Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 16 Jul 2014

1. PALESTINIANS TOLD TO FLEE HOMES BY ISRAEL

Israel has warned thousands of Palestinians in eastern and northern Gaza to leave their homes as it continues air strikes which, according to Gazan authorities, have so far killed 204 people including a five-month-old baby. A truce suggested by Egypt yesterday failed to stop rocket attacks by Hamas.

Family of Hamas 'mastermind' killed as Israel-Gaza talks fail

2. CAMERON TO PUSH FOR EU PORTFOLIO

David Cameron will fly to Brussels today, where he is expected to push for his newly-chosen EU commissioner, Lord Hill, to be given one of the key economic portfolios. He will first make the final, junior, appointments of his major reshuffle and then face the Commons for Prime Minister’s Questions.

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Is Cameron's choice of EU commissioner already jinxed?

3. UK UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO SIX-YEAR LOW

UK unemployment fell by 121,000 to 2.12m in the three months to May, according to official figures. The figure is the lowest since the end of 2008. The Office for National Statistics also said the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance last month fell by 36,300 to 1.04m and that 73.1% of the population was now in work.

4. NETHERLANDS LIABLE FOR SREBRENICA DEATHS

A court in the Netherlands has ordered the government to pay compensation to the families of 300 men and boys killed in the Srebrenica massacre in 1995. Dutch UN peacekeepers were liable for the deaths of the Muslim men as they handed them over to Bosnian Serb forces, knowing they had already committed war crimes. More than 7,000 people were killed in the massacre.

5. 660 SUSPECTED PAEDOPHILES ARRESTED

Hundreds of suspected paedophiles have been arrested after a six-month investigation by the National Crime Agency, targeting those who have accessed images of child abuse online. The 660 people detained include doctors, teachers, scout leaders, care workers and former police officers. More than 400 children have been given protection.

Police arrest 660 suspected paedophiles across the UK

6. PISTORIUS: ‘SELF-HARMING’ BEHAVIOUR

Oscar Pistorius’s family has spoken about his recent altercation in a night club and called it “self-harming behaviour” on his part, while insisting the account of the incident given by the other party is false. They said the athlete has an “escalating sense of loneliness and alienation” as he stands trial.

Oscar Pistorius out of legal options as request to appeal rejected

7. NURSE ‘PLANNED TO KILL AND EAT GIRL’

A 57-year-old British nurse, Dale Bolinger, bought an axe the day before he tried to meet a 14-year-old girl he had groomed online, Canterbury Crown Court heard yesterday. His email address was traced by the FBI as he talked to the unidentified girl. He had a fetish for cannibalism, the court heard.

British nurse 'planned to rape, kill and eat' 14-year-old girl

8. VAN GAAL'S FIRST DAY AT OLD TRAFFORD

New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has begun work at Old Trafford, four days after the end of Holland's World Cup campaign. The Dutchman met the players and took his first training session on Wednesday after arriving in England on a private jet. He will face the press on Thursday before heading to the Far East with United on Friday.

Van Gaal arrives at Man Utd – what are the challenges?

9. FRANCE INTRODUCES ‘HOME-MADE’ MENU LOGO

A new symbol, showing a casserole dish with a roof for a lid, has been introduced by the French government to be used on restaurant menus to denote that the food has been made from scratch. Restaurants are increasingly relying on reheating ready-made food. From January the logo will be compulsory.

10. HOT TICKET: VIRGINIA WOOLF AT NPG

An exhibition about the life of 20th century novelist Virginia Woolf has opened at the National Portrait Gallery, London. Virginia Woolf: Art, Life and Vision, features portraits and photographs of Woolf by her contemporaries, as well as diaries, letters and personal objects. “Glorious,” says the Arts Desk. Until 26 October.

Virginia Woolf, Art, Life and Vision – reviews of exhibition