Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 26 Sep 2014

1. MPS BACK AIR STRIKES ON I.S IN IRAQ

MPs have voted in favour of carrying out air strikes on Islamic State (IS) fighters in Iraq. They backed military action by 524 votes to 43 after a seven-hour debate in the Commons. RAF planes could begin attacks this weekend. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has warned that there could be a long campaign ahead.

MPs to vote on Islamic State air strikes: what are they debating?

2. FBI: WE’VE IDENTIFIED ‘JIHADI JOHN’ TERRORIST

James Comey, director of the FBI, says the US intelligence agency has identified the man dubbed ‘Jihadi John’ who appears to behead hostages in videos released by Sunni militants Islamic State (IS). He said the US would prioritise capturing the man but would not reveal his identity at this stage.

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3. MISSING ALICE: POLICE FIND ‘AREA OF INTEREST’

Police searching for missing 14-year-old Alice Gross in west London have identified an “area of interest” in a park near her home in Hanwell. The have cordoned off an area of Elthorne Park and are examining “something of interest” found there. Almost 600 officers from eight force are involved in the hunt.

4. HOME OFFICE TAKES CONTROL OF PASSPORTS

Home Secretary Teresa May has announced that the Passport Office is to be brought under Home Office control, and chief executive Paul Pugh replaced. It will lose its agency status and come under direct ministerial control. A backlog at the Passport Office affected thousands of people this summer, and 80,000 applications are still being processed.

5. UKIP CHASES OFFERS INCOME TAX CUTS

Ukip is holding its party conference this week and today unveiled plans to cut income tax from 40p in the pound to 35p, for those earning up to £55,000. Other measures include promising long-serving soldiers jobs in the police and cutting Britain's aid budget by 85%. The conference is being held just a few miles from Ed Miliband’s constituency.

Ukip, hunting blue-collar votes, takes the fight to Labour

6. EUROPE TAKE 5-3 LEAD IN RYDER CUP

Europe came from behind to end the first day of the Ryder Cup with a 5-3 lead over the USA. Europe started brightly in the four-balls but the USA rallied to take a one point advantage into the afternoon foursomes. But, on a topsy-turvey day, Paul McGinley's side won 3½ points out of four to reclaim the lead.

Ryder Cup 2014: how the teams line up, player by player

7. KIM JONG-UN HAS MEDICAL CONDITION

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who has not been seen in public since the start of September, has a medical condition and is in an "uncomfortable physical condition" according to state media. The announcement came after he failed to attend a meeting of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly. It has been claimed that Kim suffers from gout.

Kim Jong Nam death: murder trial begins in Malaysia

8. SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR DAVE LEE TRAVIS

Former Radio 1 DJ Fave Lee Travis has escaped jail after being given a three-month suspended sentence for indecently assaulting a TV researcher in 1995. Judge Anthony Leonard said Travis was guilty of "an intentional and unpleasant sexual assault" but the prosecution had not shown he had "a propensity to commit indecent assaults".

Dave Lee Travis: suspended sentence for indecent assault

9. RESEARCHER FINDS ORIGIN OF TIPPING

A British Library researcher has discovered what she believes is the first time it was suggested that a service charge should be added to a bill. An irate traveller wrote a letter complaining about being badgered for tips by staff at an inn and suggested guests should pay one tip to the landlord instead.

10. HOT TICKET: MAPS TO THE STARS

David Cronenberg's satirical drama Maps to the Stars opens in UK cinemas today. Mia Wasikowska stars as a disturbed young woman working as a PA to an ageing Hollywood diva while trying to reconnect with her celebrity obsessed family. "Luridly enjoyable," says The Independent.

Maps to the Stars – reviews of 'nightmarish' Hollywood satire