Lunchtime briefing: the key stories of the day

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2013/oct/02/key-stories-of-the-day

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1. Cameron: we will build a land of opportunity for all

Prime Minister delivers his speech to the Conservative party conference - follow the reaction to it live here

2. Barack Obama cancels Malaysia trip amid US shutdown standoff

President to attend summit meetings in Indonesia and Brunei but return early to deal with crisis over debt ceiling

3. Daily Mail has demeaned political process, says Heseltine<br /><br />Former deputy PM says there is no justification for headline saying Labour leader's father hated Britain

4. Tesco shares tumble as profits slump nearly a quarter

Supermarket blames tough conditions in Europe as rival Sainsbury's reports solid performance

5. Italian prime minister faces crunch confidence vote

Dramatic day ahead as Enrico Letta urges Senate to back him, or risk gridlock and crisis. Follow the story live here

6. Madeleine McCann's father returns to Portugal to give evidence in libel case

Gerry McCann looks to testify in case against Gonçalo Amaral, who published book about Madeleine's disappearance in 2007

7. Roman Abramovich tried to lure me to Chelsea, says Sir Alex Ferguson

Retired manager claims approach was made by Chelsea in 2003

8. The Are Women Funny? debate is as dead as Christopher Hitchens

Lee Mack told Kirsty Young on Desert Island Discs that there are no women standups on panel shows because they are less likely to show off. Tell that to Julie Burchill, writes Bridget Christie

9. Soap operas: has the bubble burst?

From Coronation Street to EastEnders, soap operas once dominated British TV. Now, beset by disgraced stars and plummeting ratings, they are struggling to remain relevant, writes Stuart Jeffries

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