Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 17 Nov 2014

1. WESTERN JIHADISTS HUNTED AFTER I.S VIDEO

Western jihadists are thought to be among the Islamic State members featured in a video that shows the beheading of US aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig and other prisoners. President Obama described the murder of aid worker Kassig, known as Peter before he converted to Islam, as an “act of pure evil”. Western intelligence services are using facial recognition technology to identify the murderers.

2. EXCLUSION ZONE FOR BIRD FLU FARM IN YORKS

An exclusion zone has been placed around a duck farm in Nafferton, East Yorkshire, where at least one case of avian flu has been confirmed. Defra says 6,000 ducks are to be culled but insists the risk to public health is “very low”. The 3km protection zone will mean farmers are not allowed to move animals.

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H7N7 virus: bird flu confirmed at poultry farm in Lancashire

3. DONCASTER SCHOOL MOURNS CAR CRASH FIVE

Pupils and teachers at a Doncaster school are mourning the death of four pupils and one ex-pupil all aged between 16 and 18 who died in a “horrific” two-car crash on Saturday night. The other driver suffered a broken leg while a 21-year-old in a third car has been arrested on a dangerous driving charge.

4. CAMERON: WARNING OVER WORLD ECONOMY

David Cameron has said the “red warning lights” are flashing for the global economy. Speaking after the G20 summit in Brisbane, the PM said a “dangerous backdrop of instability” threatened the UK’s economic recovery and meant “we should stick to our long-term plan” of austerity. His comments came after Japan unexpectedly went into recession.

Recession 'red alert': PM seeks to scare us into voting Tory

5. GUILTY VERDICT IN SECRET TERROR TRIAL

A suspected terrorist who was tried in secret has been found guilty of possessing a bomb-making document, it can now be reported. Erol Incedal was convicted of the charge last week, but faces a retrial on another count of preparing for acts of terrorism after the jury failed to reach a verdict. Another man also pleaded guilty to the bomb document charge.

6. CALLS FOR FIFA WORLD CUP BOYCOTT

David Bernstein the former chairman of the English FA has called for European nations to boycott the 2018 World Cup unless Fifa embarks on a programme of meaningful reform. His call comes after a Fifa report into the 2018 and 2022 World Cups cleared Russia and Qatar of wrongdoing. "At some stage, you have to walk the walk," he said.

Fifa crisis: World Cup boycott could prompt football schism

7. CHURCH OF ENGLAND APPROVES WOMEN BISHOPS

The Church of England has formally approved legislation that will allow female bishops to be ordained from next year. The change to canon law was passed by a majority at the General Synod with a simple show of hands. The first diocese after the change become vacant will be Southwell and Nottingham. It will be followed by Gloucester, Oxford and Newcastle.

Women bishops: Church of England to approve law

8. X FACTOR LAUNCH FOR BAND AID SINGLE

A newly re-worked version of the Band Aid song Do They Know It’s Christmas was launched on the X Factor TV talent show last night. The single, released 30 years after the original, features One Direction, Bono from U2, Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran, Paloma Faith, Emeli Sande, Rita Ora and Elbow.

Band Aid 30 sales go 'bonkers' but is it patronising and clumsy?

9. KISSING TRANSFERS 80 MILLION BACTERIA

Scientists have found that a 10-second kiss can transfer as many as 80 million different types of bacteria. It was already known the mouth is home to 700 million different types of bug. Now, the new report by Dutch researchers reveals how some are more easily exchanged than others.

A ten-second kiss can transmit 80 million bugs

10. HOT TICKET: ALLEN JONES SURVEY SHOW

The Royal Academy of Arts, London is showing a major survey of work by British Pop artist Allen Jones. It features Jones' notorious 'fetish furniture' pieces, as well as sculptures and paintings from the 1960s to the present day. "Endless pleasure," says the Daily Telegraph. Until 25 January.

Allen Jones – reviews of Royal Academy survey exhibition

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