Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 11 Dec 2015

1. Jeremy Corbyn 'helped IS fraudster'

Jeremy Corbyn intervened to secure bail for a con artist accused of stealing money from pensioners in order to raise funds for Islamic State, claims the Daily Telegraph. Back in May, Corbyn wrote a letter to magistrates in a bid to help Mohamed Dahir secure bail. The court had heard that Dahir’s gang were using the money as a "bank of terror" to help UK citizens fight with IS.

2. Sports Direct faces criticism and £400m loss

More than £400m was wiped off the value of Sports Direct as investors and lawmakers turned on the company following disappointing financial results and headline-grabbing revelations over pay and working conditions. The retailer was branded a "scar on British business" by the Institute of Directors. Opposition MPs demanded that the FTSE 100 company be investigated by HMRC.

3. Clinton: Trump isn't funny anymore

Hillary Clinton has condemned Donald Trump, calling him shameful, dangerous and declaring: "I no longer think he's funny." Muhammad Ali says that Muslims "have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda". Meanwhile, Trump says that UK politicians who have attacked his remarks "should be thanking me instead of pandering to political correctness".

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4. David Cameron 'gutless' over Heathrow delay

Business groups have accused David Cameron of cowardice after the government delayed its decision on whether to build a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport. The British Chambers of Commerce said the delay was "gutless", while another group said it would have business leaders "tearing their hair out". They argue that the postponement is bad for the UK economy.

5. Met launches huge gun and knife crackdown

Scotland Yard has launched one of its biggest ever operations against gun and knife crime in the capital. Officers are responding to an escalation in stabbings and firearms offences with joint operations involving hundreds of specialist officers, including firearms teams. Since the beginning of the year, 15 teenagers have been stabbed to death in London.

6. Care home 'buy to let' scandal exposed

Private investors are being seduced into purchasing rooms in UK care homes on a ‘buy-to-let’ basis with the promise of vast profits and rental income, The Independent has revealed. Hundreds of rooms are being offered for sale for as much as £85,000 each. They offer “guaranteed” rental income of around 10% annually and a total return on investment of up to 188% over 10 years.

7. Court rules to allow interracial adoption

Prospective parents should not be barred from adopting children who have a different ethnic background, senior judges have ruled. The development allows two black youngsters to be placed permanently with a white couple. The court dismissed arguments from the boys’ natural parents that the white couple would not be able to prepare the kids to tackle racism.

8. Ex Rangers footballer is shot dead

Former Rangers footballer Arnold Peralta has been shot dead while on holiday in his hometown. The Honduran international footballer was killed in the car park of a shopping centre in La Ceiba, on the country's Caribbean coast. The motive for the attack is unclear. The 26-year-old midfielder played for the Glasgow giant Rangers until January.

9. Obesity 'most significant threat' to women's health

Obesity is the most significant threat to women's health and to the health of future generations, England's chief medical officer is warning. Dame Sally Davies said dealing with obesity should be a national priority and that women should be encouraged to lead healthier lifestyles. Dame Sally said obesity is particularly serious for women because too often it shortened their lives.

Why is the UK so fat?

10. Taylor Swift moves to trademark Swiftmas

Taylor Swift wants to trademark the word describing her random acts of kindness for fans – “Swiftmas”. The country-pop sensation also wants to trademark the date “1989” – the title of her latest album. These moves add to a raft of applications submitted by the singer’s management earlier this year for lyrics including “this sick beat” and “Nice to meet you, where you been?”