Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 11 Sep 2014

1. OBAMA: WE'LL BOMB ISLAMIC STATE...

Outlining his strategy to defeat the Sunni militants calling themselves Islamic State (IS), Barack Obama has said he would not hesitate to carry out air strikes in Syria as well as Iraq, where 150 have already been launched. The US president said 475 military personnel would be sent to Iraq, but not to fight.

US vows to 'take out' Islamic State wherever it exists

2. SCOTS INDEPENDENCE: RBS WILL QUIT COUNTRY

Royal Bank of Scotland has confirmed that it will relocate its main office to London if Scots voters chose independence in next week’s referendum. The bank said it would keep a “significant level” of jobs in Scotland, however. Lloyds says it will shift business from Scotland but there will be no immediate changes.

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Scottish independence: UK party leaders pledge new powers

3. OSCAR PISTORIUS NOT GUILTY OF MURDER

Judge Thokosile Masipa has found Oscar Pistorius not guilty of murder, although he could still be convicted of culpable homicide after shooting dead his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. After ruling out murder the only two remaining outcomes for the Paralympian are a verdict culpable homicide or acquittal. The final decision will come tomorrow.

Oscar Pistorius out of legal options as request to appeal rejected

4. GATES FOUNDATION GIVES $50M TO EBOLA AID

The charitable foundation of Microsoft founder Bill Gates is to donate $50m to help the emergency response to the Ebola outbreak raging in west Africa. The donation will top up funds already donated by the UN, EU, UK and US. The money will be given to the UN and other aid agencies to spend.

Ebola: US suit stockpile causes shortage in Africa

5. OZONE LAYER ON ROAD TO RECOVERY

A UN report has found that the ozone layer is on track to recovery almost 30 years after the Montreal Protocol, which phased out chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone depleting substances. Two million cases of skin cancer and damage to wildlife have been averted. But scientists have warned that global warming is still a threat.

Ozone layer has begun to recover, say UN scientists

6. ... BUT RUSSIA ISSUES SYRIA WARNING

Russia has warned the US that air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria would be a "gross violation" of international law. Responding to President Obama's warning over IS, the Russian foreign ministry said action in Syria without UN or Syrian government support would be an "act of aggression". Russia backs Syria's embattled president Bashar al-Assad.

7. ‘JAWS’ BOND ACTOR KIEL DIES AT 74

Actor Richard Kiel, best known for playing metal-toothed villain Jaws in two James Bond films, has died in California at the age of 74. The Detroit-born star, who was 7ft 2in tall, also appeared in the sports comedy Happy Gilmore with Adam Sandler in 1996. Kiel’s cause of death has not been revealed.

Richard Kiel: five unusual facts about the late Bond villain

8. DAMON ALBARN ON MERCURY PRIZE LIST

Blur singer Damon Albarn is one of the bookies’ favourites to win the Mercury music prize, nominated for his solo album Everyday Robots, thirteen years after he snubbed the prize by rejecting a nomination for an album he made as Gorillaz. Other nominees include Kate Tempest, FKA Twigs and Jungle.

Mercury Prize 2014: mixed reaction to 'obscure' shortlist

9. GEORGE CLOONEY TO APPEAR IN DOWNTON

Hollywood idol George Clooney has filmed a cameo role in period drama Downton Abbey, ITV has confirmed, playing an American guest at a wedding in a short special episode for a charity appeal. Rumours Clooney was considering getting married at Highclere Castle were a smokescreen to keep filming secret.

10. HOT TICKET: BARKER'S STAGE REGENERATION

A new stage adaptation of Pat Barker's WWI novel Regeneration has opened at the Royal and Derngate, Northampton. In a Scottish hospital, WWI soldiers including poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon are treated for shell shock. "Superb," says The Independent. Until 20 September, then touring UK.

Regeneration – reviews of 'superb' Pat Barker adaptation