Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 29 Oct 2016

1. Clinton 'confident' as FBI drops email probe bombshell

Hillary Clinton says she is "confident" a new FBI probe linked to her emails will maintain its original finding that she should not be prosecuted. News of the investigation comes just 10 days before the election. Clinton has called on the FBI to explain the new inquiry to American voters. The Times says there were "thunderous cheers" when Donald Trump announced the news to his supporters.

2. Cameron devised tax-lock policy 'on the hoof'

David Cameron's 2015 promise of a law against increasing income tax until 2020 was made "on the hoof", one of his advisers at the time has revealed. Ameet Gill added that the promise was "probably the dumbest economic policy" possible. Labour described it at the time as a "last-minute gimmick", saying it would make it harder to tackle the deficit.

3. Islamic State take 'tens of thousands' hostage

Islamic State fighters have taken "tens of thousands" of hostages and are marching them towards the city of Mosul for use as human shields, says the United Nations. As the battle for the group’s last major Iraqi stronghold intensifies, UN spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said the hostage-taking was aimed at making certain parts of Mosul "immune from military action".

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4. Mark Carney may announce resignation next week

Mark Carney may announce next week that he is to quit his job as governor of the Bank of England as he becomes an increasingly polarising figure in the post-Brexit debate. The Canadian could throw in the towel five years into his eight-year term, meaning he would leave in 2018. Rumours suggest Carney feels targeted by Downing Street because of his friendship with George Osborne.

5. Russian aggression reminiscent of Cold War, says minister

Russia’s aggression in the English Channel is like a return to the days of the Cold War, says Mike Penning, the Armed Forces minister. Penning said that Russia was "sending a message" by sailing an aircraft carrier and seven additional vessels through the Channel on their way to Syria. The minister says the UK will spend more on the military in the wake of Brexit.

6. Lily Allen 'declined taxi ride over immigration stance'

Lily Allen has described how she was turned away from a black cab after being told to "find an immigrant" to give her a lift. The singer wrote on Twitter she "had a glimpse of what it feels like to be discriminated against" after being spurned by the driver. She wrote: "The driver looked at me and said: 'Find an immigrant to drive you, you stupid tart.'"

7. Allow mobile phone roaming in UK, say MPs

Mobile phone companies should allow customers to roam between networks in areas of the UK where reception is poor, say MPs. The cross-party group revealed that foreign visitors get better coverage, as they are not tied to any provider, so can use the strongest signal. They claim that 17m customers have poor reception at home and named 525 areas with non-existent coverage.

8. Bob Dylan finally breaks silence over his Nobel Prize

Bob Dylan has ended his silence over his Nobel Prize in literature, saying he will accept the honour. He said news had left him "speechless". Although the foundation said it had not yet been decided if the singer would attend the awards ceremony in December, the singer-songwriter reportedly told a UK newspaper he intends to pick up the award in person "if at all possible".

9. Uber drivers win court battle over holiday pay

Uber drivers have won a court battle for holiday pay in a ruling with significance far beyond the ride-hailing app. Tens of thousands of self-employed workers could be eligible for holiday pay and a guaranteed minimum wage after the ruling questioned the business model of Uber. The judge accused the company of resorting to "fictions and twisted language" in its evidence.

10. Local authorities say it will take 14 years to sort potholes

Councils have warned it will take 14 years and cost £12bn to fix the millions of potholes on roads in England and Wales. The Local Government Association is calling on the Treasury to announce in next month's Autumn Statement that a further £1bn a year will go towards road maintenance to tackle the problem. A spokesman said the issue is becoming "increasingly urgent".

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