Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 22 Oct 2017

1. Labour could join forces with Conservative rebels on Brexit

Labour will back Tory rebels over Brexit unless Theresa May accepts changes to its repeal bill, says the party's shadow Brexit secretary. Sir Keir Starmer is demanding six changes to the bill, which aims to transfer EU legislation into British law. Writing in The Sunday Times, he says MPs must get the "final say on whether to approve the withdrawal agreement and how best to implement it".

2. Storm Brian brings gusts of up to 84mph to UK

Storm Brian caused less disruption than expected as it hit the UK with gale-force winds and high seas. Gusts of 84mph were recorded on the Isle of Wight. Red and amber flood warnings covered much of northern England on Sunday morning, with residents urged to "take immediate action" to stay safe and prevent damage. The Environment Agency has warned people against posing for photos during the perilous conditions.

3. Gazumping on homes could be outlawed by government

So-called 'gazumping' could be banned as the Government bids to make buying and selling a home "cheaper, faster and less stressful". Although around one million homes are bought and sold in England every year, a quarter of sales fall through. Gazumping is when a seller accepts a higher offer after already agreeing to a sale. Communities Secretary Sajid Javid is calling for testimony from the industry.

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4. 'Donald Trump' candidate wins the Czech election

Voters in the Czech Republic have elected a billionaire businessman who has been compared to Donald Trump. Andrej Babis, the country’s second-richest man, saw his populist ANO become the biggest party in parliament and in position to form a coalition government. He has been accused of plotting to weaken parliament and buying up sections of the media to silence criticism.

5. Outcry after National Trust votes to allow trail hunting

The National Trust has buckled to pressure from the hunting lobby, claim anti-hunting campaigners. After a motion to ban trail hunting on the organisation’s land was narrowly defeated at its annual conference yesterday, many members announced they would cancel their subscriptions in disgust. Campaigners see trail hunting as a means of circumventing the 2004 hunting ban.

6. Austerity cuts leave public sector paid less than private

Years of austerity cuts have seen public sector workers’ pay fall below that of their private sector counterparts for the first time since the financial crash. According to Treasury data obtained by the GMB union, last year public sector workers were paid 0.6% less than private sector colleagues in similar jobs. In comparison, they enjoyed a premium of 3.1% compared with the private sector in 2005, rising to 5.8% in 2010.

7. Donald Trump previews release of JFK files

Donald Trump has announced he will allow the release of the "long blocked and classified" files on the assassination of John F Kennedy. It is hoped the 3,000 files could shed light on a trip to Mexico taken by alleged assassin Lee Harvey Oswald just prior to the shooting. Trump’s announcement, made against the advice of the National Security Council, has drawn claims the President is seeking to distract the public.

8. Theresa May warned Universal Credit could be 'her poll tax'

Theresa May is planning a climbdown over Universal Credit payments, after being warned it could become her "poll tax". Ministers are reportedly examining ways to reduce the waiting time for the government’s new benefits scheme from six weeks to one month. However, the Prime Minister defended the scheme only four days ago during Prime Minister's Questions, insisting that "it is a system that is working".

9. Fossil shows that dinosaurs were cuddly

Dinosaurs liked to snuggle up and socialize, according to a new discovery. Fossil unearthed after 70m years shows a trio of young dinosaurs sleeping peacefully together. Communal roosting is common in many modern species, including crows and bats, but this is the first evidence that dinosaurs loved a cuddle. In the past they have been depicted as "solo, lumbering beasts", says The Observer.

10. 'I'm done' - Priscilla Presley leaves Scientology

Priscilla Presley has quit the controversial Church of Scientology. The 72-year-old told friends she had quit the religion after nearly four decades, says the Mail on Sunday. "I’ve had enough. I’m done," said Presley, who recently dated singer Tom Jones. She is believed to have joined Scientology after the death of husband Elvis. The religious sect counts Tom Cruise and John Travolta as members.