Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 23 Aug 2013

1. OBAMA: SYRIA ATTACK IS 'GRAVE CONCERN'

Preisdent Obama has described an alleged chemical attack in Syria as a "big event of grave concern". He made the remark after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for the alleged gas attack in Damascus "to be investigated without delay". The Syrian government has denied using chemical weapons, but has so far refused to allow an inspection.

Syria: 'Time runs out' for 'chemical attack' probe

2. 'CHELSEA MANNING' MAY HAVE TO WAIT

Bradley Manning, the US soldier jailed for 35 years for passing documents to Wikileaks, will receive psychiatric support in prison, but no hormone therapy to help him become Chelsea Manning. The Fort Leavenworth military prison said the army "does not provide hormone therapy or sex-reassignment surgery for gender identity disorder."

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3. PHOTO-JOURNALIST GANG-RAPED IN INDIA

A 23-year-old photo-journalist on assignment in Mumbai has been gang-raped by five men. The woman, who was working for an English language magazine, was with a male friend when she was attacked. He was beaten, she is now in hospital with multiple injuries. Sixteen men have been arrested.

Mumbai attack: Outcry as another woman gang-raped

4. BORIS JOHNSON TO WRITE ROMANTIC FICTION

Boris Johnson has announced that he wants to become a romantic novelist when he stands down as London mayor in 2016. He told the Melbourne Writers Festival that he hoped to one day write a "genuinely brilliant, rip-roaring airport book". He said he was considering the pseudonym Rosie M Banks, in tribute to the character from PG Wodehouse's Jeeves books.

5. RETHINK HS2, SAYS ALISTAIR DARLING

Former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling says he "can no longer back" the HS2 rail link between London and the Midlands, saying the project "runs the risk of substantially draining the railways of money over the next 30 years". Visionary schemes often attract the support of politicians – himself included - but there are "better ways to spend £50bn".

HS2: Darling backtracks on £50bn rail link he approved

6. UK GETS GDP GROWTH BOOST

Britain's economic recovery may be gathering pace after the Office of National Statistics upgraded growth figures for the second quarter of the year. The economy actually grew 0.7% rather than 0.6% during that time. All four sectors of the economy expanded between April and June suggesting that the recovery is sustainable.

GDP growth boost: is Britain's economic recovery finally on?

7. MORE SHARP ADVICE FOR ED MILIBAND

Two former cabinet ministers have told Ed Miliband to focus his energies on the economy, suggesting he has lost support recently because his messages on the subject have not been at their "sharpest and most consistent". However, both Peter Hain and John Denham say they think he will be the next PM "because of, not despite, his leadership".

Miliband urged to pledge in/out EU referendum under Labour

8. BEN AFFLECK TO PLAY BATMAN

Ben Affleck will play Batman in a new movie that will pitch the tortured superhero against Superman (played by Henry Cavill). The film, which will be directed by Zack Snyder, does not have an official title yet, but will also star Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Lawrence Fishburne as Perry White and Diane Lane as Martha Kent.

Ben Affleck as Batman? Angry fans demand new hero

9. SLOW GOING FOR ENGLAND AT THE OVAL

It was slow going for England on day three of the fifth Ashes Test at the Oval as they battled to avoid the follow on after Australia made 492-9dec in their first innings. Opener Joe Root made 68, but captain Alastair Cook scored only 25. Jonathan Trott got 40 before falling to the new ball after tea and when Kevin Pietersen fell for 50 England were 217-4.

10. HOT TICKET: WHAT MAISIE KNEW

US drama 'What Maisie Knew' opens at UK cinemas today. Adapting Henry James's novel to present-day New York, the film tells the story of a self-involved couple's divorce and bitter custody battle, seen through the eyes of six-year-old Maisie. Stars Julianne Moore and Steve Coogan. "Moving character drama," says Empire.

What Maisie Knew: 'moving' update of Henry James classic