Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 12 Jun 2014

1. IRAQ SITUATION 'DIRE', EMERGENCY VOTE DELAYED

The UN security council says the humanitarian crisis the Iraqi cities of Mosul and Tikrit is “dire and is worsening by the moment”. As many as 500,000 people have fled Mosul after Islamist group Isis overran both cities. The US says it is considering providing assistance to Iraq. A vote on emergency powers in the Iraqi parliament was delayed when only 135 MPs showed up.

Iraq picks Fouad Massoum as president in bid to unite nation

2. PASSPORT OFFICE: PLANS TO CLEAR BACKLOG

Home Secretary Theresa May has announced plans to clear the backlog in passport applications. People renewing UK passports from overseas will be given an extension to their existing passport, children who are overseas will be given emergency travel documents. Earlier, the government blocked plans to relax security checks on applications.

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Passport renewal: how long does it take?

3. RIK MAYALL POST-MORTEM 'INCONCLUSIVE'

A post-mortem examination into the death of comedian Rik Mayall, found dead at his London home on Monday at the age of 56, has proved inconclusive. More tests will be required, says the West London Coroners Office. The Young Ones and Bottom star's wife, Barbara Robbin, said the family did not know what caused his death.

4. MOD TO ANNOUNCE 1,060 FURTHER JOB CUTS

The Ministry of Defence is expected to announce a further 1,060 job cuts in the armed forces - less than had been feared - as part of the ongoing Strategic Defence and Security Review, under which the regular army is being reduced from 102,000 to 82,000 while the reservists increase from 15,000 to 30,000.

5. SECRET TERROR TRIAL PLAN BLOCKED

An attempt by the Crown Prosecution Service to hold a terrorism trial in secret has been overturned by the court of appeal. Although the majority of the trial will be heard in secret it will open and close in public. The identities of the accused have also been revealed. They have been named as Erol Incedal and Mounir Rarmoul-Bouhadjar.

6. VIOLENCE AHEAD OF BRAZIL WORLD CUP

There were disturbances on the streets of Brazil ahead of the first game of the 2014 World Cup. In Sao Paulo riot police using tear gas and rubber truncheons to disperse demonstrators, and a CNN journalist was left with a broken arm. Airport staff in Rio were also due to walk out in a dispute over pay, disrupting fans' travel plans.

World Cup odds: the intelligent punter's guide

7. RECESSION LED TO 10,000 ‘EXTRA’ SUICIDES

Researchers from UK universities have concluded the 2007-2008 financial crisis led to 10,000 additional suicides in Europe and North America. Campaigners said the finding showed how important mental health services are because some countries, including Sweden and Austria, showed no increase.

8. ‘SIGNS OF CAUTION’ IN HOUSING MARKET

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is reducing its prediction for growth in the UK housing market over the next five years to 5% each year, saying “some of the very strong upward momentum is starting to come off” because of a lack of supply. In London, the prediction has fallen from 9% to 5%.

9. PLATINI WITHDRAWS SUPPORT FOR BLATTER

On the eve of the World Cup football's political problems have escalated after Michel Platini, president of Uefa, said he would no longer support Sepp Blatter, who runs Fifa, the world governing body mired in allegations of bribery over the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. Blatter has described his critics as "disrespectful".

10. HOT TICKET: TATE BRITAIN'S FOLK ART

A major new exhibition of British Folk Art has opened at Tate Britain. The show surveys folk art from the mid-17th century to the 1960s, including shop signs, Toby jugs, patchwork quilts and ships' figureheads. "Unexpectedly ravishing," says the Evening Standard. Until 31 August, then touring.

British Folk Art – reviews of Tate Britain's 'ravishing' show