Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 12 Jan 2019

1. Top Tory Brexiteers believe Britain won't leave EU

Leading Tory donors who spent millions on the Brexit campaign say they now believe that Britain may not leave the EU. Crispin Odey, a hedge fund manager who has given more than £870,000 to pro-Leave groups, said: “My view is that it ain’t going to happen. I just can’t see how it happens with that configuration of parliament.” Two other key donors made similar predictions.

2. FBI investigated whether Trump was Moscow stooge

The FBI opened an inquiry in 2017 into whether Donald Trump was working on behalf of Russia, reports the New York Times. Following the president’s firing of the former FBI director James Comey, law enforcement officials began exploring whether the president was working against American interests and on behalf of Moscow. They wanted to determine whether he constituted a national security threat.

3. Prisons minister: short sentences should be scrapped

Prison sentences of six months or less should be scrapped, says the prisons minister. Rory Stewart argues that the move would ease pressure on prisons and be better for offenders, reports the Daily Telegraph. He said that ”very short” jail terms were ”long enough to damage you and not long enough to heal you”, adding: ”You bring somebody in for three or four weeks, they lose their house, their job, their family, their reputation”.

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4. Saudi on way to Canada as Trudeau grants asylum

The Saudi teenager who fled her homeland for Thailand to escape her ”abusive” family is on her way to Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed he has granted asylum to the 18-year-old. Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun was given refugee status by the UN high commissioner for refugees on Wednesday. She fears being killed by her relatives if she returns to Saudi Arabia.

5. US shutdown passes record milestone

The partial shutdown of the US government has become the longest on record. It has reached its 22nd day, surpassing the previous record - the 21-day shutdown under then-President Bill Clinton. About a quarter of the federal government is still out of operation after Donald Trump refused to approve a budget unless it includes funds for a wall on the Mexican border.

6. Charity warns over plan to scrap free TV licence for elderly

Abolishing the free TV licence for over-75s could push 50,000 older people into poverty, according to Age UK. After the broadcaster opened a consultation on whether to start charging older people the £150.50-a-year fee, the charity said such a move could harm the elderly, “potentially forcing them to cut back on other essentials such as heating and food in order to remain informed, entertained, stimulated and connected to the world beyond their doorstep”.

7. How charity shops are 'spoiling' UK high streets

Taxpayer support for charity shops may be “spoiling” high streets, says The Times this morning. New data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government shows the cost of offering charities an 80% discount on business rates rose to almost £1.9bn in 2017-18 from £850m in 2008-09. Industry commentators say this is blocking out the independent shops, cafés, and leisure premises needed to stimulate town centres.

8. Air pollution as damaging for pregnant as smoking

Air pollution is as bad for pregnant women as smoking in increasing the risk of miscarriage, according to a new scientific study. The researchers described their core finding as upsetting. “It’s pretty profound,” said one. “If you compare that increase in risk to other studies on environmental effects on the foetus, it’s akin to tobacco smoke in first trimester pregnancy loss.”

9. Minister: stopping Brexit would empower the far-right

Blocking Brexit could empower far-right extremists, says the transport secretary. Chris Grayling says that failing to leave the European Union would lead the 17m people who voted for Brexit to feel “cheated”, ending centuries of “moderate” politics in the UK. He said it would also provoke more “nasty” incidents of intimidation.

10. Wreck of World War One submarine emerges on Calais beach

The wreck of a German submarine from World War One is gradually emerging on a beach in northern France. It is believed that shifting sand off Wissant, near Calais, is responsible for exposing the remains of the UC-61. The vessel was was stranded there in July 1917. It is now becoming a tourist attraction.