Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 2 Dec 2014

1. GUNMEN KILL 36 IN KENYA QUARRY ATTACK

The Somali Islamist terror group al-Shabab has killed at least 36 workers at a quarry in northern Kenya, prompting the resignation of the country's police chief, David Kimaiyo, and dismissal of interior minister, Joseph Ole Lenku, who many blame for the rise in insurgency. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta calledon the country to unite against extremists.

2. HIV BECOMING LESS INFECTIOUS AND WEAKER

A major study led by the University of Oxford has found that HIV is becoming less deadly and less infectious as it evolves to deal with the human immune system. Some virologists believe the virus could eventually become “almost harmless” as it spreads around the world. More than 35 million are infected.

HIV: why the virus could eventually be 'almost harmless'

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3. I.S LEADER’S WIFE HELD BY LEBANON

The wife and son of Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the leader of Sunni militants Islamic State, have been arrested at the Syrian border by Lebanese troops working with “foreign intelligence apparatus”, local news reports say. The US, with middle-eastern allies, has been carrying out air strikes on IS for months.

4. FLOOD PROTECTION FOR 300,000 HOMES

More than 1,400 flood defence projects, involving 300,000 homes, have been chosen to receive a share of £2.3bn funding over the next six years. But campaigners warn there is still a £500m shortfall. Officials say the funding will help to prevent more than £30bn of future damage to the economy.

Flood defences: £2.3bn fund will protect 300,000 homes

5. HAWKING'S ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FEAR

Professor Stephen Hawking has warned that developments in artificial intelligence "could spell the end of the human race". He made the comments when asked about the new technology he uses to communicate, which suggests the words he might want to use. He told the BBC that if AI ever overtook human intelligence we "would be superseded".

Stephen Hawking: artificial intelligence could destroy human race

6. BICESTER TO BECOME NEW GARDEN CITY

The town of Bicester in Oxfordshire has been chosen as the site of the coalition's second new garden city. Up to 13,000 new homes will be built in the area, backed by nearly £100m of public spending and loans. The town is also in line for a new railway station. Ebbsfleet in Kent was selected as the first new garden city earlier this year.

7. CHINA BLOCKS MPS' HONG KONG VISIT

China has told MPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee that they cannot make a planned trip to the former colony. In an emergency Commons debate MPs were told the decision was "wrong and will have a profound impact" as it violated an agreement to allow Hong Kong to govern its own borders for 50 years as part of the deal that saw the colony change hands.

8. BALOTELLI FACES FA RACISM INVESTIGATION

Eccentric Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is to be investigated by the FA after posting a picture on social network Instagram which some say is racist. The "anti-racist" picture said cartoon character Super Mario “jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew”. Balotelli pointed out that his foster mother is Jewish.

Balotelli race storm over Super Mario ‘blacks and Jews’ quote

9. CRUISE CAPTAIN DEFENDS HIS SKILLS

Francesco Schettino, the captain of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, which sank off the Italian coast in January 2012 killing 32 people has denied that he sailed too close to the island of Giglio to impress a dancer. He defended his navigational skills, and claimed the manoeuvre was partly to make the cruise more attractive to passengers.

Costa’s ‘Captain Coward’ faces the music – but why alone?

10. HOT TICKET: TRUE WAR FILM KAJAKI

A new drama about British soldiers in Afghanistan, Kajaki: The True Story, has opened in UK cinemas. Based on real events, it follows the fates of a group of British soldiers who become trapped in a minefield in Helmand province. "Blistering war pic," says Empire.

Kajaki: The True Story - reviews of ‘blistering war pic'