Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 25 Jun 2015

1. Islamic State re-enters Kurd-held Syrian town of Kobane

Islamic State (IS) fighters have re-entered the strategically-important northern Syrian town Kobane, activists in Syria have warned. Kurdish forces seized the town from IS in January this year after a prolonged series of air strikes by a US-led coalition. Kobane is on the Syrian border with Turkey.

Islamic State mounts fresh assault on Kobane

2. Cameron takes his EU reform plans to European leaders

David Cameron will address EU leaders today, setting out his desire for reform to the 28-member union. While the European Council summit in Brussels will be the first time the PM’s plans have been discussed collectively by EU leaders, the Greek crisis is expected to dominate the agenda.

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Remain-voting City lobby group calls for 'dramatic Brexit U-turn'

3. Greek debt: talks break down again as time runs out

Talks in Brussels between Greece and its eurozone creditors remain deadlocked as optimism over Athens’s proposals fades. EU leaders have warned that Greece must impose more austerity measures to avoid defaulting, but have rejected the latest proposals. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that the talks are going nowhere.

Greece finally reaches deal to release €12bn bailout funds

4. UK population jumps almost 500,000 to 64.6 million

The population of the UK grew by almost half-a-million to 64.6 million people between mid-2013 and mid-2014, according to new government figures. Out of an increase of 491,1000, net migration contributed 259,700 people, while there were 226,200 more births than deaths. The ONS said growth was "above average".

5. More convictions than ever for violence against women

Figures for England and Wales show that more people than ever were prosecuted last year for violence against women and girls. The CPS says there were 107,000 cases brought in the year up to April, an 18% increase on the previous year. The data also shows rape convictions fell to 57%.

Violence against women: record number of convictions reported

6. Lee Rigby revenge attacker guilty of attempted murder

A racist who attacked a trainee dentist with a machete and hammer in a north Wales supermarket has been found guilty of attempted murder. Zack Davies, 26, shouted white power slogans as he slashed and hit Sarandev Bhambra at a Tesco store in Mold, Flintshire. He carried out the attack following the murder of Lee Rigby.

7. Praise for Sir Lenny Henry, despite first-night stumble

Lenny Henry, recently knighted for his charitable work, has been praised for his performance as Frank in a revival of Educating Rita - even though he forgot his lines. Half an hour in, Sir Lenny told the audience: “I’ve completely gone.” He left the stage but returned to finish the play.

8. Network Rail upgrade plans scaled back over rising costs

Plans for a £38.5bn upgrade of Britain's railways are to be scaled back by the government because of rising costs and missed targets. Network Rail, which owns the UK's tracks and stations, said the plans, hailed as the "largest modernisation of the railways since Victorian times", had been too ambitious.

Is Network Rail reform a 'slippery slope to privatisation'?

9. ‘Twerking’ dates back to 1820, say Oxford lexicographers

Lexicographers at the Oxford English Dictionary say they were “quite surprised” to find that the word “twerk”, originally spelt “twirk”, has been used since at least 1820. While they now list “twerking” as a “sexually provocative … squatting dance” it at first referred to any jerky movement.

Ten craziest new Oxford dictionary words, from moobs to squee

10. Briefing: are we facing a new cold war?

Washington has announced that it will be repositioning tanks and heavy weapons in Eastern Europe, in the latest escalation in the simmering conflict between Russia and the US that is threatening a return to the days of the Cold War. The move is meant to reassure Nato's allies that have been unnerved by recent threats from Russia and terrorist groups, says Voice of America News. But the Russian defence ministry said stationing the artillery on its doorstep would be the most aggressive act by the US since the Cold War.

Russia and America: how serious is the threat of a new Cold War?