Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 18 Aug 2014

1. SICK JULIAN ASSANGE ‘WILL SURRENDER’

Sky News has claimed that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is on the point of giving himself up to UK police after two years holed up inside the tiny Ecuadorian embassy in Knightsbridge, London. Assange is said to have a chronic lung complaint, heart condition and bad eyesight after his time indoors.

Will Julian Assange be forced to leave Ecuador’s London embassy?

2. UK’S IRAQ MISSION ‘COULD LAST MONTHS’

Defence minister Michael Fallon told UK service personnel yesterday that British troops could stay in Iraq for “weeks and months” to fight “a very extreme form of terrorism”, speaking after the PM admitted UK troops are back on the ground in the country for more than just humanitarian assistance.

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Islamic State: RAF jets carry out first air strikes in Iraq

3. CLIFF RICHARD BBC SEARCH LEAK PROBED

The "sequence of events" that led to the BBC finding out about a police search of Cliff Richard's home before it happened is being investigated. South Yorkshire police has been criticised for agreeing to disclose the date of its raid in return for the broadcaster withholding details that might have derailed the investigation.

Cliff Richard: renewed questions about media and the police

4. CAMERON LAUNCHES 'FAMILY TEST'

David Cameron has announced a "family test" for new legislation. Announcing the new plans he said: "Every single domestic policy that government comes up with will be examined for its impact on the family." Online music videos are to be given age ratings, and more money would be put towards relationship counselling services.

Government policies will be put to the 'family test'

5. MICHAEL BROWN ‘WAS SHOT SIX TIMES’

A preliminary autopsy on the black teenager whose killing by police in Missouri has sparked days of protests and riots has found he was shot at least six times. Michael Brown, who was 18, was unarmed. Police last night used smoke bombs on around 400 protesters, including children, in Ferguson.

Ferguson: state of emergency declared as protests continue

6. ENGLAND WOMEN WIN RUGBY WORLD CUP

England yesterday ended a run of three World Cup final defeats, beating Canada 21-9 to win the Women’s Rugby World Cup. It is only the second time England have won the cup, the first being twenty years ago in 1994. Emily Scarratt secured the win with a try within the final 10 minutes of the game.

7. UKRAINE REFUGEES KILLED IN ROCKET ATTACK

Ukrainian refugees fleeing fighting in the city of Luhansk have been killed after coming under rocket and mortar attack. Kiev has blamed pro-Russian rebels for the attack, but they have denied the claim. Meanwhile Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says objections to a Russian aid convoy have been dropped, and the lorries can enter Ukraine.

Ukraine: refugees 'burnt alive' in rocket fire strike on convoy

8. DOWNTON BACKS WATER AID AFTER GAFFE

The cast of period TV drama Downton Abbey have posed for a photo supporting the charity WaterAid, each clutching a plastic bottle, after a publicity photo showing two of the cast in costume made headlines because a plastic water bottle had been left accidentally on a mantelpiece behind the show’s stars.

Downton Abbey's bottle and five other on-screen bloopers

9. SAUDI MOTORCADE HIJACKED IN PARIS

An armed gang stole £200,000 after hijacking cars belonging to a Saudi Arabian prince in Paris. The daring attack happened as the convoy headed towards Le Bourget airport on Sunday evening. The men, armed with Kalashnikovs, stopped the cars and seized a vehicle carrying money and documents, they later freed the driver and passengers.

10. HOT TICKET: EVERY BRILLIANT THING

Every Brilliant Thing has opened at Summerhall at the Edinburgh Fringe. Performed as a one-man show by actor-comedian Jonny Donahoe, the play is about a list of "brilliant" things designed to cheer up the character's depressive mother. "One of the funniest plays you'll ever see, full stop," says The Guardian. Until 22 August.

Every Brilliant Thing wows Edinburgh Fringe