Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 13 Aug 2014

1. ROBIN WILLIAMS: DEATH CAUSES SUICIDE ROW

Robin Williams's daughter, Zelda, has quit Twitter after after being abused by other users over her father's suicide, as controversy rages over a tweet sent by the Hollywood academy after the comic's death, with the message: "Genie, you're free". Some have complained it glorifies suicide. There have been claims the 63-year-old actor faced "serious money troubles".

Robin Williams: cause of death fails to provide all the answers

2. FRENCH TO SUPPLY ARMS TO KURDS IN IRAQ

Iraq War hero colonel Tim Collins says UK troops must help the Kurds, fighting Islamic State militants in northern Iraq, comparing massacres carried out in Iraq with the genocides of Stalin and Pol Pot. French President Francois Hollande has announced he will supply arms to the Kurdish forces, while plans are drawn up to help members of the stranded Yazidi sect.

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Iraq crisis: politicians, soldiers and now public back UK action

3. VOTERS ‘FRUSTRATED’ BY ‘WEAK’ MILIBAND

Ed Miliband’s “weak leadership” is the greatest concern among swing voters ahead of the general election, a study has found. According to Tory research, seen by the Daily Telegraph, voters feel "frustrated" by Miliband and have been left with “absolutely no awareness” of the “summer offensive” launched by his party in recent weeks.

4. ACTRESS LAUREN BACALL DIES AT 89

Hollywood star Lauren Bacall has died at the age of 89 after suffering a stroke at her New York home. Her death was announced by the estate of her first husband Humphrey Bogart. "With deep sorrow, yet with great gratitude for her amazing life, we confirm the passing of Lauren Bacall," the estate said. She starred in films such as The Big Sleep, The Mirror Has Two Faces and To Have And Have Not.

Five things you didn't know about Lauren Bacall

5. SIX DIE AS MISSILE EXPLODES IN GAZA

Six people have been killed in Gaza after an unexploded Israeli missile blew up during an attempt to dismantle it. The dead included bomb disposal officers and two journalists, one from Italy. A three-day truce between Israel and Hamas was due to expire today. The British government has warned it suspend some of its arms exports to Israel if hostilities resume.

6. UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN, BUT WAGES FALL TOO

Unemployment figures are at a six-year low, but average wages have also fallen for first time since 2009, according to the Office for National Statistics. The number of unemployed as at 2.08 at the end of June, at 6.4% it is the lowest number since late 2008. However, average weekly earnings dropped 0.2% in the three months to June.

UK unemployment down – but so is the average wage

7. ALEXANDER-ERA TOMB FOUND IN GREECE

Greek archaeologists have discovered a vast tomb that they believe is connected with the reign of the warrior-king Alexander the Great. The tomb, found beneath a huge burial mound near the ancient site of Amphipolis in northern Greece, dates to around 300 BC, and may have held the body of one of Alexander's generals or a member of his family.

8. SWISS TRAIN DERAILED BY LANDSLIDE

A train has been derailed after a landslide near the Swiss ski resort of St Moritz, with reports that one of the carriages has plunged into a ravine. Police described it as a "serious" accident but the number of casualties remains unclear. Some injured passengers have been taken to hospital by helicopter. The landslide was caused by heavy rains.

9. ATHLETICS: GOLD AT 40 FOR JO PAVEY

A 40-year-old mother of two has won gold in the 10,000m as Britain’s European Championships gets off to an extraordinary start. Jo Pavey, who gave birth to her daughter Emily 11 months ago, overtook France's Clemence Calvin - 16 years her junior and almost 20 seconds faster this season - in the final lap. Pavey becomes the oldest female gold medallist in the championships' history.

10. HOT TICKET: THE JAMES PLAYS

A trilogy of plays illuminating the reigns of three 15th-century Scottish kings has opened at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Rona Munro's deft writing captures "something elusive about Scottishness", says the Daily Telegraph. Until 22 August in Edinburgh, and from 10 September at the National Theatre, London.

The James Plays reviews – 'an astonishing achievement'