Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 22 Oct 2014

1. I.S HOSTAGE FATHER PAUL CANTLIE DIES

Paul Cantlie, father of the photojournalist John Cantlie, who is being held hostage by Sunni militants IS (Islamic State), has died in hospital at the age of 80 of complications following a bout of pneumonia. John Cantlie has appeared in several propaganda videos issued by the militant group in recent months.

2. EBOLA SERUM FOR WEST AFRICA ‘IN WEEKS’

The World Health Organisation says serum made from the blood of recovered Ebola sufferers could be available to treat patients in Liberia, the centre of a devastating outbreak of the virus in West Africa, within “weeks”. The WHO also says drugs and a vaccine could be ready by January of next year.

Ebola: US suit stockpile causes shortage in Africa

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3. MIKE READ PULLS UKIP CALYPSO SONG

Former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read has asked for a pro-Ukip song he recorded in a fake Caribbean accent to be withdrawn from sale after complaints that it was racist. The song, Ukip Calypso, sings the praises of Nigel Farage and complains about mass immigration and the power of the EU. Read insisted the song was not meant to cause offence, and said it was "satire".

Fury over Ukip's European alliance with holocaust deniers

4. US AIR DROPS ARMS TO I.S BY MISTAKE

The US is investigating after a video appeared on the internet which seems to show American weapons in the hands of Islamic State (IS) fighters. It’s thought they came from 27 bundles of guns and ammunition air-dropped by the US to its Kurdish allies. The Pentagon said the majority had reached the right hands.

US 'drops weapons into hands of Islamic State'

5. PM WANTS ACTION ON FOREIGN CRIMINALS

The Prime Minister has said the "buck stops with me" when it comes to tackling foreign criminals after a National Audiot Office report said there were "too many obstacles", including human rights legislations, preventing offenders from being deported. He called for cross-party support to deal with the issue of foreign criminals, which last year cost £850m.

6. WIND ENERGY BEATS NUCLEAR PLANTS

The UK’s wind farms generated more electricity than its nuclear plants in a 24-hour period for the first time on Tuesday. The cause was a combination of high winds as the tail end of Hurricane Gonzalo hit and faults at nuclear plants. Together, wind and nuclear still made less than one third of the UK’s energy.

7. SHOTS FIRED AT CANADIAN PARLIAMENT

Canada's parliament in Ottowa was locked down today after a gunman shot a soldier at the country's National War Memorial and fled to government buildings where more shots were fired. Canada raised its terror threat on Tuesday after a Muslim convert was killed by police in Quebec after deliberately running down two soldiers, killing one.

8. BOXER BANNED AFTER HOSPITALISING REFEREE

A teenage Croatian boxer has been banned for life after hospitalising a referee who stopped his fight. Vido Loncar attacked Polish referee Mageja Dziurgota in the ring after Dziurgota ended the fight and named Lithuanian Algirdas Baniulis winner. He floored him with a punch to the head and other blows.

Boxer attacks referee after losing fight – shocking video

9. ABUSE PROBE: WOOLF UNDER PRESSURE

Fiona Woolf, the second person to lead the goverment's inquiry into historic child abuse claims, is under pressure to step down over links to Lord Brittan, who was home secretary when a file about alleged Westminster paedophiles went missing from his department. Lawyers have called for her to step down and one victim has launched a legal challenge.

Child sex abuse inquiry: First public hearings finally begin

10. HOT TICKET: CHERRY ORCHARD UPDATED

A new version of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, has opened at the Young Vic theatre, London. Katie Mitchell directs Simon Stephens's adaptation of the tale of an aristocratic family, struggling with the realisation they must sell the family estate. "Captivating," says The Times. Until 29 November.

The Cherry Orchard – reviews of 'captivating' Chekhov update