Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 20 Oct 2014

1. US AIR-DROPS ARMS TO KURDS IN KOBANE

The US has dropped weapons, ammunition and medical supplies to Kurdish fighters battling against forces from Islamic State in the Syrian-Turkish border town of Kobane, where it has also carried out air strikes. Meanwhile, Turkey is to allow Iraqi Kurdish fighters to cross the Syrian border to fight IS, in what is seen as a policy reversal.

2. HUGE FIRE AT POWER STATION INVESTIGATED

Firefighters are seeking the cause of a massive blaze which has shut down half of Didcot B power station in Oxfordshire. The fire broke out at 8pm last night. At its height, 25 fire engines and 100 firefighters were involved in bringing it under control. The cause is not thought to be arson or terrorism.

Major fire at Didcot B power station investigated

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3. PAEDOPHILES TO ESCAPE PROSECUTION

Thousands of paedophiles will escape prosecution because they do not present a big enough "risk" to children, the National Crime Agency has admitted. Around 660 people were arrested during a recent operation targeting online child abuse. However, the NCS has warned that it is "not realistic" to prosecute all the people who had accessed images of children.

Police trap 25,000 paedophiles – but they won't face justice

4. 'BARROSO IS NOT MY BOSS,' WARNS CAMERON

Prime Minister David Cameron has hit back at Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, after he criticised efforts to cap immigration into the UK and said the country would have "zero influence" if it left the EU. Cameron responded today by saying he only answered to British voters, and warned that Barroso was not his "boss".

UK would have 'zero influence' if it left the EU, warns Barroso

5. UK BRACED FOR GALES FROM GONZALO

The Met Office has issued a ‘yellow’ weather warning for most parts of the UK, with the tail end of Hurricane Gonzalo, which has caused widespread damage in Bermuda, sweeping across the country from Tuesday. Gusts of up to 70mph are expected to cause travel disruption and difficult driving conditions.

Hurricane Gonzalo: storm causes travel disruption

6. RUSSIA DENIES SUB INCIDENT OFF SWEDEN

Russia has denied reports that one of its submarines is in trouble in Swedish waters near Stockholm. Sweden has stepped up naval activity since Friday following what its military said was “foreign underwater activity” but has not admitted looking for a submarine. Ships and helicopters are active in the area after reports that Sweden intercepted a distress signal in Russian.

7. ROYAL BABY EXPECTED IN APRIL

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have confirmed that their second child is due in April. The official announcement came from Kensington Palace this morning. Kate has now passed the 12-week mark and it is thought that the arrival of the royal baby could coincide with the Queen’s birthday, on April 21, or the couple's wedding anniversary on April 29.

Princess Charlotte to start nursery school in January

8. EBOLA: NURSE 'CURED', NIGERIA FREE

A Spanish nurse who was the first person to contract the Ebola virus outside of West Africa may have been cured. Teresa Romero, of Madrid, has tested negative for the virus - but a second test will be required for certainty. In Africa the WHO has declared Nigeria officially free of Ebola after six weeks with no new cases.

Fox-pox: Ebola crisis 'shows Obama's hatred for America'

9. ACTRESS LYNDA BELLINGHAM DIES

Actress Lynda Bellingham has died at the age of 66 after a battle with colon cancer. Best known for her role as the mother of the 'Oxo family' in a series of 1980s adverts she was also a panelist on talk show Loose Women, and her final appearance will be broadcast this week. In August she announced she was abandoning chemotherapy.

Five things you didn't know about Oxo star Lynda Bellingham

10. HOT TICKET: GYPSY IN CHICHESTER

A revival of Stephen Sondheim's Gypsy has opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Imelda Staunton stars as Momma Rose, a vaudeville showbiz mother struggling to keep the dated family act going after one of her teenage daughters quits the show. "Scintillating," says The Times. Until 8 November.

Gypsy – reviews of 'sumptuous' Sondheim revival