artificial islands in the South China Sea. The USS Lassen entered the disputed waters yesterday morning and the US said its mission would only take "a few hours". China has been building on reefs there despite objections from neighbouring states.

Tension as US warship sails by China's disputed islands

4. Ministers to lobby the EU on 'tampon tax'

The government narrowly avoided another defeat in the Commons last night by promising to lobby the EU on the so-called tampon tax. Women pay a levy of 5% on tampons and sanitary towels because the EU classes them as a non-essential 'luxury' items. Labour had tried to ammend the Finance Bill because it did not challenge this.

Tampon tax: ministers promise to raise issue in Brussels

5. UK growth rate falls in third quarter

The UK's rate of growth slowed to 0.5% in the third quarter of the year, according to government statistics. The manufacturing sector declined by 0.3% between July and September and is back in recession with output down 0.9% this year. The construction sector suffered its biggest fall in three years, as it dropped 2.2%. However, the service sector grew by 0.7% in the third quarter.

6. Afghanistan earthquake death-toll rises

More than 260 people are now known to have died in Monday's earthquake in northern Afghanistan. Most of the confirmed victims are from Pakistan but there are fears that the death toll will rise but rescue teams are struggling to reach people trapped in remote areas. There are fears the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan will hamper resuce efforts further.

Afghan earthquake: death toll soars as rescue efforts continue

7. Islamic State 'blows up' hostages in Palmyra

Islamic State has reportedly killed three captives in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra by tying them to Roman columns and blowing them up. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the executions took place on Sunday. Locals have not been given an explanation for the executions. The terror group have been systematically destroying historic structures at Palmyra.

8. EU data roaming charges to be abolished

Mobile phone roaming charges in the EU are to be scrapped after MEPs approved new rules. The ban on data roaming charges will come into force in JUne 2017 and next year a cap on charges will be introduced limiting phone companies to a surcharge of no more than 3.5p per minute for calls. The rules are designed to save consumers from large bills while using their phones abroad.

9. Briefing: how will the UK bank ring-fence work?

In the wake of the financial crisis, regulators want the big banks to split their investment arms from retail business. This means "the separation of their riskier 'casino banking' activities from the retail side that looks after your and my money," says The Times. This in turn will prevent there being a run on a bank as happened with Northern Rock - and so prevent taxpayers having to step in.

How will the UK bank ring-fence work?

10. Canada: whale-watching boat 'hit by wave'

The whale-watching boat which overturned on Sunday off the coast of Vancouver Island, killing five Britons, was capsized by a wave, a survivor is reported to have said. Two of the five victims have been named as David Thomas aged 50 from Swindon and his 17-year-old son Stephen. A 27-year-old man from Sydney remains missing. Locals have been credited with saving the 21 survivors.

Whale boat: 'phenomenal' rescue prevented bigger tragedy