Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 3 Dec 2014

1. IRAN BOMBS ISLAMIC STATE TARGETS IN IRAQ

The Pentagon says Iranian jets have been bombing targets in eastern Iraq in the last few days - but not in co-ordination with the US, which has been carrying out air strikes there and in Syria. A spokesman for Iran’s military also denied collaboration with the US, saying it has no place in Iraq’s future.

Iran bombs Islamic State in Iraq and blames US for unrest

2. AUTUMN STATEMENT: STAMP DUTY REFORMS

Chancellor George Osborne has delivered the coalition's Autumn Statement, revealing a major shake-up in the stamp duty system. He also unveiled other measures including a 25% "diverted profits" tax for multinationals and a new charge for non-domiciles who spend most of their time in Britain.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Autumn Statement: plans to cut spending 'to 1930s levels'

3. ISRAEL GENERAL ELECTION COMES EARLY

Israel will hold a general election on 17 March after the Knesset voted to dissolve parliament. The move comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked two senior coalition partners in his cabinet, centrist leaders Yair Lapid and Tzipi Livni, claiming they were plotting against him.

Israeli cabinet collapse triggers early election

4. OBAMA CALLS FOR $6BN TO FIGHT EBOLA

Barack Obama has asked Congress to give him $6bn (£3.8bn) to fight the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, saying efforts to contain the epidemic were “beginning to show results”. But he warned: “The fight is not even close to being over.” The WHO says 6,055 people have died in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Ebola: what are the symptoms and is there a cure?

5. THIS MAY BE HOTTEST YEAR ON RECORD

Meteorologists are predicting that 2014 could be the hottest year in the UK since records began in 1772. Every month so far this year except August has been above the long term average, making the 11 months so far the hottest in 250 years. They say man-made climate change is at least partly to blame.

6. COSBY SUED FOR ‘SEX ACT’ AT PLAYBOY HOUSE

TV comedian Bill Cosby is being sued by a woman who claims he molested her when she was 15 in 1974. Judith Huth claims Cosby gave her drinks and took her to Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansion with a friend. She alleges he forced her to perform a sex act there. She says she has suffered emotional distress.

Bill Cosby rape allegations: downfall of an American hero

7. AUSTRALIA: FUNERAL FOR BATSMAN HUGHES

A funeral service has taken place for the Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who was killed last week at the age of 25 when a bouncer struck the back of his head during a match. Almost 1,000 people filled his former school to hear tributes from family and an emotional farewell from Australia captain Michael Clarke.

Michael Clarke leads tributes to Phillip Hughes at funeral

8. RIGBY KILLERS LOSE LEGAL CHALLENGES

The killers of soldier Lee Rigby have failed to have their sentences reduced. Michael Adebolajo, who challenged his conviction and whole life sentence, had his case thrown out by judges at the Court of Appeal and Michael Adebowale failed in an attempt to have his minimum term of 45 years reduced.

9. TRACEY EMIN’S BRIT AWARD REDESIGN

A new version of the Brit Awards for music statuette has been unveiled, re-worked by former Young British Artist, Tracey Emin. Emin’s design features a patchwork rosette and a hand-written message congratulating the winners on their talent. Emin said the statuette design was “really Tracey-ish”.

10. HOT TICKET: POST POP ART AT SAATCHI

A new contemporary art show, Post Pop: East Meets West, has opened at the Saatchi Gallery, London. The exhibition explores the legacy of Pop Art in the West, Russia and China, including work by Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman and Ai Weiwei. "Bonkers," says the Daily Telegraph. Until 23 February.

Post Pop: East Meets West - reviews of 'bonkers' art show