Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 10 Dec 2016

1. CIA says Russia intervened to help Trump's election bid

US intelligence agencies believe Moscow acted covertly to boost Donald Trump in the election campaign, according to reports in the American media. The New York Times says the agencies had "high confidence" about Russian involvement in hacking. A CIA assessment published by the Washington Post made similar findings. However, Trump’s team said: "These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction."

2. Leading private school 'accepts cash for places'

A top private school has been exposed as willing to accept considerable donations to secure places for the children of overseas parents. David Fletcher, the registrar at Stowe until this week, was filmed saying a six-figure payment would be helpful when there was a "marginal decision" over whether a pupil should be admitted. He told an undercover Daily Telegraph reporter that one overseas family had recently given £100,000.

3. Stores attacked over £300m 'gift card rip-off'

Shops are being warned to end a £300m "gift card rip-off", says the Daily Mail. Consumers are being short-changed by the cards because some expire within just six months, while others carry hidden fees that quickly make them worthless. The government is seeking a minimum two-year expiry period and fairer terms and conditions. Industry data shows that £5.40 of every £100 put on gift cards is never spent.

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4. Councils declare war on pre-Christmas fly-tippers

Councils say they are mounting a "pre-Christmas zero-tolerance nationwide crackdown" on fly-tipping. The Local Government Association says councils’ powers include seizing and crushing illegal dumpers' vehicles. Clearing illegally-dumped waste costs local authorities almost £50m each year to clear up. A spokesman described it as "environmental vandalism - it's unpleasant, unnecessary and unacceptable".

5. Michael Gove says May was right to sack him

Michael Gove says Theresa May was right to sack him after she became Prime Minister. "If I'd been in her shoes, I would have sacked me too," the former cabinet minister told the BBC. Gove said he regretted standing for the Tory leadership, adding that he made "mistakes" in the way he withdrew his support from Boris Johnson. He still hopes to "make a contribution" to politics in the future.

6. Prince Andrew attacks press speculation over his daughters

The Duke of York says there is "no truth" in media claims of a split in the Royal Family over the future roles of Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice. In an unexpected public statement, he said he wished to stop "speculation and innuendo" relating to his daughters. The royal insisted it was "complete fabrication" to suggest he wanted titles for any future husbands of the princesses.

7. Rupert Murdoch 'agrees deal in principle' for Sky

Rupert Murdoch has made an £11.2bn offer to take full control of Sky, five years after he was forced to abandon a similar deal amid public revulsion over the phone-hacking scandal. The media mogul’s 21st Century Fox group said it had reached an agreement in principle to buy the satellite broadcaster, which would bring together the company behind Fox News with the largest pay-TV broadcaster in Britain.

8. Boris Johnson stands firm over Saudi criticism row

Boris Johnson says he will not change his ways following a meeting with Theresa May to discuss his condemnation of Saudi Arabia for fighting "proxy wars". The PM summoned the Foreign Secretary to Downing Street on Thursday after her spokeswoman issued a public rebuke for his criticism of a key ally. Johnson refused to apologise and has reportedly told friends that he believes No 10 mishandled the story.

9. Brexit will block fight against modern slavery say charities

Brexit could hamper the fight against modern slavery, making victims less likely to step forward because they fear being sent back to their home country, according to charities. Earlier this year, the Prime Minister announced a crackdown on those who profit from modern slavery, promising a £33m investment. It is estimated there are around 13,000 victims of modern slavery in the UK.

10. Mother of One Direction's Louis Tomlinson dies at 43

The mother of former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson has died aged 43 after battling leukaemia. Mother-of-seven Johannah Deakin had been cared for at University College London hospital since May before being moved to Sheffield. "It is with immeasurable sadness that Johannah Deakin's family said goodbye to Johannah in the early hours of Wednesday," the family said in a statement. He will perform on the X Factor this weekend.