Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 14 Oct 2014

1. KURDS RECLAIM HILL IN KOBANE BATTLE

Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State militants in Syria have recaptured a strategically important hilltop near the town of Kobane near the border with Turkey. IS troops besieging the town have been targeted by US-led air strikes. Meanwhile, Amnesty International has warned that Shia militias in Iraq have been killing Sunni civilians in retaliation for IS attacks.

Military leaders to hammer out new plan to fight Islamic State

2. HEATHROW BEGINS SCREENING FOR EBOLA

Passengers arriving from at-risk countries are being screened for the Ebola virus at Heathrow Airport. Screening has begun at Terminal 1 and will be rolled out to other terminals and then to Gatwick Airport and the Eurostar rail service. Experts expect a handful of infected people to reach the UK by Christmas.

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3. TERROR SUSPECT HAD BLAIR ADDRESS

A man on trial for plotting a terror attack on British soil had the home address of former prime minister Tony Blair and may have been planning a Mumbai-style massacre the Old Bailey has heard. Erol Incedal from south London, who is being tried partly in secret, was arrested last October. He denies preparing for acts of terrorism.

4. KIM JONG-UN MAKES ‘PUBLIC APPEARANCE’

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has made his first public appearance since 3 September, according to state media. Speculation had been growing internationally that the young dictator had either been ousted in a coup or was struggling with ill-health. ‘New’ pictures show Kim using a stick to walk.

Kim Jong Nam death: murder trial begins in Malaysia

5. PRISON WOULD 'BREAK' PISTORIUS, COURT TOLD

The sentencing hearing of Oscar Pistorius, who shot dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year, has been told that sending him to prison would not be a "constructive" punishment because of his disability. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel has described calls for community service "shockingly inappropriate" and today questioned Pistorius's "caring" image.

Oscar Pistorius out of legal options as request to appeal rejected

6. MPS VOTE IN FAVOUR OF PALESTINIAN STATE

British MPs have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion to recognise the state of Palestine. The motion was passed 274-12 after the first full debate on the issue since 2012. The result is not binding on the UK government and David Cameron has said the official non-recognition will not change.

7. INFLATION FALLS TO FIVE-YEAR LOW

UK inflation fell to a five-year low of 1.2% in September, down from 1.5% the month before, according to the Office for National Statistics. The drop in the Consumer Prices Index has been attributed to lower energy and food prices and cheaper transport costs. The Retail Prices Index also fell to 2.3%. Interest rate rises could now be postponed.

8. VATICAN BISHOPS: 'WELCOME GAY PEOPLE'

A report by Catholic bishops has been heralded as signalling a major shift in the church’s attitude to homosexuality. It says gay people have “gifts and qualities to offer” the church and same-sex relationships can be a “precious support”, before asking if the church can “welcome” homosexuals.

9. GODFREY BLOOM QUITS 'TOO PC' UKIP

Former Ukip MEP Godfrey Bloom has quit the party claiming it had become too politically correct. Bloom, who once referred to women as "sluts" and said government aid went to "bongo-bongo land", resigned after being told not to speak at a meeting in Wearside by party chairman Steve Crowther. Bloom warned new Ukip MP Douglas Carswell to be wary of backstabbers.

10. HOT TICKET: SIGMAR POLKE TATE SHOW

A major retrospective of experimental German artist Sigmar Polke, Alibis 1963-2010, has opened at Tate Modern, London. It features work spanning Polke's five-decade career including painting, drawing, photography, film, sculpture, notebooks and projections in unconventional materials and styles. "Wondrous," says The Guardian. Until 8 February.

Sigmar Polke, Alibis – reviews of 'kaleidoscopic' Tate show