Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 29 Jul 2013

1. ITALIAN COACH CRASH LEAVES 39 DEAD

At least 39 people have been killed after a coach went through a crash barrier on the A116 autostrada in southern Italy last night. The vehicle was taking around 50 people, including children, back to Naples following a pilgrimage when it left the road and plunged down a 100ft ravine near Avellino in the southern region of Campania.

Coach crash in Italy – in pictures

2. ISRAEL TO RELEASE 104 PALESTINIANS

Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians were due to begin in Washington later today following a deal brokered by US Secretary of State John Kerry that has seen more than 100 Palestinian prisoners released from jail. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu braved cabinet splits to approve the controversial measure.

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Israel passes controversial West Bank settlement bill

3. ARREST AFTER JANE AUSTEN TWITTER ABUSE

A 21-year-old man has been arrested after posting abuse on social media site Twitter directed at Caroline Criado-Perez, a feminist campaigner who successfully lobbied the Bank of England to put the novelist Jane Austen on the new £10 notes. The 21-year-old from the Manchester area was detained on suspicion of harassment.

Criado-Perez: whatever it takes to stamp out radical misogynists

4. SPANISH TRAIN DRIVER CHARGED OVER DEATHS

Francisco Jose Garzon, 52, the driver of the high-speed train which crashed in Spain last week, causing 79 deaths, was bailed yesterday after being charged with reckless homicide. The Alvia train was travelling at more than twice the 50mph speed limit when it came off the track outside the northwestern city of Santiago de Compostela.

5. CO-OP DEMANDS LADS' MAGS COVER-UP

The Co-operative supermarket chain has told the publishers of such lads' mags as Nuts and Zoo that they must display their publications with pre-sealed 'modesty covers', obscuring their 'raunchy' front pages, or else they will be banned from the retailer's 4,000 outlets. The Co-op is the first major chain to make such a move.

Co-op to lads' mags: cover up or we won't stock you

6. LEWIS HAMILTON: 'I CAN GO ALL THE WAY'

British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton won his first race for new team Mercedes yesterday in the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest and said he aims to win this year's Driver's Championship. The 29-year-old started on pole position and produced a scintillating drive to see off Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel.

Lewis Hamilton: 'I can go all the way after Hungarian GP win'

7. VINCE CABLE STIRS UP COALITION TENSION

Business Secretary Vince Cable opened up fresh divisions in the government yesterday by attacking policies endorsed by the coalition. Cable said that Chancellor George Osborne's Help to Buy scheme for house-buyers would simply "inflate" the property market, and described a campaign against illegal immigrants as "stupid and offensive".

Go home or go to jail: warning to immigrants divides coalition

8. POPE FRANCIS: WHO AM I TO JUDGE GAYS?

Pope Francis has used a press conference on his trip back from Brazil to reach out to gay men. Asked about gay priests, he said: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?" But he refused to countenance women becoming priests, saying that the "door is closed" on the issue.

Pope Francis empowers priests to forgive abortion

9. GARETH BALE AGONY OVER €100M REBUFF

Real Madrid's pursuit of Gareth Bale has entered its critical phase after Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy rebuffed a world-record bid of €100m for the star winger. Observers believe a slight increase in the offer – as well as Bale's distress at not being allowed to leave and play Champion's League football - will force Levy to relent.

Gareth Bale in Spurs talks after Real Madrid offer €100m

10. HOT TICKET: 'GABRIEL' BLOWS INTO THE GLOBE

A new theatrical production with music, Gabriel, has opened at Shakespeare's Globe, London. Playwright Samuel Adamson has collaborated with renowned trumpeter Alison Balsom on a series of short plays about Restoration England interwoven with the music of Purcell and Handel. "Bewitching," says The Independent. Until 18 August.

Trumpet star Alison Balsom soars in 'Gabriel' at the Globe