Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 31 Jul 2013

1. BRADLEY MANNING GUILTY OF SPYING

Bradley Manning, the US Army private who passed thousands of classified documents to WikiLeaks, has been convicted of espionage but found not guilty of the more serious charge of 'aiding the enemy'. The verdict means he will not face life imprisonment without parole – but he could still get 136 years when he is sentenced.

Bradley Manning faces life in jail: an ugly moment in US history

2. PRIVATE DETECTIVES MUST BE LICENSED

Unlicensed private detectives are to be outlawed by Home Secretary Theresa May in an effort to uphold "rigorous standards" in an industry where "rogue investigators" have been operating. The move comes after MPs were told that law firms, insurance companies and celebrities had used investigators to obtain information illegally.

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Private investigators must be licensed from 2014, says May

3. SUICIDE CAMPAIGNERS LOSE COURT BATTLE

Right-to-die campaigners have lost two legal challenges over assisted suicide at the Court of Appeal. The family of Tony Nicklinson, who died last year, and Leeds man Paul Lamb, vowed to take their case to the Supreme Court. Another man won his case seeking clearer prosecution guidance for health workers who help others die.

Nicklinson and Lamb snubbed: right-to-die appeal is lost

4. NIGELLA AND SAATCHI GET DIVORCED

TV chef Nigella Lawson and her art-collector husband Charles Saatchi ended their marriage at the High Court today, as a judge issued a decree nisi. The couple's 'quickie' divorce comes after he was photographed with his hand round her neck during an argument at a Mayfair restaurant. Although Saatchi had announced the divorce, it was Lawson to made the application.

Nigella Lawson returns, but where is the sauce?

5. PEER IN ROW OVER NORTHEAST FRACKING

George Osborne's father-in-law has been widely criticised after calling for fracking to be concentrated in the "desolate" North East to protect more beautiful areas of the country. Lord Howell of Guildford was forced to apologise yesterday following his comments that shale drilling would not damage the environment in areas where few people live.

Lord Howell apologises for 'desolate' north-east crack

6. BBC IN JESSICA ENNIS 'BOTTOM' ROW

Culture Secretary Maria Miller says comments about Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill's bottom by a BBC presenter is further evidence that the broadcaster needs to do more to address sexism. At the Anniversary Games, Colin Murray told a packed stadium that a perfect athlete combined "the stamina of Mo [Farah]... and the bottom of Jess Ennis".

'Jess Ennis's bottom': BBC faces fresh sexism charges

7. DOREEN LAWRENCE TO BECOME A LABOUR PEER

Doreen Lawrence, the mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence who was stabbed to death in a racist attack at a south London bus stop in 1993, is to be made a Labour peer in the House of Lords. Lawrence has become a leading anti-racism campaigner in the 20 years since her son's death and was described by Ed Miliband as a 'hero of modern Britain'.

Doreen Lawrence, 'hero of Britain', becomes Labour peer

8. ZIMBABWE VOTES IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Zimbabweans are going to the polls in today’s presidential election, knowing that the incumbent, Robert Mugabe, has said he will step down after 33 years if he loses. But his chief rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, of the Movement for Democratic Change, has accused Mugabe's Zanu-PF of doctoring the electoral roll. Results could take five days.

Zimbabwe's crucial elections: what to expect and when

9. ASHES: ENGLAND TO DECIDE ON PIETERSEN

England will to decide on Thursday morning whether Kevin Pietersen is sufficiently recovered from a calf injury to play in the third Ashes Test in Manchester. The former captain looked to be moving freely as he took part a series of training exercises followed by a brief batting session in the nets at Old Trafford. England lead the series 2-0.

Anderson aims for Ashes KO as Warner back for Australia

10. HOT TICKET: RSC ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

The RSC's new production of 'All's Well That Ends Well' has opened at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare mixes romance, comedy and drama in the story of Helena's quest to win the heart of the ambivalent Bertram. Directed by Nancy Meckler. "Wholly beguiling," says The Guardian. Until 26 September.

RSC's All's Well That Ends Well 'holds audiences spellbound'