Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 4 Nov 2016

1. May under pressure to call early election

Theresa May is facing demands to call an early general election after the High Court ruled that she does not have the right to trigger Article 50 – the formal process of leaving the EU – without the backing of parliament. Neither Conservative nor Labour MPs are thought to favour a general election.

Brexit: Theresa May says ‘trust me’ to deliver

2. Sanders and Pharrell turn out for Clinton

Hillary Clinton was joined by her former Democratic rival Bernie Sanders and musician Pharrell Williams on stage in North Carolina last night, as polls showed her Republican US presidential opposition, Donald Trump, is gaining ground in the race for the White House.

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US election 2016: What are Hillary Clinton's policies?

3. Fatal car bomb attack in Kurdish city of Diyarbakir

One person has died and 30 been wounded after a car bomb exploded in Diyarbakir, in south-east Turkey. The blast shattered windows and could be heard from several parts of the mainly Kurdish city. It is thought a police station was targeted.

4. Climate change accord comes into force

World governments are committed to legally binding limits on global temperature rises from today as the Paris accord comes into force. The signatories, who include the US, China, India and the EU, must now ensure global warming sticks at no more than 2C above pre-industrial levels.

5. BHS pensions deal agreed 'by Christmas'

The Pensions Regulator could strike a deal "by Christmas" with Sir Philip Green on the BHS scandal, says the BBC, although it adds the businessman may still walk away from the process and trigger a lengthy legal battle. Green sold BHS for £1 less than a year before it collapsed, leaving a pension fund shortfall of £571m.

Sir Philip Green's Arcadia agrees £30m deal in BHS legal battle

6. Rents to rise faster than house prices

Rents across the UK will rise faster than house prices over the next five years, says estate agent Savills, which forecasts the average will have risen by 19% by 2021, while property valuations will only increase by 13%. In London, Savills expects rents to go up by 24.5% and prices by 10.9%. The agency blames Brexit uncertainty for the gap.

7. Call for inquiry into coerced adoption

"Pressure is mounting" for an inquiry into adoption practices in England and Wales during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, says The Guardian. Law firms say thousands of single women were coerced into giving up their children during this time. The head of the Catholic church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has apologised for its part in the "hurt" caused.

8. Tory MP quits over 'policy differences'

Tory MP Stephen Phillips, who has accused the government of "lurching to the right" under Theresa May, has resigned, triggering a by-election in his Lincolnshire seat of Sleaford and North Hykeham. Phillips, who supported Brexit but has since accused ministers of ignoring parliament, cited "irreconcilable policy differences".

9. Record-breaking earthworm found

An earthworm nicknamed Dave found in a Cheshire vegetable plot is the largest specimen yet found. The one-ounce worm, which was unearthed in Widnes by Paul Rees and named by his stepson George, measured 15.7ins. Dave was taken to the Natural History Museum and will be kept in the museum's collection.

Dave the record-breaking earthworm uncovered in Cheshire

10. Briefing: Islamic State leader urges militants to fight to the death

The leader of Islamic State has called on militants to defend Mosul in what is believed to be his first public message for nearly a year. In an audiotape released by the terror group, a voice said to be that of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi says: "Holding your ground with honour is a thousand times easier than retreating in shame. Do not retreat. This total war and the great jihad only increased our firm belief, God willing, and our conviction that this is all a prelude to victory."

UK 'risks repeating Libya mistakes in Mosul'