Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 16 Sep 2014

1. SCOTS INDEPENDENCE: POWERS PLEDGE

The leaders of the UK’s three main political parties have signed a pledge promising “extensive new powers” for the Scottish parliament if Scots reject independence in Thursday’s referendum. They are also promising that the final say on NHS funding will rest with the Scottish government.

2. US AIR STRIKES HIT MILITANTS IN IRAQ

The US has carried out its first air strikes in Iraq since Barack Obama outlined his country’s expanded strategy against the Sunni militants calling themselves IS (Islamic State) in Iraq and Syria. Meanwhile, Iraq has said Iran should have been invited to an international summit on the group held in Paris,

3. DARLING SLAMS BULLYING ‘YES’ PROTEST

Alistair Darling has said the atmosphere in the Scottish independence referendum campaign has “soured” and become “depressing” after a “deeply sinister” protest against journalist Nick Robinson who the Yes campaign accused of bias. He said people should not feel bullied into voting ‘Yes’.

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4. UK BACKPACKERS MURDERED IN THAILAND

Police in Thailand say they are focussing the hunt for the killer of two young British tourists on the Burmese immigrant community. The bodies of David Miller, 24, from Jersey, and 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge from Norfolk,were found on a beach on the island of Koh Tao on Monday with horrific injuries.

5. TEENAGE CANCER TRUST PLANS REVEALED

The charity Teenage Cancer Trust has outlined how it plans to spend almost £5m raised for it by the teenage cancer sufferer Stephen Sutton, who died in May at the age of 19 after becoming a celebrity through his blog and fundraising. It said £2.9m would be invested in specialist cancer units for young people.

6. EIGHT ‘SLAVES’ FREED FROM BEDS FARM

A police raid on a farm near Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, uncovered eight men and boys living in “virtual slavery” in cramped and filthy conditions. Some of the victims, who were in poor physical health, are thought to have been kept at the farm for “many years” while others had only recently arrived.

7. PM: NO ENGLISH PARLIAMENT YET

David Cameron has said the government is not even “remotely” near creating an English parliament, for which some Tory MPs have been calling. Speaking to Newsnight last night, the PM said, in the wake of the Scottish independence referendum, the West Lothian question would be “more pressing”.

8. APPLE RELEASES U2 ALBUM REMOVAL TOOL

Tech giant Apple has released a special software tool with which iTunes users can remove a free U2 album, in the wake of an embarrassing backlash. Some iTunes customers were angry that a copy of the Irish group’s new album was automatically added to their music libraries without their say-so.

9. GOLDFISH RECOVERS FROM BRAIN SURGERY

A pet goldfish in Australia is “up and about and swimming around” after “fiddly” brain surgery, vets say. George, whose owner lives in Melbourne, had a large tumour on his brain which was affecting his quality of life. The operation cost £125 - and vets expect the 10-year-old could now live for another 20 years.

10. HOT TICKET: ANNA NICOLE OPERA REVIVED

The Royal Opera House revival of Anna Nicole has opened at Covent Garden. Mark-Anthony Turnage’s opera, starring Eva-Maria Westbroek, recounts the life and tragic death of Texan Playboy model and TV celebrity Anna Nicole Smith. "Flamboyant and brilliant," says The Times. Until 24 September.