Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 18 Dec 2011

1. VACLAV HAVEL DIES AT 75

Former Czech president Vaclav Havel has died in his sleep at the age of 75 after a prolonged period of ill-health. Havel was a successful playwright who became an outspoken critic of the communist state and then became its first post-regime president, overseeing the split into Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

2. LAST US TROOPS LEAVE IRAQ

The final convoy of US troops has left Iraq, nearly nine years after the start of the campaign that overthrew Saddam Hussein. As the final column of armoured vehicles crossed the border into Kuwait, a gate was closed behind them. Troops cheered and hugged one another.

3. HUNDREDS DIE IN PHILIPPINES

More than 500 people are believed to have died and around 100,000 left homeless after flooding caused by the tropical storm Washi in the southern Philippines. The Philippine National Red Cross puts the current death toll at 521 with about 370 people reported missing in the region.

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4. CLEGG HITS AT TAX BREAKS FOR COUPLES

Nick Clegg will attack Coalition plans to introduce tax breaks for married couples, describing them as a “1950s model” of family life in “aspic”. Clegg's speech, which he will deliver to the Demos think-tank today, comes seven days after he criticised David Cameron's handling of the euro crisis.

5. HARRY JUDD WINS STRICTLY

McFly drummer Harry Judd has been crowned the winner of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. Judd - who scored a maximum 40 points - beat Waterloo Road actress Chelsee Healey to lift the trophy at Blackpool's Tower Ballroom. Singer Jason Donovan had finished third earlier in the evening.

6. LAX SECURITY REVEALED AT MANNING HEARING

The unit in which WikiLeaks defendant Bradley Manning served in Iraq prior to his arrest had a surprisingly poor level of security, his pre-trial hearing has been told. The hearing was also told Manning had shown signs of gender identity disorder, creating an alter ego named Breanna Manning.

7. 'NAZI PHOTO' MP SACKED

Conservative MP Aidan Burley has been sacked as a parliamentary private secretary after photographs were published of him alongside a man dressed as a Nazi SS officer at a stag party in France. A party spokesman said: "Aidan Burley has behaved in a manner which is offensive and foolish."

8. FCO PLANS EX-PAT RESCUE

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has drawn-up plans to evacuate thousands of British ex-parts from Spain and Portugal if those countries' banking systems collapse. Sources told The Sunday Times they are preparing for a “nightmare scenario” in which Brits would be left unable to access their savings.

If Spain's banks collapse, UK may send in Navy to save ex-pats

9. MANDELSON COURTED MUBARAK

Lord Mandelson lobbied for business from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak days before he was overthrown, says The Daily Telegraph. Mandelson was seeking lucrative work for his "strategic advisory" firm Global Counsel. The disclosure follows controversy over Tony Blair's links with Colonel Gadaffi.

10. KEANE'S LEGAL WARNING FROM UNITED

Roy Keane has been the subject of a legal threat from Manchester United. The former United captain received a legal letter from Old Trafford over remarks he made about his exit from the club. The episode made him decide to snub the recent banquet celebrating Sir Alex Ferguson's reign.