Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 6 Jul 2016

1. Chilcot inquiry: Iraq invasion was not 'last resort'

After seven years, Sir John Chilcot has finally released his report into the origins, conduct and aftermath of the Iraq war, concluding that Britain chose to join the US invasion before "peaceful options for disarmament" had been exhausted. There was "no imminent threat from Saddam Hussein" in March 2003 and military action was "not a last resort", he said.

Chilcot: Tony Blair 'not straight' with nation over Iraq

2. Baghdad bombing death toll rises to 250

At least 250 people are now known to have died in a car bombing in Baghdad on Sunday, making it the most deadly attack in Iraq in the 13 years since the US-led coalition toppled Saddam Hussein. Islamic State has claimed responsibility. The death toll is rising as the authorities uncover badly burnt bodies of victims.

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Baghdad bombings: Islamic State escalates terror campaign

3. Pound drops to new low in Asia trading

Sterling fell to a 31-year low against the dollar in Asia trading this morning as investors acted on fears about the impact of the UK's imminent withdrawal from the EU. The pound was worth $1.2798 at its lowest. US government bonds also hit new lows as buyers rushed to safe havens. Both falls come after UK property funds were frozen.

The Business: UK betting income rockets as terminals grow

4. Tory leadership: May wins first round

The field of candidates for the Conservative leadership has been reduced to three following the first round of voting by MPs. Theresa May received the support of 165 politicians, Andrea Leadsom 66, Michael Gove 48, Stephen Crabb 34 and Liam Fox 16. Fox was automatically dropped and Stephen Crabb withdrew to make the race shorter. Both endorsed May instead, adding to her lead.

Theresa May rejects calls to increase Indian visa quota

5. Protests in Louisiana after police kill black man

Protests have taken place in the US state of Louisiana after a black man was killed by police responding to reports of a man threatening people with a gun outside a shop. Video seemed to show two officers holding Alton Sterling down and shooting him dead. A post-mortem showed he died of gunshots to the chest and back.

6. Patient 'lay dead for four hours' in A&E

A patient lay dead in one of the UK's busiest A&E departments for as long as four and a half hours before staff noticed, say inspectors. Rating North Middlesex University Hospital's emergency services as inadequate, the officials also say there are too few competent doctors at night. The hospital said it was "extremely sorry" for the problems.

7. Pistorius sentenced to six years in prison

Oscar Pistorius has been sent to prison for six years for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013. The 29-year-old former Olympic and Paralympic athlete, who received a more lenient sentence than expected, says he will not appeal.

Oscar Pistorius out of legal options as request to appeal rejected

8. Body parts wash up on beach in Fiji

A severed head and two pairs of feet have washed up on Natadola, in Fiji, one of the world's most celebrated beaches. The remains belong to missing Russian couple Yuriy Shipulin and Nataliya Gerasimova, who had retired to the island paradise. Shipulin is though to have been owed $200,000 (£155,000) by former business partners.

9. Tube passengers evacuated into tunnel

As many as 1,000 passengers were evacuated from a train and made to walk through London Underground tunnels yesterday after a mechanical failure. They walked for five minutes when a train got stuck outside Shepherd's Bush station at around 6pm. Services on the Central Line service between Marble Arch and White City were still suspended this morning.

10. Prostitution: The pros and cons of decriminalisation

Politicians have called for reforms to the prostitution laws in England and Wales to give greater protection to sex workers and bring legislation in line with reforms in other countries. In an interim report, presented last week, the home affairs select committee of MPs said the Home Office should immediately introduce legislation to allow for solicitation by sex workers and to change brothel-keeping laws to allow workers to share premises.

The pros and cons of decriminalising prostitution