Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 3 Sep 2014

1. PUTIN HOPES FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he hopes a peace deal between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels can be agreed by Friday. His comments come as US President Barack Obama arrived in Estonia for talks with Nato's Baltic members. Later this week, Obama will attend a Nato summit, where plans for a rapid-response force in will be discussed.

Why has Putin agreed to 'ceasefire' with Ukraine?

2. UK HOSTAGE THREAT AFTER BEHEADING

David Cameron has condemned the "barbaric" beheading of a US hostage by Islamic State militants and vowed that Britain "will not waver" in its battle against terror. President Obama said the US would not be "intimidated" by IS. In a video of journalist Steven Sotloff's execution the group warned that a UK hostage would be next.

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Islamic State: RAF jets carry out first air strikes in Iraq

3. BLOCK CALAIS OVER MIGRANTS, SAYS MAYOR

The Mayor of Calais has threatened to block the port, illegally, to send a message to the UK in protest at the international migrants who live in makeshift camps there as they wait to try to enter Britain. Natacha Bouchart blames UK immigration policy and is angry the UK will not fund increased security.

4. ASHYA PARENTS REUNITED WITH SON

The parents of five-year-old Ashya King, who has a brain tumour, have been reunited with their son after being released from a jail in Spain. Brett and Naghemeh King were arrested after removing their son from a Southampton hospital and taking him to Spain. However, they were freed when the CPS found their child was not in danger.

Ashya King 'cured of cancer' by treatment denied on the NHS

5. ROTHERHAM POLICE CHIEF ABUSE CLAIM

The former chief constable of South Yorkshire police says he was completely unaware of the systematic sexual exploitation of children in Rotherham during his time in charge. Mike Hedges, who ran the force from 1998 to 2004, said his "first inkling" of the scandal was when it appeared on the news. He denied claims of incompetence.

6. JOAN RIVERS REMAINS ON LIFE SUPPORT

Pioneering female stand-up Joan Rivers, famous for her lewd humour and many bouts of plastic surgery, remains on life support in hospital after suffering a heart attack last week, her daughter Melissa has said. The 81-year-old went into cardiac arrest after stopping breathing during an operation on her vocal chords.

7. MEADOW PROTECTION PLAN BACKFIRES

Around 98 per cent of England’s traditional meadows have been lost to intensive farming. Now it has emerged the rate of decline nearly doubled after the EU announced plans to protect the bio-diverse grassy areas, as farmers rushed to plough them up before the new rules came into effect.

8. BRITISH EBOLA PATIENT RECOVERS

British Ebola patient William Pooley has been discharged from hospital after recovering from the illness. The nurse contracted the deadly virus while working in Sierra Leone. He was flown back to London and treated in a special isolation unit at the Royal Free Hospital where he was given the experimental drug zMapp.

Ebola: US suit stockpile causes shortage in Africa

9. ROYAL SELFIES? ONE IS NOT AMUSED

The Queen finds the recent trend for people taking ‘selfies’ with HRH in the background “strange” and misses “eye contact” according to US ambassador Matthew Barzun. The diplomat told Tatler the monarch had disclosed her disapproval to him during a “nice chat” at Buckingham palace.

10. HOT TICKET: EYE OF A NEEDLE DEBUT

Chris MacDonald's debut satire Eye of a Needle has opened at the Southwark Playhouse, London. A hard-partying UK immigration officer is forced to confront difficult issues when he processes the asylum application of a Ugandan gay rights activist. "Explosive," says The Times. Until 20 September.

Eye of a Needle – 'scorching' new satire about asylum