Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 28 Jul 2014

1. UN AND OBAMA BEG FOR GAZA CEASEFIRE

The UN has called for an "immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza. An emergency session of the Security Council backed a statement calling for a truce over the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. "In the name of humanity, the violence must stop," said UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon. President Obama has also called on Israel to implement a ceasefire.

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

2. FREAK STORMS CAUSE CHAOS IN SOUTH

Lightning, hail and torrential rain caused chaos in parts of east and south-east England today. Homes had to be evacuated, drivers were trapped in their cars and rail services cancelled as flash floods struck. In some areas half the month's average rainfall fell in one hour. Villages in Suffolk and Sussex had more than 1.5 inches of rain in that time.

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3. MILLIONS ARE TURNED AWAY BY THEIR GPS

Millions are being shut out of doctors’ surgeries, reports The Times. In data described by doctors’ leaders as a “shocking indictment” of a failing system, it has emerged that one in nine people trying to see a GP cannot get an appointment, with doctors turning away patients more than 40m times this year. There are fears early signs of fatal diseases could be missed.

NHS: millions shut out of doctors' surgeries

4. EMIRATES STOPS FLYING OVER IRAQ

Leading airline Emirates will stop flying over Iraq after concerns about the missile threat posed by Islamist militants on the ground, reveals The Times. The president of the airline believes that other airlines will follow its lead in the wake of the Malaysia Airlines disaster in Ukraine. “This is a political animal but . . . the fact of the matter is MH17 changed everything," he said.

Flying over warzones: Emirates to alter Iraq flight path

5. LLOYDS FINED £218M OVER LIBOR

Lloyds Banking Group has been fined £218m for "seious misconduct" after attempting to fix interest rates in London. The fines were imposed by the Financial Conduct Authority and US regulators over Lloyds's efforts to manipulate Libor. Lloyds, the seventh institution to be sanctioned over the scandal, has condemned the actions of those responsible.

6. HOT TICKET: STAGE SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

Lee Hall's stage adaptation of Shakespeare in Love has opened at the Noel Coward Theatre, West End. Shakespeare suffers from writer's block until he falls for the beautiful theatre-loving daughter of a rich merchant who inspires him to write Romeo and Juliet. "Joyous," says The Independent. Until 25 October.

Shakespeare in Love – reviews of 'joyous' West End staging

7. MH17 MAY HAVE BEEN WAR CRIME

Data from flight MH17 shows that it came down after "massive explosive decompression" caused by a rocket, a Ukraine official said on Monday as international police were once again been prevented from reaching the crash site by heavy fighting in the region. UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said the downing of the plane could constitute a war crime.

8. FRACKING LICENCE BIDDING GETS UNDERWAY

The bidding process for fracking licences begins today. Announcing the bidding round, business and energy minister Matthew Hancock said: "Unlocking shale gas in Britain has the potential to provide us with greater energy security, jobs and growth." About half the UK is open to exploration, but tightened rules cover areas of outstanding beauty.

Friends of the Earth rebuked for anti-fracking leaflet

9. ISLAMIC STATE DESTROYS MOSQUE

Militants from the Islamic State group blew up a mosque and shrine dating back to the 14th century in Iraq yesterday. Mosul residents said the Prophet Jirjis mosque and shrine was bombed and destroyed by the jihadist group. The incident in Mosul is the latest in a trail of destruction which has left half a dozen of the Iraqi city's most revered holy places destroyed.

10. JAPANESE GIRL ‘BEHEADS CLASSMATE’

A 15-year-old Japanese schoolgirl is being held in custody after she admitted beheading a classmate. She was arrested yesterday after the body of 15-year-old Aiwa Matsuo was discovered in the city of Sasebo. The suspect told police she struck her classmate in the head with a metal object and strangled her, before cutting off her head and left hand.