Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 18 Mar 2018

1. UK's nuclear power plant warned of Kremlin threat

The Sellafield nuclear power plant, power companies and NHS hospitals have been warned to prepare for a state-sponsored assault from the Kremlin. Spy chiefs have ordered energy bosses to boost their security amid fears of a Russian cyber-attack that could cause a blackout. Officials from the National Cyber Security Centre put the National Grid alert last week.

2. Whistleblower says 50m Facebook profiles harvested

A whistleblower has revealed that data analytics firm that worked with Donald Trump’s election team and the pro-Brexit campaign harvested millions of Facebook profiles of American voters. Speaking to The Observer, Christopher Wylie said Cambridge Analytica – a company owned by the hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer - used the harvested profiles to build a powerful software program to predict and influence choices at the ballot box.

3. Warnings as second day of snow and ice disrupts UK

Snow and ice is set to bring a second day of disruption to air and road travel in parts of the UK. Surrey Police have told the public not to travel unless it is "absolutely essential" and Met Office amber warnings of a possible risk to life are in place in south-west England, south-east and mid-Wales and the West Midlands all day.

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4. Brexit delay proposal gets MPs squabbling

A call for Brexit to be delayed to give the UK more time for a better deal has caused angry exchanges between pro-Remain and pro-Leave MPs. The proposal, led by committee chairman former Labour Cabinet minister Hilary Benn, has the backing of other MPs on the 21-member committee. But Leave supporters are furiously opposing it.

5. Ousted FBI director hands over memos on Trump

The former deputy director of the FBI has handed memos about conversations he had with Donald Trump to an inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election. According to media in the US, the memos Andrew McCabe passed on could support allegations that the President sought to obstruct justice. Trump says the Russia investigation is a "witch hunt".

6. Russian ambassador points finger at British laboratory

Russia's ambassador to the EU has claimed that a British research laboratory could be the source of the nerve agent used in the attack on an ex-spy and his daughter. Speaking to the BBC, Vladimir Chizhov insisted that Moscow had "nothing to do" with the poisoning in Salisbury. Ministers are planning new sanctions against Vladimir Putin after the Russian government expelled 23 British diplomats.

7. Universities encourage gender-neutral email sign-offs

Students and teachers are being encouraged to sign their emails stating whether they prefer to be known as he or she — or a different option. The Sunday Times reports that the addition of he/him, she/her or they/them to the foot of messages is a bid to "normalise the use of gender pronouns" and avoid transgender students being wrongly addressed.

8. Panic as car is driven into busy Kent nightclub

Panic erupted and a number of people were injured when a man drove a car into a busy nightclub in Kent. Police, who were called to Blake's in Queen Street late last night, say the driver was believed to have been asked to leave the club in Gravesend following an earlier altercation. Eye witnesses said a 4x4 was driven into a tented area full of people.

9. Spain reminds UK of its right to Gibraltar veto

Spain has warned that Gibraltar will not be covered by the provisional Brexit transition deal that Theresa May hopes to tie-up with EU leaders within days. Madrid has reiterated the veto over Gibraltar that the European Union granted it last year. The issue is a significant hurdle because the UK government has repeatedly promised that it will not leave Gibraltar behind as the UK exits the EU.

10. Review launched after six horses die at Cheltenham

The British Horseracing Authority has promised to launch a review after six horses died at the four-day Cheltenham Festival. On Friday alone, four horses had to be put down. A spokesman said: "Everyone who follows this sport does so because we love these fine animals." Meanwhile, World Horse Welfare said: "None of these fatalities can be accepted as a by-product of the sport."