Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 1 Nov 2012

Deputy PM Nick Clegg has added to David Cameron's EU woes by saying the PM's plan to use the eurozone crisis to repatriate powers was a “false promise wrapped in a Union Jack”. Clegg did at least back Cameron's plan to demand a freeze in the EU budget at a summit on 22 November. The government was defeated last night in a Commons vote calling for a cut to the EU budget.

President Obama returns to campaigning today boosted by reaction to his handling of the Hurricane Sandy disaster. Governor Chris Christie, a high-profile Romney supporter, praised Obama's "personal concern and compassion" for the people of New Jersey, while a Washington Post poll found eight out of ten voters were impressed by Obama during the emergency.

The United States is urging Syrians to form a more powerful opposition to President Assad. Hillary Clinton said yesterday: "There has to be representation of those who are on the front lines, fighting and dying today to obtain their freedom." Too many members of the exiled Syrian National Council hadn't even visited Syria for 20, 30 or 40 years.

Chelsea, beaten by Manchester United in their recent Premier League clash, got their own back last night, winning 5-4 after extra time and knocking Man U out of the Capital One Cup. The draw for the last eight is: Leeds United v Chelsea, Swansea City v Middlesbrough, Norwich City v Aston Villa and Bradford City v Arsenal.

Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines have been rated joint leaders in a worldwide survey of legroom in economy by Business Traveller magazine. Virgin Atlantic came tenth while British Airways came a lowly 21st equal, only just beating Ryanair by an inch. Out of 32 airlines surveyed, EasyJet came 31st, beaten to bottom place by Iberia.