Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 23 Jun 2014

1. ISIS SEIZE CONTROL OF IRAQI BORDER

Sunni militants Isis have reportedly seized Iraq’s border crossings into Syria and Jordan, giving them control of the country’s western border. Meanwhile, Barack Obama has warned the group could destabilise the entire region. He said the US would have to work with local partners to defeat Isis.

MI6: 'Impossible' to track jihadists returning to UK

2. OSBORNE CALLS FOR NORTH RAIL LINK

Speaking in Manchester today, George Osborne called for a link between that city and Leeds to form a continuation of HS2, the high-speed rail line. He will say the proposed line, dubbed HS3, would help the north of England challenge the economic dominance of London, which he will say is “not healthy” for the UK.

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HS3: Do we need another high-speed rail link?

3. BADGER CULL CHANGES AN 'ABUSE'

A senior government adviser has accused the coalition of "wilfully" ignoring scientific advice about the badger cull and says proposed changes are "an abuse" of the scientific method. Professor Timothy Coulson says the government "no longer wants to know" if methods are effective or humane and fears a lack of independent oversight.

Badger cull: second anti-TB campaign begins

4. MURRAY BEGINS WIMBLEDON DEFENCE

Andy Murray began his defence of the Wimbledon title he won last year with a straight sets defeat of Belgian David Goffin. The Scot won 6-1 6-4 7-5 in just over two hours on Centre Court. Next up for Murray is Slovenia Blaz Rola, the world number 92. Murray admitted to being "nervous" ahead of the tournament.

The intelligent punter's guide to Wimbledon 2014

5. FELIX DENNIS DIES AGED 67

Felix Dennis, the Chairman of the company that publishes The Week, has died at the age of 67. After a long and painful battle with cancer, he died peacefully at his home in Dorsington yesterday, surrounded by his loved ones.

Felix Dennis, 1947-2014

6. ASOS TRADING AGAIN AFTER FIRE

Online fashion store Asos has begun trading again after a fire at its main warehouse in Barnsley, thought to have been started deliberately. Around 70% of the company stock is held at Barnsley, and Asos said around a fifth of it had "been compromised" in the fire. Sixty firefighters attended the blaze o Friday night, and police are investigating.

7. MERIAM IBRAHIM FREED FROM JAIL

Meriam Ibrahim, the Sudanese woman sentenced to death for refusing to renounce Christianity, has been freed from jail, according to her lawyer. Ibrahim married a Christian American in 2011 but was convicted of apostasy by a Muslim court. There was global outcry when she was forced to give birth to her daughter while in chains.

Meriam Ibrahim freed by Sudanese court

8. SINGLES CHART TO INCLUDE STREAMING

The Official Charts Company has announced it will include sales via online streaming services like Spotify and Deezer in the UK singles chart from July. Music streaming has doubled in popularity over the past year, says the BBC, with the current average of 260m streams a week more than twice that of 2013.

9. EGYPT: JAIL FOR AL JAZEERA REPORTERS

Three Al Jazeera journalists have been sentenced to seven years each in jail by a court in Egypt. Former BBC reporter Peter Greste, Mohammed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, were convicted of spreading false news and supporting the Muslim Brotherhood. Nine other defendants tried in absentia were given ten-year sentences.

Egypt sentences Al Jazeera journalists to seven years

10. HOT TICKET: HARE'S SKYLIGHT REVIVED

A revival of David Hare's Skylight starring Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy has opened at Wyndham's Theatre, West End. A rich restaurateur tries to rekindle an affair with his ex-lover but finds she has built a new life teaching disadvantaged kids. "Beautifully acted," says The Guardian. Until 23 August.

Skylight – reviews of 'beautifully acted' Hare revival