Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 14 Dec 2016

1. Evacuation of rebels from Aleppo delayed

A planned evacuation of rebel fighters and civilians from eastern Aleppo has been delayed after fighting resumed, with reports of air strikes over rebel-held territory. The breakdown of the ceasefire, brokered by Russia and Turkey on Tuesday, has been attributed to demands from the Syrian government, which wants to evacuate injured fighters and civilians from nearby towns encircled by opposition forces.

Syria 'planning a new chemical attack', US claims

2. Talks begin on second day of Southern rail strike

Strike action has left thousands of passengers stranded as the Southern rail networkwas shut down for a second day. Talks were held between the rail firm and the drivers' union Aslef at the conciliation service, Acas, but later adjourned. The RMT union claimed it had been barred from the talks. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the government should stop "playing party politics" and "get a grip".

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Tube commuters face more delays as engineers begin industrial action

3. No Brexit plan before February next year

The government will not publish its Brexit plan before February next year as there is lots of research and policy work to be done before it is ready. But Brexit Secretary David Davis told MPs Britain should be able to negotiate its departure from the EU and thrash out a new trade deal within 18 months of triggering article 50.

Brexit: Theresa May says ‘trust me’ to deliver

4. Yemen's rebel leader accuses UK of war crimes

The new Prime Minister of the controversial Houthi government in Yemen, created after rebels pushed the country's leaders into exile, has accused the UK of war crimes by selling bombs used in the conflict to Saudi Arabia. Abdulaziz bin Habtour says the UK government only cared about profits. The US has said it will limit arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

5. GM delivers first Chevrolet Bolt electric cars to customers

US car manufacturer General Motors says it has delivered the first of its Chevrolet Bolt electric cars to customers in Fremont, California, where rival Tesla has its assembly plant. GM claims to have beaten its rival in the race to produce an electric car that can do more than 200 miles on a single charge and costs less than $40,000 (£31,500).

6. British Airways cabin crew vote to strike

British Airways cabin crew have voted to strike in a dispute over pay, the Unite union said. The ballot came after workers rejected a 2% pay rise. Dates for the strike action have not been agreed, but staff could walk out from 21 December. BA has accused the union of creating uncertainty for its customers at Christmas.

7. British man jailed for attempt to shoot Trump

A British man has been jailed for one year in Las Vegas after trying to take a gun from a policeman to kill Donald Trump during his campaign to be Republican presidential candidate. Michael Sandford, of Surrey, who suffers from autism, pleaded guilty in September to firearms and immigration charges.

Trump travel ban: Judge expands definition of relatives

8. Government 'must get ready for 5G'

The UK government must take action to prepare the infrastructure needed for 5G, the next generation of mobile phone data technology, a panel of experts has said. The National Infrastructure Commission said the roll-out of 4G was not well-handled and called for fewer "black spots" in coverage this time around. Lord Adonis said 4G coverage was ""frankly appalling".

UK 'languishing in 4G digital slow lane'

9. Football coach Barry Bennell remanded in custody

Former Crewe Alexandra coach Barry Bennell has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with child sex offences. The 62-year-old appeared by video link at South Cheshire magistrates where faced eight counts including gross indecency and indecent aaasult. All of the alleged offences relate to the same victim, who was under 15, between 1981 and 1985.

10. Briefing: Will the Sky takeover bid be blocked by Ofcom?

MPs from both sides of the House of Commons are urging the government to refer 21st Century Fox's proposed £18.5bn takeover of Sky to broadcasting regulator Ofcom. Fox, the TV and film conglomerate owned by Rupert Murdoch, already controls a 39 per cent stake in the broadcaster. It is run by his son James, who has been chairman of Sky since January.

Murdoch's Sky deal faces hurdles but share price rises