Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 4 Aug 2015

1. UK to extend air strikes on IS until 2017

The UK is to carry on air strikes on Islamic State (IS) targets in Iraq until at least 2017, defence secretary Michael Fallon has said while visiting Baghdad. However, he ruled out support to Iraqis from UK ground troops and said Iraq had not asked for any such assistance. Eight RAF Tornado bombers serve the region, based in Cyprus.

2. Ex-PM Ted Heath accused of raping boy of 12

The late Conservative PM, Ted Heath, has been accused of raping a boy of 12 in a Mayfair flat in 1961. The alleged victim, now in his 60s, says he was labelled a “liar and a fantasist” when he reported the attack later in the 1960s. The man says Heath picked him up hitchhiking on the A2 in Kent and took him to a flat in Park Lane.

Who was Edward Heath? And what was his secret?

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3. NHS told to fill only ‘essential’ vacancies

Health service regulator Monitor has told NHS trusts to fill only “essential” vacancies because of a looming funding crisis in the health service. Monitor’s chief executive, David Bennett said current plans are “quite simply unaffordable” and warned the NHS is facing an “unprecedented financial challenge” and must make bigger savings.

4. Tube strike to go ahead in London this week

Another strike will close the London Underground this week, after unions yesterday rejected an offer made on Friday. The 24-hour stoppage will start on Wednesday evening and is expected to still be affecting services on Friday morning. Drivers are unhappy with the amount of weekend and night working they will be expected to do.

Tube commuters face more delays as engineers begin industrial action

5. Last ‘Dambusters’ bomber pilot dies at 96

The last surviving bomber pilot who flew the WW2 ‘Dambusters’ raids has died. Sqd Ldr Les Munro died in hospital in his native New Zealand with heart problems yesterday. Munro flew on the famous raids, which used bouncing bombs to destroy industrially important dams in Germany, but never actually got to drop his weapon.

Last surviving Dambuster pilot Les Munro dies

6. Sports funding overhaul amid Olympic legacy fears

Sport funding in the UK is to be overhauled in an effort to stem declining participation figures amid fears that the London 2012 Olympic legacy has been lost. A nine week consultation has been launched which could divert funds away from national governing bodies and into charities that promote sport. The "current financial climate" could also have an impact on state funding of sport.

7. RBS share sell-off gets underway

The Government has begin selling off its shares in Royal Bank of Scotland, but has faced criticism for offloading them at a loss. The Treasury sold a 5.4% stake in the bank at 330p a share, 7.6p less than Monday's closing price and 170p less than the 500p-per-share it paid in 2008. The Government's stake has now fallen to 73%. The sale raised £2.1bn.

RBS smashes expectations with £940m profit

8. US airlines ban big game trophies from flights

Two US airlines - Delta and American - have banned big game trophies from their flights, saying they will no longer transport remains of lions, rhinos, leopards, elephants or buffaloes. They did not give a reason but Delta has been the subject of an online petition for a ban, after outrage over the killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe.

Cecil: decision to drop charges against lion killer 'disgraceful'

9. Cilla Black died from stroke after fall

Cilla Black died of a stroke after a fall at her villa in Spain on Saturday a coroner has confirmed. Black's three sons released the information after being given permission to return the body to the UK for her funeral. The 72-year-old was knocked unconscious by the the fall and died from a stroke. The post-mortem confirmed she would not have suffered.

Cilla Black: 5 things you didn't know about the showbiz icon

10. Briefing: Is Nigeria winning the war against Boko Haram?

Muhammadu Buhari, a former military leader, was elected Nigerian president earlier this year after criticising his predecessor Goodluck Jonathan's response to the crisis and vowing to crush the Islamist insurgency. Despite having the largest army in West Africa, Nigeria's military has struggled to push back the militants in recent years. Successful rescue missions carried out this year - including the recent rescue of 178 hostages - suggest it might be turning a corner, but the fight against extremism is far from over.

Is Muhammadu Buhari winning the war against Boko Haram?