Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 27 Nov 2014

1. US EBOLA VACCINE TRIAL IS ‘PROMISING’

The first trial of an experimental vaccine which aims to give protection against both strains of the Ebola virus, one of which is currently killing thousands in West Africa, has been “promising”, US scientists say. The vaccine, genetically engineered from a chimpanzee cold virus, was given to 20 volunteers.

Ebola: experimental vaccine trial an 'unqualified success'

2. UK NET MIGRATION UP TO 260,000

Net migration to the UK jumped to 260,000 in the year to June despite David Cameron's promise to lower the figure to less than 100,000 by May 2015. The statistics, from the ONS, show a total of 583,000 people immigrated to the UK during the 12 months to June, with numbers from inside and outside the EU both jumping considerably.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

3. BRITON KILLED IN KABUL SUICIDE ATTACK

A suicide bomber in Afghanistan has struck a British embassy vehicle in Kabul. At least four people have been killed, including a Briton who was part of the embassy security team. Around 30 have been injured. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, which was followed by a second explosion and reports of gunfire in the capital.

Afghanistan: 'British diplomat' killed in Kabul bomb attack

4. SCOTS PARLIAMENT TO BE GIVEN TAX POWER

The Scottish Parliament is to be given full control of income tax and control over some welfare payments under recommendations made by Lord Smith, published today. The report, compiled after promises made by the three main parties before the referendum, will also lower the voting age to 16.

Cameron in Scotland for devolution talks with Sturgeon

5. STAGECOACH AND VIRGIN WIN EAST COAST

A consortium formed by Stagecoach and Virgin has won the franchise to run the East Coast rail service linking London and Edinburgh. East Coast has been publicly-run since 2009 and the rail workers’ union RMT called its re-privatisation a “national disgrace” and an “act of utter betrayal”.

East Coast mainline: Virgin-Stagecoach takeover 'a national disgrace'

6. BATSMAN HUGHES DIES AFTER BALL STRIKE

Australian cricketer Phil Hughes has died in hospital, two days after being hit by the ball during a domestic match in Sydney. Hughes, who also played for Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire, was hit by a bouncer bowled by Sean Abbott. His family said cricket had been Hughes’s life.

Cricketer Phil Hughes dies from 'catastrophic' bouncer injury

7. KIM JONG-UN’S SISTER GIVEN PARTY TITLE

North Korea has revealed the rank of dictator Kim Jong-un’s little sister, Kim Yo-jong. The 26-year-old, who is expected to become a close adviser to her brother, is officially a vice-department director of the ruling party’s central committee. She has been spotted with her brother on official visits.

Kim Jong Nam death: murder trial begins in Malaysia

8. ANDY MURRAY GETS ENGAGED TO KIM SEARS

Wimbledon winner Andy Murray became engaged to his girlfriend Kim Sears last week, it has emerged. The Scottish tennis star, 29, asked the 26-year-old to marry him with a diamond ring. Sears is the daughter of player-turned-coach Nigel Sears and is an artist who specialises in animal portraits.

Andy Murray proposes to Kim Sears after 'designing ring'

9. AUTHOR PD JAMES DIES AGED 94

Crime author PD James, the creator of detective Adam Dalgliesh, has died at the age of 94. She died "peacefully at her home in Oxford" said her agent. James's first novel, Cover Her Face, was published in 1962 when she was 42-year-old, and despite her success she kept her job at the Home Office until 1979. Her final novel, Death Comes to Pemberley, came out in 2011.

10. HOT TICKET: WAR PHOTOS AT TATE

A new exhibition, Conflict, Time, Photography, has opened today at Tate Modern, London. It uses photographs to document the immediate and long-term effects of war across 150 years, including work by Don McCullin, Bill Brandt and Lee Miller. "Haunting," says the Daily Telegraph. Until 15 March.

Conflict, Time, Photography - reviews of 'haunting' Tate show