Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 12 Jan 2020

1. Prince William says he and Harry are ‘separate entities’

The Queen and the Duke of Sussex are expected to hold talks at Sandringham tomorrow to discuss the future roles of Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex. Meanwhile, The Sun says Prince William has told a friend he can't “put his arm around” his brother anymore. According to reports, William feels that he and Prince Harry are now “separate entities”.

2. UK ambassador to Iran is arrested in Tehran

The UK ambassador to Iran has been arrested in Tehran in what the UK described as a “flagrant violation of international law”. Rob Macaire was arrested and held for three hours during anti-government protests in Tehran after officials admitted shooting down a passenger plane. According to reports, he was attending a vigil for those who died in the crash.

3. Minister says UK may have to fight wars without US

Britain must prepare to fight wars without the US, the defence secretary has warned. As Donald Trump appears to favour an increasingly isolationist foreign policy, Ben Wallace told The Sunday Times that issue “keeps me awake at night”. He added: “Over the last year we’ve had the US pullout from Syria and the statement by Donald Trump on Iraq where he said Nato should take over.”

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4. Keir Starmer pitches left with attack on free-market model

Keir Starmer has denounced the “free-market model” as a failure and backed higher taxes on the wealthiest to pay for better public services. The move saw the Labour leadership hopeful appealing to the party's left. However, he also called for unity and said “factionalism has to go”. He is one of six candidates running to replace Jeremy Corbyn as leader.

5. Blow to China as Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen wins second term

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has won a second term after romping to victory with just over 57% of the ballot - a record 8.2m votes. Ms Tsai vowed to maintain the island’s sovereignty in the face of China’s intensifying efforts to bring it under its control. The New York Times says her victory is a “blow to Beijing”.

6. Roger Federer responds to Thunberg criticism over sponsor

Roger Federer has responded to criticism from climate activist Greta Thunberg over his sponsorship deal with Credit Suisse, a company that has been linked with the fossil fuel industry. The tennis ace said: “I take the impacts and threat of climate change very seriously, particularly as my family and I arrive in Australia amidst devastation from the bushfires.”

7. Storm Brendan expected to bring damage and disruption

Storm Brendan is expected to hit the country next week, bringing 80mph winds, heavy rain and travel chaos. Yellow weather warnings are in place for Northern Ireland, much of the western half of the UK and the northeast of Scotland from 12pm on Monday to midnight. Travel disruption is expected.

8. Australian police appeal over abduction 50 years ago

New South Wales police are offering a reward to $1m (£528,700) for information about the toddler's abduction 50 years ago. Cheryl Grimmer went missing on 12 January 1970 during a family day out at the seaside in Australia. She was three years old. A man was set to face a murder trial last year but evidence against him was ruled inadmissible and charges were dropped.

9. Row over lack of female nominees for Brit awards

There is controversy over the 2020 Brit awards with only one British woman – and no groups featuring women –nominated across 25 slots in mixed-gender categories. Although the singer Mabel was nominated for best new artist and best song, the nine other song nominees and four other new artist nominees are British males.

10. Tory MP accused of editing his own Wikipedia page

A new pro-Brexit MP appears to have edited his own Wikipedia page to delete references to a security company he founded which benefited from £500,000 from an EU-backed fund. Stuart Anderson also allegedly removed references to him having been paid illegal dividends by another of his companies.