Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 2 Oct 2016

1. British scientists on the brink of HIV cure

British experts are on the brink of a cure for HIV. A British man with the virus hopes to become the first in the world to be cured by the use of a pioneering new therapy designed to eradicate HIV. If the therapy proves a success, it offers hope of an irreversible cure for HIV and could save the NHS millions of pounds.

2. Theresa May will enshrine EU law into British law

Theresa May says she will introduce a "Great Repeal Bill" in the next Queen's Speech which will overturn the act which took the UK into the EU. As the Tories gather for their annual party conference, the prime minister says the government will also enshrine all existing EU law into British law and anything deemed unnecessary will be abolished later.

3. Aleppo civilians brace for brutal 'final onslaught'

Civilians in the besieged eastern half of Aleppo are bracing for an onslaught ground assault by Syrian regime forces and their allies. Washington says they are signs that thousands of troops from across the Shia world - including regime troops, Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Hizbollah fighters and Afghan mercenaries - were massing for a final assault on the beleaguered territory.

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4. Former police officers to back miners over Orgreave

A group of retired police officers are to back miners over the 1984 ‘battle of Orgreave’. The officers, who clashed with strikers, are ready to reveal all about a "cover-up" as calls for public inquiry into claims of police conspiracy grow. On 18 June 1984, about 6,000 police officers are alleged to have used excessive force in a violent confrontation with pickets in South Yorkshire.

5. Poll: most Brits 'would prefer a soft Brexit'

A majority of people would rather the UK have a soft Brexit, with the country offering concessions on EU immigration in return for access to the single market, a poll for the Independent On Sunday has found. The study found that a large majority of people believe Theresa May’s support for the Remain camp during the EU referendum was either weak or passive.

6. Did BBC sack comedian 'for being white and male'?

The BBC is at the centre of a diversity row after one of its radio stars claims he was sacked for being "white and male". Jon Holmes alleges he was axed from Radio 4’s The Now Show when bosses told him "we're recasting it with more women and diversity". A BBC spokesman thanked Holmes for his "excellent" contributions, adding: "Our comedy shows are constantly evolving".

7. Jeremy Corbyn 'will keep allies in shadow cabinet jobs'

Jeremy Corbyn insists his allies must stay in frontbench jobs. The Labour leader’s robust stance underlines the weakness of rebels’ position, as he aims to have a full shadow cabinet by start of parliament on October 10. Some Labour MPs believe it is time to allow Corbyn to “succeed or fail on his own terms”, others believe another challenge must be made before 2020.

8. Farage flies to the US to coach Donald Trump

Nigel Farage has flown to the US to coach Donald Trump ahead of his next presidential debate with Hillary Clinton. The former Ukip leader will give the Republican hopeful tips on how to defeat the Democrat ahead of their second meeting in eight days' time. Sources say Trump has not grasped that he needs to win over voters who are not yet sold on him.

9. Tributes paid to Rangers fan who died in coach crash

Tributes have been paid to the man who died after a coach carrying Rangers fans overturned in East Ayrshire. The 39-year-old man has been named as Ryan Baird, originally from Northern Ireland. His cousin, Louise Evanne Baird, said he was "amazing" and would be "sadly missed". Police said a further 18 people were taken to hospital, and three were seriously injured.

10. Lord Bell ran vast $540m PR campaign in Iraq

Lord Bell’s PR agency was hired by the US military to orchestrate a massive $540m “covert” propaganda campaign in Iraq after the 2003 invasion. In what is thought to be one of the world’s most costly PR contracts, staff from Bell’s agency were based in Baghdad to spread pro-coalition material across the airwaves. Bell was previously credited with helping Margaret Thatcher win three elections.

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