Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 14 Dec 2014

1. ISIS: UK TROOPS TO RETURN TO IRAQ

UK troops will return to Iraq within weeks to prepare Iraqi and Kurdish troops for a spring offensive against Isis. Defence secretary Michael Fallon confirmed that the forces will be sent to four separate sites in the country. The deployment is likely to spark claims of “mission creep” more than five years after the British Army withdrew from the country.

2. AIR CHAOS: BOSSES HAD BEEN WARNED

Air traffic bosses were warned four months ago that their contingency plans for a computer failure were inadequate. The Independent On Sunday says National Air Traffic Services bosses were told their preparations for a scenario such as Friday’s “lacked detail and clarity”. Meanwhile, NATS chief executive denies the problems were caused by redundancies at the organisation’s HQ.

3. ARE TORIES TRYING TO ‘BUY’ ELECTION?

The Conservatives have been accused of “trying to buy the election” as they slipped through an unprecedented 23% hike in campaign spending. The Electoral Commission has spoken out against “excessive spending to prevent the perception of undue influence over the outcome of the election”. The Tories have amassed a £78m war chest over the past four years.

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4. TORTURE: RIFKIND REQUESTS CIA MATERIAL

Sir Malcolm Rifkind has requested that Washington hands over material relating to the UK's role in the CIA's post-9/11 interrogation programme. After a US Senate report uncovered "brutal" treatment of al-Qaeda suspects, Sir Malcolm, who is head of the House of Commons Intelligence and Security Committee, writes in the Sunday Telegraph that the record must be set straight.

5. WILL AMAZON GLITCH BANKRUPT FIRMS?

A software glitch on Amazon that caused items to be sold for 1p is costing small business tens of thousands of pounds, with some saying it could bankrupt them. The firms, who use a piece of software which automatically reprices stock so it is cheaper than rivals, are protesting. "I have lost about £20,000 overnight,” said one. “I will be bankrupt at this rate by the end of January."

6. ARMY CHIEFS PROTEST INTERROGATION RULES

British soldiers have “lost their capability” to interrogate terrorist insurgents after being banned from banging their fists on tables or walls, or using “insulting words” during questioning, military chiefs have warned. The new guidelines, which are officially called Challenge Direct, have been criticised within the ranks as making interrogation pointless.

7. UKIP MAN CAUGHT IN ANTI-GAY RANT

A Ukip candidate has been recorded making racist and homophobic comments, reports the Mail On Sunday. Kerry Smith, selected to fight Basildon South at the next general election, mocked “f**king disgusting old pooftahs” and referred to a woman with a Chinese name as a “Chinky”. He also joked about “shooting peasants”.

8. UN FINALLY REACHES CLIMATE DEAL

United Nations members have finally reached an agreement to tackle climate change after talks ran into the weekend. However, environmental campaigners criticised the deal as a weak and ineffectual compromise. The president of the meeting, in the Peruvian capital of Lima, said delegates had approved a framework for setting national pledges.

9. SICK MEL B ‘SCREAMED IN AGONY’

Mel B missed last night’s X Factor final show after being rushed to hospital “screaming in agony” with a suspected stomach ulcer. Although the Sunday Mirror says “fears are growing” over her condition, the Mail On Sunday says she is stable. Tulisa Contostavlos filled her shoes on the show which saw Andrea Faustini voted off.

10. STEVE BRUCE DAMNS DIVING CHELSEA

Hull City boss Steve Bruce has attacked Chelsea and the referee after his side’s 2-0 defeat to the Blues yesterday. Bruce said Gary Cahill dived before Hull’s Tom Huddlestone was sent off in a separate incident. Meanwhile, Arsenal made it five wins in six matches with a 4-1 victory over Newcastle United. Today, Manchester United host Liverpool in the lunchtime kick off.