Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 14 Jun 2014

1. IRAQ CRISIS: SAS COULD BE SENT IN

The SAS may be sent to Iraq as the US and UK consider options to deal with ISIS insurgents. President Barack Obama says he will “review options” over the weekend, while William Hague says Britain is considering offering “counter-terrorism expertise”. The governor of Mosul says he would welcome Western support in dealing with Islamist militants from Iraq.

Iraq picks Fouad Massoum as president in bid to unite nation

2. CRISIS IN BRITAIN’S BURSTING JAILS

The Ministry of Justice is desperately trying to recruit more prison officers as dozens of prisons reach bursting point, says The Times. As fears grow of disturbances across Britain’s jails this summer, former staff who took voluntary redundancy are being asked to return to work as part of emergency measures to address the overcrowding crisis.

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3. POPE ENTERS SCOTLAND DEBATE

The Pope has entered the debate over Scottish independence saying: “All division worries me.” He said that each case for independence should he studied individually, and added: “There will be cases that are just and others that are unjust, but the secession of a nation without a history of forced unity has to be handled with tweezers and analysed case by case."

Scottish independence: Is IndyRef2 'dead' after election losses?

4. LATE CANCER TEEN AWARDED MBE

The teenager who drew attention to cancer before succumbing to the disease last month has become an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Stephen Sutton, whose battle with cancer became widely shared on social media, accepted the honour for services to the charity shortly before his death. Among others to receive honours are Daniel Day-Lewis and Angelina Jolie.

Late cancer teen Stephen given MBE

5. GERRARD: THERE CAN BE NO EXCUSES

Steven Gerrard says there can be no excuses for World Cup failure as England prepare for their first match of the tournament. “It’s time to walk the walk,” said the captain. Roy Hodgson’s men will face Italy this evening. The match-day temperature is expected to exceed 30C in the stadium.

World Cup dark horses: how long will England last in Brazil?

6. DELAYS PUTTING CANCER LIVES AT RISK

Cancer experts are warning that victims’ chances of survival are being put at risk by growing delays in carrying out vital tests on them on the NHS. New official figures from NHS performance data show that the number of people waiting more than six weeks for a CT or MRI scan has doubled in a year and reached its highest level since 2008.

7. ‘VILE’ 94-YEAR-OLD CHILD ABUSER JAILED

A 94-year-old child abuser has become the oldest sex offender to be jailed in the UK. The judge told Frederick Smith, who abused a girl over the course of a decade: “As frail as you are, bent over your Zimmer frame, justice cries out that you are jailed.” Smith, who was described as “vile” by the judge, admitted four offences of indecent assault between 1972-1982.

8. CORRUPTION PROBE: FIFA BANS BECKENBAUER

Fifa has provisionally banned Franz Beckenbauer from all footballing activities for "failing to co-operate" with its inquiry into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process. Former West Germany captain Beckenbauer, 68, was part of the Fifa executive committee that voted to give the tournament to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.

9. TELETUBBIES ARE COMING BACK

Love them or hate them – they’re on the way back. The Teletubbies are to return to our television screens more than a decade after the series ended. The show, aimed at pre-school viewers, will return for a further 60 episodes on the BBC digital channel CBeebies. Producers have said the new version will be”‘visually enhanced” with a “contemporary look”.

10. DUTCH DESTROY SORRY SPAIN

Netherlands gave the World Cup its first shock when they came from behind to destroy the reigning champions Spain. On a night of drama in the Arena Fonte Nova, the Spanish went 1-0 up with a Xabi Alonso penalty. However, a brace of goals apiece from Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben eased the Dutch to a proud victory. Earlier, Mexico had beaten Cameroon 1-0.