Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 5 Nov 2017

1. Theresa May's deputy denies computer porn allegation

First Secretary of State Damian Green has denied a claim that police found pornography on a computer in his office in Westminster during a raid in 2008. Responding to a report in The Sunday Times, Green, who is effectively the deputy of Theresa May, said: "The allegations about the material and computer, now nine years old, are false, disreputable political smears from a discredited police officer."

2. Brown says Washington misled Blair over Iraq

The UK was misled over Saddam Hussein's access to weapons of mass destruction, claims former Gordon Brown. The former Prime Minister says US intelligence, which challenged the extent of Iraq's WMD stockpile, was not shared with Tony Blair prior to him joining the war. In his forthcoming memoir, Brown writes: "We were not just misinformed, but misled."

3. Mental health charities warn they 'cannot go on'

Twelve mental health bodies have written an open letter to ministers warning they "cannot go on" with so many patients "locked out" of vital services, reports The Independent. Almost a year on from Theresa May’s pledge to improve mental health support the groups accuse her of setting "unambitious" targets, adding that services "cannot go on" with the current levels of funding.

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4. China will jail those who 'disrespect' national anthem

China has made "disrespecting" the national anthem a crime punishable by up to three years in jail, reports The Observer. President Xi Jinping is focusing on cementing a patriotic "China dream", which promises to extend prosperity and restore international prestige. At home he has been accused of promoting a personality cult and cracking down on dissent.

5. Journalist's allegation was 'tipping point' for Fallon

Michael Fallon was forced to quit as defence secretary after journalist Jane Merrick informed Downing Street that he had lunged at her and attempted to kiss her on the lips in 2003 after they had lunched together. The Observer says the revelation was the "tipping point for No 10", which had been compiling a list of allegations against Fallon since claims against him were first made.

6. Trump says 'no dictator' should underestimate him

Donald Trump has warned that "no dictator, no regime" should underestimate the US. The President was speaking to US and Japanese service personnel at the Yokota Air Base near Tokyo, at the beginning of his Asian tour. He said: "No one, no dictator, no regime... should underestimate American resolve. Every once in a while in the past, they underestimated us and it was not pleasant for them, was it?"

7. Saudis 'intercept missile fired from Yemen rebels'

A ballistic missile has been intercepted by air defence forces northeast of the Saudi capital Riyadh, according to the country's state media. Al Arabiya TV claimed the missile was fired from Yemen. Military officials pointed the finger at the Houthi rebel forces in Yemen, adding that it proved the "involvement of one of the countries of the region sponsoring terrorism".

8. Democrat head 'considered replacing Clinton after faint'

The former head of the Democratic National Committee says she considered replacing Hillary Clinton as the 2016 presidential nominee with then-Vice President Biden in the aftermath of Clinton’s fainting. Donna Brazile says Clinton’s campaign was "anemic" and had taken on "the odour of failure". However, she says she decided not to after thinking of "all the women in the country who were so proud of and excited about her".

9. US 'kills scores of civilians in northern Afghanistan'

US airstrikes have killed scores of civilians in Afghanistan. The airstrikes in the northern Afghan province of Kunduz on Friday night targeted three villages in Chardara, a district west of the provincial capital which has been a Taliban stronghold. Quoting residents and officials in the area, the New York Times said at least 13 were dead.

10. Chancellor told to cut beer duty to save British pubs

Philip Hammond should cut beer duty by a penny in this month's Budget to help save pubs from closing, says the British Beer and Pub Association. The call comes as sales of beer in the UK's pubs, bars and restaurants have fallen by the biggest margin for five years. The BPA said 35m fewer pints of beer were sold in British pubs, bars and restaurants in the three months to September, compared with a year ago.