Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 20 Jul 2014

1. UK TELLS PUTIN: ‘GET OUT OF UKRAINE’

New defence secretary Michael Fallon has warned Vladimir Putin to "get out of east Ukraine", accusing Russia of "sponsored terrorism". Meanwhile, David Cameron says tighter EU sanctions against Russia may be needed in the wake of the Malayasia Airlines tragedy. Writing in The Sunday Times, the prime minister said it may be "time to make our power, influence and resources count".

Get out of Ukraine, UK defence secretary tells Putin

2. CLARKE: ECONOMY IS ‘NOT FIRMLY ROOTED’

The UK’s economic recovery is not “firmly rooted” warns former Tory chancellor Kenneth Clarke. In an interview with The Observer, he warned that the economy is “fragile”. There is a "long, long way" to go, he said, before the British economy is robust enough to deliver sustainable growth and compete with emerging powers such as China and Brazil.

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Recovery not 'firmly rooted' warns Kenneth Clarke

3. ISRAEL ESCALATES AS KI-MOON ARRIVES

Israel says it has broadened its ground operation against Hamas, as Gaza residents report the heaviest shelling since the fighting began 13 days ago. Four Palestinians died in new airstrikes yesterday, including two children and the son of a senior Hamas official. As UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon travels to the region for talks, Israel's military said it will expand its operations.

4. BOSS PLEDGES SEVEN-DAY NHS BY 2017

The new director of the NHS has promised a fully seven-day service by 2017. Speaking to The Sunday Times, Sir Bruce Keogh pledged that by March 2017, patients will receive the same level of treatment at weekends as they receive during the week. Speaking of resistance to the change from some doctors’ leaders, he said: “The NHS is owned by the people of this country.”

5. 1% OF MEN ‘POTENTIAL PAEDOPHILES’

Over 200,000 men in Britain are potential paedophiles who have a “sexual interest in children”, estimates the country’s most senior child abuse detective. Andy Baker quoted research from the National Crime Agency which concluded that 1% of the male population between the ages of 15 and 75 are potential paedophiles — the equivalent of 210,000 men.

6. CANCER WIDOW WINS $23.6BN FROM CAMEL

The widow of a chain smoker who died of lung cancer has been awarded $23.6bn (£14bn) in compensation from the makers of Camel cigarettes. Cynthia Robinson began the legal action after her husband, Michael Johnson, died aged 36. She argued the company was negligent in informing consumers of the dangers of tobacco and thus led to her husband’s illness.

7. IS THERE MORPHINE IN YOUR MUFFIN?

Scientists have warned that poppy seeds used in muffins and other bakery products may contain potentially hazardous levels of morphine. The Food Standards Agency says it will issue new advice to minimise risk to consumers after “morphine-like” effects have been observed in some cases after poppy seeds were eaten.

8. BILL TO 'SLAY' HEALTH & SAFETY CULTURE

Justice secretary Chris Grayling has vowed to “slay" the "health and safety culture”. He told the Sunday Telegraph that society has become “too inclined to blame someone else” when anything goes wrong, leading to a compensation culture that he wants to bring to an end. He will introduce a new bill next week, designed to make it harder for ambulance-chasing lawyers to win cases in the courts.

9. 60% ‘BACK DAVID CAMERON’S RESHUFFLE’

David Cameron’s cabinet reshuffle has boosted the Tories’ chances at the next election, claims a new poll. A survey for the Sunday Telegraph found that six in 10 voters believe the PM’s reshuffle - which demoted Michael Gove and promoted several female ministers - was “a step in the right direction” for the Conservatives.

10. UK WHEELY FALLS IN LOVE WITH CYCLING

Bookings for specialist cycling holidays have risen by up to 40% as the country falls ever more in love with two-wheeling. In the wake of the British legs of the Tour de France, Sustrans, which runs the country's national cycle path network, says 50m more journeys are being taken along its 14,500 miles of routes than in the preceding years.