Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 29 Jul 2015

1. French send extra police after 1,500 rush Channel Tunnel

David Cameron has said the migrant crisis in Calais is “very concerning” after 1,500 migrants tried to storm the Channel Tunnel to reach the UK last night, with one dying in the attempt. Theresa May chaired a Cobra committee meeting to discuss the situation today. France has sent an extra 120 police to Calais to try and maintain order.

Refugee crisis: Calais Jungle children 'have nowhere to sleep'

2. Barclays reports 25% rise as profits hit £3.14bn

One month after new chairman John McFarlane sacked chief executive Antony Jenkins, Barclays bank has announced a 25 per cent rise in statutory profits for the six months to the end of June. Before tax, the bank’s profit was £3.14bn. The bank also set aside another £850m to compensate customers, partly for the mis-selling of PPI.

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Barclays and four ex-bankers charged with 2008 fraud

3. Microsoft launches Windows 10 software package

Microsoft has launched its new software package, Windows 10, which it claims will usher in a "new era" for personal computing. The package has been made available as a free download for owners of Windows 7, 8 and 8.1. The company describes it as an operating system for every device, not just PCs, and will work just as well on phones and tablets.

Windows 10 first reviews: should I upgrade to the new software?

4. Is Taliban leader Mullah Omar really dead?

Afghanistan's government is investigating claims that Taliban leader Mullah Omar is dead. Sources have reported that the reclusive militant leader may have died as long as two to three years ago. Similar claims have been made before but the latest reports are being taken seriously in Afghanistan. Taliban sources have denied the reports.

5. The Ashes: England run through Australia at Edgbaston

England took the upper hand on the first day of the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston after Australian won the toss and chose to bat. Under cloudy skies Steven Finn took two early wickets to leave the tourists three down at lunch. Jimmy Anderson then ripped through the middle order in the afternoon session and finished with 6-47 as Australia were bowled out for 136.

The Ashes 2015: BT Sport wins TV rights as England celebrate

6. Eight-year-old boy given double hand transplant

An eight-year-old US boy is the youngest-ever recipient of a double hand transplant. Zion Harvey thanked his 40-person surgical team for helping him on a “bumpy road” yesterday after an 11-hour operation. He will have to take immuno-suppressant drugs for the rest of his life - but was doing so in any case after a liver transplant.

7. British Airways Heathrow jet diverted after 'suspect package'

A British Airways jet en route to Heathrow from Las Vegas has been diverted to Montreal after passengers were told there was a "suspect device" on board. The Boeing 747, carrying 312 passengers and 16 crew, touched down in Canada after a "possible bomb threat", said an airport official. Passengers said they were searched as they left the plane.

8. Corbyn gets Unison backing in Labour election

Public service union Unison will encourage its members to vote for Jeremy Corbyn in the Labour leadership contest, with Yvette Cooper their recommended second choice. The news comes after a private polling revealed that veteran left-winger Corbyn had a 17% lead over Cooper. The news is a blow for Andy Burnham, who had hoped for union backing.

Jeremy Corbyn is a 'disaster', says Stephen Hawking

9. Lion-killing dentist ‘believed hunt was legal’

An American dentist who has upset Zimbabweans by killing a lion known as Cecil says he had no idea the animal was a local favourite, tagged and part of a scientific study. Walter Palmer’s hunt guide and a local landowner could now be jailed. Palmer’s Facebook page has been overwhelmed with calls for revenge from animal lovers.

Cecil: decision to drop charges against lion killer 'disgraceful'

10. Briefing: how Gaza's tech start-ups beat the Israeli blockade

Nine years under an Israeli economic blockade, which Egypt has intermittently enforced too, makes Gaza an unlikely place to find a thriving start-up sector. Parts of the coastal enclave remain devastated after last summer's war, the worst in modern times, and the third in six years in this narrow strip. Yet a couple of blocks up from the beachfront, a new generation of entrepreneurs is working to rival the regional start-up hubs of Amman, Cairo and Beirut.

How Gaza's businesswomen are beating the Israeli blockade