Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 31 Oct 2015

1. Shaker Aamer plans to sue the UK government

Shaker Aamer, the UK resident released after spending almost 14 years incarcerated without trial at Guantánamo Bay, plans to sue the British government over its alleged complicity in his mistreatment. He will issue a claim for damages from the UK’s security and intelligence agencies, whose officers quizzed him three times while he was at the US detention facility in Cuba.

2. Deadly fires sweeps Bucharest nightclub

At least 27 people have been killed after fire broke out at a nightclub in Bucharest, officials say. Most of the victims were teenagers or young people. Emergency services say 155 people were being treated in hospitals in the Romanian capital. The blaze happened at the Colectiv club on Friday night, causing a panicked stampede for the exit.

3. Morrisons to donate leftover food to the poor

Morrisons is to become the first supermarket to donate all of its edible surplus food to charity. A report by the British Retail Consortium, which represents major traders, found that last year supermarkets threw away 180,000 tonnes of food. FareShare, a charity which redistributes surplus food, estimates that the figure for the food industry as a whole could be more than double that.

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4. Deaths under microscope amid NHS 111 scandal

The deaths of up to 25 patients are being investigated following an NHS scandal which saw ambulances delayed deliberately for patients with “life-threatening” conditions, a whistleblower told the Telegraph. Senior managers at South East Coast Ambulance trust were warned repeatedly that their “rogue operation” to downgrade 111 calls was risking lives.

5. Did Harry/Louis rift tear One Direction apart?

One Direction are going their separate ways after a bitter rift between band members Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson caused enormous tension in the band, claims The Sun this morning. “The biggest issues in the band can be traced back over three years to an irreconcilable falling-out between their two most influential members,” says the report.

6. Ukip to target Corbyn’s monarchy position

Ukip plans to home in on Jeremy Corbyn’s “disdain for the monarchy and the military” in a by-election vote triggered by the death of a veteran Labour MP. According to the Daily Telegraph, Ukip is preparing to go “hell for leather” as it attacks the Labour leader for being at odds with the values of working class voters in Oldham West and Royton.

7. Sunny autumn enables record UK wine profits

The UK wine industry is set to make £100m for the first time due to the unseasonably sunny autumn, claims The Express. Vineyards are expecting a bumper harvest after September saw 178.5 hours of sunlight – 25% increase on the average. “English wine makers across the country have increased by 50% the area under vine in the last three years,” said an expert.

8. Fashanu paid his brother to not come out

John Fashanu says he gave his brother Justin £75,000 to not come out as gay. The former Wimbledon striker made the admission to The Mirror a week after it emerged two top footballers – including an England star – plan to come out. “I gave him the money because I didn’t want the embarrassment for me or my family,” said Fash. “Had he come out now, it would be a different ball game.”

9. New bat species discovered at London museum

A new bat species has been discovered at Natural History Museum after 30 years. A museum spokesman said a CT scanner analysed its fragile bones. Zoologist Roberto Portela Miguez said the scan showed "spiky, sharp-edged teeth that would work like scissors". It has been named the Francis' Woolly Horseshoe Bat, after Charles Francis, who collected the specimen in 1983.

10. Rugby World Cup final will see history

History will be made way or the other at Twickenham on Saturday afternoon when Australia and New Zealand contest the final of the Rugby World Cup. No country has won the Webb Ellis Cup three times though the Aussies and Kiwis have two titles to their name. New Zealand are aiming to become the first team ever to retain the trophy.

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