Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 12 Mar 2017

1. GCHQ calls for emergency talks on Russian hacking

GCHQ spies have called a crisis meeting with Britain’s political parties after warning them that they are at risk of Russian cyber-attacks at the next general election. Spy chiefs view the issue as "priority work", sources told The Sunday Times. They believe that Kremlin-backed hackers could leak internal emails to damage the reputations of political parties with the public.

2. Federal judge blocks Trump's second travel ban

A federal judge has dealt Donald Trump’s new travel ban its first legal setback by blocking its enforcement against a family trying to flee the Syrian conflict. A Syrian Muslim, who has already escaped to the US and is seeking asylum for his wife and daughter who remain in the war-torn country, filed a lawsuit against Trump’s ban. The judge issued a temporary restraining order barring enforcement against the family.

3. Davis urges MPs to reject Brexit bill changes

Brexit secretary David Davis has urged MPs to leave the bill for exiting the EU unchanged when they debate it tomorrow. Davis said he will ask members to reject measures to allow for a "meaningful" parliamentary vote on the final exit package. Reports claim that if MPs pass the bill, Theresa May could trigger Article 50 as early as Tuesday.

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4. Muslim detective sues Met for racism

A Muslim detective is suing Scotland Yard for racism. The Met have failed to block an employment claim from Detective Constable Nighat Hubbard, who was appointed an MBE in 2014 for her charity work. Hubbard alleges that white colleagues were allowed to work on more complex investigations while she was held back. She describes an internal inquiry on the matter as a "whitewash".

5. Energy giants are 'ripping off millions' say MPs

MPs say energy companies are "ripping off" millions of customers. The government has admitted that Britons are over-paying for electricity and gas because of excessive price rises by the big six energy firms. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said the government is ready to act where the market was failing.

6. World wide web inventor calls for push against fake news

The inventor of the world wide web has set out a plan to target fake news. Social networking sites and search engines must be pushed to combat the problem of fake news, said Sir Tim Berners-Lee. In an open letter to mark the 28th anniversary of the internet, Sir Tim also outlined a five-year strategy to combat the misuse of personal data, which he said creates a "chilling effect on free speech".

7. Madeleine McCann inquiry extended for six months

Funding for detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has been extended for a further six months. They have been granted £85,000 to extend the search between April and September this year. Meanwhile, the Sunday Express claims police have identified a man "who is key to the mystery". Madeleine disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007 aged three.

8. Highly-addictive synthetic drug turns users into 'Walking Dead'

A synthetic drug is "turning addicts into Walking Dead", says Sky News. 'Frozen spice', a chemically made synthetic marijuana, used to be sold as a so-called legal high but it has been illegal since May 2016. A charity worker in Manchester said it leaves users "almost catatonic" and is harder than heroin for addicts to give up.

9. Man arrested after breaching White House security fence

A man has appeared in court in Washington DC after jumping over the White House fence at midnight, telling the secret service: "I am a friend of the president". The 26-year-old man breached the security perimeter at 11:38pm on Friday night. Prosecutors say he was carrying a rucksack containing two cans of mace and a passport. Donald Trump was in the White House during the breach.

10. Prince Philip teases Hammond over his Budget

Philip Hammond faced "banter" over the Budget from Prince Philip when they met at a memorial service for war veterans last week. The Sunday Times says the outspoken prince "made a crack" at the expense of the Chancellor with "light-hearted banter" about the controversial Budget. "Poor old Phil is getting it from all sides," the source said. "Even the royals are having a go at him."