Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 5 Aug 2014

1. TROOPS LEAVE GAZA AS CEASEFIRE STARTS

Israel has announced the withdrawal of all of its troops to “defensive positions” outside the Gaza strip as a ceasefire with Hamas brokered by Egypt gets underway. The truce is to last 72 hours. Six previous ceasefires have all been marred by accusations from both sides the other had broken the truce.

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

2. SCOTS INDEPENDENCE: PARTIES MAKE PLEDGE

The UK’s three main political parties have united to sign a pledge guaranteeing the Scottish government more tax-raising and legal powers if Scots vote ‘no’ in the upcoming independence referendum. First minister Alex Salmond and Labour veteran Alistair Darling were today due to hold a TV debate.

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Scottish independence: Is IndyRef2 'dead' after election losses?

3. NORTH OF ENGLAND TRANSPORT PLAN

Five cities in the north of England will today unveil a joint £15bn plan to improve road and rail connections between Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield. The plan includes a proposal for a new 125-mph intercity rail link, faster links with Newcastle and improved access to airports.

4. ROYALS 'PLANT' WWI POPPY AT TOWER

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry "planted" a ceramic poppy at the Tower of London today as part of the WWI centenary commemorations. Last night lights were turned off for an hour at public buildings including Downing Street, Tower Bridge and the FA to mark the centenary of Britain’s entry into the First World War.

5. FORMER DJ ADMITS CHILD SEX OFFENCES

Former Radio 1 DJ Chris Denning has admitted a string of sex offences against boys as young as nine, dating back to 1967. The 73-year-old pleaded guilty to 29 charges at Southwark Crown Court, but denied 12 others and will face trial later. Denning was charged as part of Operation Yewtree, set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

6. 'DEVICE' ON PLANE: RAF JET SCRAMBLED

A passenger on board a Qatar Airways plane was arrested at Manchester airport today on suspicion of making a hoax bomb threat after an RAF fighter was scrambled to escort the plane down. The airport was briefly closed and a plane carrying Manchester United was held up by the incident. Police said they had treated the situation as "a full emergency".

RAF escorts Qatar Airways plane to Manchester

7. ECCLESTONE PAYS £60M TO END TRIAL

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, on trial for bribery in Germany, has agreed to pay £60m to end the case. The 83-year-old was allowed to make the offer under German law. He walked free from court in Munich today having been found neither guilty nor innocent. Ecclestone was accused of paying a banker £26m to undervalue shares in F1.

Bernie Ecclestone bribery case: what is F1 boss charged with?

8. WARSI QUITS CABINET OVER GAZA

Baroness Warsi, a senior Foreign Office minister and the first Muslim to sit in the Cabinet, has resigned in protest at the Government's policy on Gaza, describing it as "morally indefensible". She posted her resignation letter on Twitter. Her resignation comes as pressure grows on David Cameron to condemn Israel's actions in Gaza.

Baroness Warsi: was Gaza the only motive for resignation?

9. SCHOOLBOYS FIND GOLD TRESS FROM 2,300BC

A group of primary school children in Cumbria unearthed a gold hair decoration believed to date back to 2,300BC as they took part in a demonstration dig at a burial mound. Seven-year-old Joseph Bell said when he saw the tress in the soil he started “dancing with joy”. A similar item was found in 1935.

10. HOT TICKET: DESSA ROSE MUSICAL

American musical Dessa Rose has opened at Trafalgar Studios, London. Cynthia Erivo stars as a pregnant slave accused of murder who forms an unlikely friendship with a white woman plantation owner. Erivo is “sensational”, says the Evening Standard. Until 30 August.

Dessa Rose - reviews of 'thrilling' slavery musical