Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 24 Jul 2013

1. A&E CRISIS: SYSTEM IS 'FLYING BLIND'

MPs have launched a scathing attack on plans to solve pressures faced by A&E units in England. The Health Select Committee said it had been given "contradictory" and "confusing" admissions and discharge data while Stephen Dorrell, its chairman, claimed the system was "flying blind" without robust information on the demands placed on departments.

NHS crisis: the problems A&E departments face this winter

2. ROYAL BABY NAMED PRINCE GEORGE

Kate Middleton and Prince William have announced the royal baby's name - George Alexander Louis. The third in line to the throne will be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. Kate and William announced the decision quickly for royals, just two days after Prince George's birth.

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Prince George ‘played sheep in school nativity’

3. SHRIEN DEWANI TO BE EXTRADITED

Shrien Dewani, the British man suspected of hiring a hit man to kill his 28-year-old wife, Anni as they honeymooned in Cape Town in 2010, is to be extradited back to South Africa to face trial. A magistrate said the 33-year-old's mental health issues were improving and it would not be "oppressive" to send him to SA.

Shrien Dewani: will inquest resolve unanswered questions?

4. SNOWDEN ALLOWED TO ENTER RUSSIA

Russian media is reporting that the NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden is about to be given the documents he needs to enter Russia. The American has been trapped at Moscow's main airport for weeks after the US cancelled his passport. Snowden is expected to apply for temporary asylum once inside Russia.

Edward Snowden joins Twitter with jokes aplenty

5. SYRIA: INTERVENTION WOULD COST BILLIONS

US military intervention in Syria would cost billions of dollars and could "unleash the very chemical weapons we seek to control", the Pentagon's senior military chief has said. General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned Congress that once initial action was launched against the Assad regime then "deeper involvement" would be hard to avoid.

6. WEINER CAUGHT IN NEW SEXTING SCANDAL

Anthony Weiner, the married US politician who resigned from Congress in 2011 following a 'sexting' scandal, has been caught sending lewd messages again. Weiner, who is seeking to become the mayor of New York, has admitted exchangiong explicit texts with a young woman under the pseudonym 'Carlos Danger' but has insisted he will not quit his campaign.

Clinton aide splits from Anthony Weiner after third sexting scandal

7. APPEAL COURT REJECTS HS2 ACTION

Campaigners opposed to the HS2 rail scheme have told the BBC they will take today's court decision rejecting their appeal against the £42bn project to the Supreme Court. Residents groups and councils had asked the Court of Appeal to order a further assessment of the costly HS2 scheme, but judges dismissed the challenge today.

8. BROADWATER FARM: MAN REMANDED

A London man, Nicholas Jacobs, was remanded today to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday charged with the murder of PC Keith Blakelock, who was stabbed to death during the 1985 Broadwater Farm riots in Tottenham, north London. Jacobs was 16 at the time. Blakelock's family say they have "never given up hope" of getting justice for him.

PC Blakelock: why police have spent 28 years hunting his killer

9. ARSENAL OFFER £40M PLUS £1 FOR SUAREZ

Arsenal's latest bid to sign Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez has brought an angry reaction from Liverpool who insist he's not for sale. But the London club's unusual bid of £40,000,001 triggers a clause in the player's contract which means Liverpool must inform the player of the offer. It's now up to Suarez to pursue talks if he's interested.

Suarez wants Arsenal talks, but Gunners miss out on Higuain

10. HOT TICKET: WRIGHT'S SEASON IN THE CONGO

The UK premiere of A Season in the Congo has opened at the Young Vic Theatre, London. Joe Wright directs Aime Cesaire's play with music about the life and death of Congolese president Patrice Lumumba, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor. "Intoxicating," says The Guardian. Until 24 August.

Joe Wright's Season in the Congo is 'intoxicating'