Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 11 Aug 2014

1. IDS: BENEFIT CUTS ‘VITAL’ FOR ECONOMY

Cutting benefits is vital for the economic recovery, Iain Duncan Smith will say today. The Work and Pensions Secretary will use a speech to argue that the coalition government’s welfare reforms will lead to a “more contented future”. He will also make a number of highly critical remarks about the Labour Party’s record on both immigration and welfare.

2. NEW TRUCE BETWEEN ISRAEL & HAMAS

A fresh three-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began overnight. The agreement came after days of intense mediation by Egypt. It is hoped the truce will open the way for peace talks in Egypt following a weekend of heavy fire which took the number of dead beyond 2,000, consisting of 1,939 Palestinians and 67 on the Israeli side.

3. UKRAINE PRISON BREAK AFTER SHELLING

More than 100 inmates escaped from a high-security prison on the outskirts of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine during a riot after it was hit by shells. Murderers, robbers and rapists were among the 106 escapees, although 34 have been recaptured. Ukrainian government forces have been bombarding the rebel-held city in recent days.

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4. BERTHA BRINGS SUMMER STORM TO UK

The remnants of Hurricane Bertha are continuing to affect parts of England and Scotland. The Met Office has put a yellow warning in place for parts of northern England with an amber warning in Scotland. The Environment Agency has six flood warnings in place, with 47 flood alerts. Wet and windy weather brought disruption to the country over the weekend.

Hurricane Bertha: is this the end of the British summer?

5. MCILROY WINS US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Rory McIlroy won the US PGA Championship in dramatic style at a rain-swept Valhalla. The world number one saw his overnight one-shot lead wiped out on the front nine before digging deep to take control after the turn and winning by one shot. The Northern Irishman becomes the first man to win back-to-back majors since Padraig Harrington in 2008.

McIlroy PGA triumph consigns Woods, Wozniacki to the past

6. ANOTHER FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTER QUITS

Mark Simmons has become the second Foreign Office minister to resign in the space of a week. The Tory MP for Boston and Skegness has quit the government and will not stand in next year's general election. He blamed a "lack of support available to MPs with families outside of London". Last week baroness Warsi resigned over Gaza.

7. MALIKI OUT AMID IRAQI POLITICAL TURMOIL

Iraq is in political turmoil after the country's Kurdish president Fuad Masum reportedly asked parliamentary speaker Haider al-Abadi to replace Nuri al-Maliki as prime minister. Abadi is thought to have the support of Shia parties who have joined Sunnis and Kurds in urging Maliki to go. Maliki said on Sunday he would take Masum to court.

Mount Sinjar crisis: pressure on Cameron to recall parliament

8. BOXING LEGEND NOW LIVING AS WOMAN

Former boxing promoter Frank Maloney has revealed he is undergoing a sex change and living as a woman called Kellie. She said: "I wasn't born into the right body. I have always known I was a woman. I can't keep living in the shadows." Writing on Facebook, Maloney's former client Lennox Lewis said: “I respect Kellie's decision and say that if this is what brings about true happiness in her life, than so be it.”

Frank Maloney: trans news sparks shock, support and humour

9. RAMPANT GUNNERS BEAT MAN CITY

An impressive Arsenal beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield at Wembley yesterday. Goals from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey gave the Gunners a deserved half-time lead. In the second half, substitute Olivier Giroud made it three with a spectacular, dipping effort from 25 yards. City were missing several key players.

Arsenal back in business as Wenger demands consistency

10. HOT TICKET: MY NIGHT WITH REG REVIVED

A revival of Kevin Elyot's comedy My Night with Reg has opened at the Donmar Warehouse, London. In the summer of 1985, a group of gay friends gather for a party where they reveal their sexual encounters and realise their lives will change forever. "Wickedly funny," says The Daily Telegraph. Until 27 September.

My Night with Reg - reviews of 'wickedly funny' gay comedy