Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 23 Feb 2020

1. Bernie Sanders cements front-runner status in Nevada

Bernie Sanders has strengthened his position as the Democratic front-runner to take on Donald Trump in November's US presidential election as he is projected to win Nevada's caucuses. CNN says the latest win “amplifies his argument that he can broaden his appeal across the Democratic electorate”. On stage in San Antonio, Sanders introduced his wife Jane as the next first lady of the United States.

2. Macron unsure that UK can agree trade deal with EU in time

Emmanuel Macron has said he is “not sure” a UK-EU trade deal will be agreed by 31 December, the end of the Brexit transition period. The French President said negotiations, which start next month, will be “tense”. The UK government is expected to publish its mandate for the trade deal later this week. As a trade deal is negotiated, the UK is following the majority of the EU’s rules.

3. House of Lords costs soaring according to study

Peers paid themselves almost one-third more last year, reports The Sunday Times. The cost of peers’ expenses and daily attendance allowance rose by 29% in the year to last March to £23m. The average tax-free payment was £30,827, higher than the average salary of a UK worker, while 31 lords claimed more in expenses than the standard take-home pay of an MP

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4. More downpours to bring fresh misery to flood-hit towns

Flood-hit communities in the south of Wales face more misery as more heavy rain sweeps in from the southwest and across the UK, and a new low pressure system threatens further downpours next week. On Saturday evening, nine flood warnings remained in force across Wales – mainly on the River Severn and River Dee – with 10 flood alerts. In England, 75 flood warnings and 156 flood alerts remained in place.

5. Cambridge apologises after black student is grabbed

A black student who was “grabbed” by a University of Cambridge porter as he tried to enter a college for a meeting with a professor says the incident is a case of “implicit bias”. Collin Edouard, a master’s student at the university, said he was “shocked” after an employee prevented him walking into St Catharine’s College this week. Professor Sir Mark Welland, master of St Catharine’s College, has apologised.

6. Two young climbers die on Slovakian mountain

Two young climbers have fallen to their deaths in Slovakia’s High Tatra mountains amid high winds and heavy snow, say rescuers. Slovakia’s mountain rescue service said its team “found two bodies of Polish climbers (aged 27 and 25 years)”, on Saturday afternoon near the 2,558 metre-high Kežmarský peak.

7. Man charged over death during police pursuit

A man has been charged over the death of a female pedestrian who was hit by a car during a police pursuit in south London. Anisha Vidal-Garner died at the scene after being struck on a pavement in Brixton Hill as the car fled police on Wednesday. Quincy Anyiam, 26, from Surrey, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and other offences.

8. Harry and Meghan make ‘extraordinary’ statement

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are back in the headlines after posting a statement on their website claiming that the Queen does not own the word royal across the world after they were forced to drop their ‘Sussex Royal’ brand. The Mail on Sunday says the “extraordinary” statement “struck a more hostile tone in some sections”.

9. Tyson Fury wins heavyweight showdown in Vegas

Tyson Fury has beaten US fighter Deontay Wilder in their WBC heavyweight showdown in Las Vegas. The British boxer dominated throughout the rematch at the MGM Grand arena, with Wilder's corner throwing in the towel in the seventh round. “I hit him with a clean right hand and he got back up and battled on into round seven,” said Fury after the bout.

10. Prince Andrew alibi in doubt after former protection officer speaks

A former Royal protection officer has questioned Prince Andrew's alibi for the night he is accused of having sex with teenage trafficking victim Virginia Roberts. Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, the officer says he believes the Prince may have returned to Buckingham Palace in the early hours of March 11, 2001, which contradicts his claim he was “at home” all evening after taking his daughter to Pizza Express in Woking.