Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 5 Aug 2012

1. HISTORIC GOLDEN DAY FOR TEAM GB

Team GB won six gold medals yesterday in their most successful day of Olympic action since 1908. Heptathlete Jessica Ennis, long jumper Greg Rutherford and runner Mo Farah all won gold, after wins in rowing and track cycling. Sunday's highlights include Andy Murray taking on Roger Federer in the tennis final, and Usain Bolt's appearance in the 100m.

2. TORY DONORS BACK BORIS

Leading Tory donors are backing Boris Johnson as a future party leader, reports The Sunday Times. Hedge fund manager Lord Fink, who has donated £2.6m, has said he is a “Boris fan” and believes the London Mayor to be a “credible candidate” for leadership. Financier Peter Hall and entrepreneur Hugh Osmond have also backed his future leadership credentials.

3. US 'ATTACK PLAN FOR IRAN' LEAKED

Details of a planned US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities have been leaked to two Israeli newspapers. The attack would reportedly comprise of two waves: hundreds of cruise missiles would strike Iranian air defences and radar stations, before B-52s dropped GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs on the nuclear plants.

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4. THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS OVERPAID LOANS

Tens of thousands of students are believed to have overpaid their student loans after the controversial company in charge of the scheme was shown to have collected £36.5m more than it was owed in 2010/11 alone. Over 63,000 former students carried on repaying from their salaries after their debt had been repaid.

5. LIB DEM MEMBERSHIP DROPS 25%

Liberal Democrat membership has plunged by 25% according to the latest figures filed at the Electoral Commission. The figures show that the party ended 2011 with 48,932 members, down from 65,038 a year before. The news is a fresh blow to Nick Clegg, who faces further pressure this coming week as David Cameron is expected to announce he is shelving plans for House of Lord reform.

6. PM ADVISED TO DELAY AFGHAN WITHDRAWAL

Senior military figures have warned the Prime Minister that al-Qaeda could return to Afghanistan if foreign troops are withdrawn too early. British commanders believe that the Afghan National Security Forces and police are not yet ready to take control due to a high level of desertions and corruption.

7. PAKISTAN POLICE PARADE NAKED COUPLE

Several Pakistani police officers have been accused of parading a couple naked in public as punishment for trying to have sex outside of marriage. Footage recorded on mobile phones shows the naked man being struck by officers while the woman pleads for clothes. The officers have been suspended following a public outcry.

8. ALEPPO FIGHTING INTENSIFIES

Fighting is continuing in the Syrian city of Aleppo as expectation grows that the army will launch a comprehensive assault soon. A rebel commander says his men are expecting preparing to face a "strong offensive" in the northern city. Regime forces have already reportedly used artillery, planes and a helicopter gunship to strike rebel positions.

9. YEMEN BOMBER KILLS DOZENS

A suicide bomber has killed at least 30 people in an attack in the southern Yemeni province of Abyan. Dozens more were injured in the attack on the funeral of a man with links to militia groups which have helped the army fight al-Qaeda. Five suspected al-Qaeda terrorists had been killed by a US drone earlier in the day.

10. MURDOCH AND HUNT FILMED AT OLYMPICS

Footage of Rupert Murdoch greeting Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt at the Olympic Games has provoked criticism. Hunt has faced enormous scrutiny over his relationship with Murdoch and his handling of News Corp's BSkyB bid. Labour MP Jim Sheridan said the footage showed the pair are "as close as ever".