Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 1 Sep 2013

1. SYRIA: OBAMA TURNS TO CONGRESS

US president Barack Obama will ask Congress to authorise military action against Syria over alleged chemical weapons attacks. He said he is “prepared to give” the order for military strikes, but added that “the country will be stronger” if legislators are consulted first. Congressional leaders said they would consider the matter in the week of September 9.

2. BROADCASTER SIR DAVID FROST DIES AT 74

The legendary broadcaster Sir David Frost has died at the age of 74 after a suspected heart attack while on board a cruise ship. Frost, who will be remembered particularly for his interviews with former US President Richard Nixon, leaves behind his wife Carina and three sons. His broadcasting and journalism career spanned 50 years.

3. UK IS 'ONLINE HUB FOR LEGAL HIGHS'

The government's efforts to crack down on the sale of 'legal high' drugs are failing, says a leading think-tank. The Centre for Social Justice - set up by work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith - says Britain is a leading hub for selling the substances online. Last year, 52 people in England and Wales died after taking legal highs.

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4. MAN CONVICTED IN DELHI RAPE CASE

An 18-year-old has become the first person to be convicted in case of the gang-rape and murder of a young woman in a moving bus in Delhi last year. The man, who was a juvenile at the time of the offence, was sentenced to three years in a secure reform home. The trial of four other suspects is expected to conclude later this month.

5. STEPHEN FRY ON FREE SPEECH & ISLAMISM

Stephen Fry says he is afraid to criticise Islamic extremists in case he is labelled racist. He writes that the "squeezed liberal finds himself in the position that he cannot criticise Islamofascism because it's somehow 'racist'". He described the situation as a “topsy-turvy smothering of debate” and “an Orwellian denial of free speech”.

6. ACID GIRL MAY RETURN TO ZANZIBAR

A British teenager who suffered severe injuries when acid was thrown over her in Zanzibar says she fears her attacker will never be caught. Kirstie Trup, 18, tells the Sunday Times that the area she was attacked in is “too small for it to be this hard and I fear they will never be caught”. She says she may return to Zanzibar to do more voluntary work next year.

7. QUEEN'S DAIMLER AUCTIONED FOR £45K

A Daimler car owned and driven by the Queen has sold at auction for £40,500. The 2001 Daimler Super V8 LWB limousine, complete with a specially adapted armrest with a sliding holder for the Queen’s handbag, was sold by auction house Historics at Brooklands in Surrey with its original tyres and special security lighting controls, which remain fully functioning.

8. BODY FROM 1968 AIR CRASH FOUND

The body of an Indian soldier who was killed in an air crash in the Himalayas 45 years ago has been recovered, the army says. The remains of NCO Jagmail Singh were identified by an insurance policy and a letter found in his pocket, said a spokesman. The army transport plane crashed in 1968, killing all 98 soldiers on board.

9. OWNER FLOODS TELETUBBIES FIELD

The owner of the fields where children's television show Teletubbies was filmed has flooded the land to stop fans of the series trespassing on it. “People were jumping fences and crossing cattle fields,” said owner Rosemary Harding. “We’re glad to see the back of it.” The show, featuring Dipsy and Tinky Winky, was filmed in Warwickshire between 1997 and 2001.

10. FOOTBALL: GUNNERS HOST SPURS

Arsenal face Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby this afternoon, while Liverpool take on old foes Manchester United at Anfield. Yesterday, Manchester City moved a point behind leaders Chelsea after beating Hull City 2-0. Real Madrid hope to complete the purchase of Gareth Bale in the next 24 hours.