Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 20 Jan 2019

1. Dominic Grieve in 'secret talks' to suspend Brexit

Leaked emails show that Dominic Grieve, the former attorney-general, has been in secret communications with the clerk of bills, with the “explicit intention” of suspending Britain’s departure from the EU. Separately, a group of MPs will present a bill tomorrow that could allow Brexit to be delayed if Parliament does not approve an EU withdrawal agreement. Downing Street says the moves are "extremely concerning”.

2. Democrats reject Trump's 'compromises' on standoff

Donald Trump has revealed new plans on his Mexican wall project to try to end a partial government shutdown lasting more than four weeks. One of the US President’s “compromises” was on the “Dreamers”, who entered the US illegally when young. He is still demanding $5.7bn (£4.5bn) to fund the wall. Democrats refuse to fund it and had already rejected the expected concessions ahead of the speech.

3. Around 170 dead in Mediterranean shipwrecks

The UNHCR says about 170 people are feared to have died in two separate Mediterranean shipwrecks. The Italian navy says a ship sank off the coast of Libya with 117 people on board, while authorities in Morocco and Spain authorities have tried to find a lost boat in the western Mediterranean. More than 2,200 people lost their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean last year.

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4. 'Car bomb' explodes outside Derry courthouse

A suspected car bomb has exploded on a city centre street in Derry. The explosion happened outside a courthouse on Bishop Street on Saturday evening, shortly after police received a warning. The Police Service of Northern Ireland tweeted a photograph of an explosion in Bishop Street, warning people to stay away. Sinn Féin MP Elisha McCallion said the incident had “shocked the local community”.

5. Car crash victims says Duke has not apologised

The woman who broke her wrist in a car crash with Prince Philip says the Duke has not apologised to her. Speaking of her “pain, shock and upset,” Emma Fairweather says the collision unfolded “in slow motion”. Meanwhile, Norfolk Police say they have spoken to the Duke after he was pictured driving without a seatbelt, 48 hours after being involved in a crash near Sandringham in Norfolk.

6. John Bercow may stay on longer in defiance of criticism

The speaker of the House of Commons is considering abandoning his plans to step down this year after cabinet ministers threatened to deny him a peerage because of his alleged “bias” against the government over Brexit. The Observer reports that friends of John Bercow say that he is now “seriously reflecting” on whether to stay on – possibly until 2022.

7. Shelve right-to-buy say MPs after revelations

More than 40% of council houses sold under the right-to-buy scheme’s terms in London are now privately rented. The news has led to demands that ministers shelve the scheme, which was launched by Margaret Thatcher. A freedom of information request has also found that millions of pounds are being paid by local authorities to rent former council homes in order to house growing numbers of homeless families.

8. Zimbabwe hiding 'horrors' behind a news blackout

Children as young as 10 are among the hundreds of people who have been killed or beaten in Zimbabwe in recent days in a clampdown the authorities have attempted to conceal by shutting down the internet and deporting foreign journalists. The Sunday Times says it has secretly met hundreds of people who have been beaten or had dogs set on them by masked police or soldiers.

9. Labour 'moving closer to approving a second vote'

Labour is edging closer to backing new Brexit referendum as senior figures pile pressure on Jeremy Corbyn, says The Independent. Three shadow cabinet members have intensified the pressure on the Labour leader, saying the party must stick by its pledge to “campaign for a public vote” if the prime minister holds firm on her “red lines” and Labour fails to force a general election.

10. Parents face four-figure fines for term-time holidays

Parents could be fined thousands of pounds if they take children out of school in term time for cheap holidays. Tory-controlled Lancashire county council is considering a plan to issue fines of more than £1,000 per child per parent. The local authority has issued more term-time holiday penalty notices than almost any other council. Under the new scheme a family with two children at the same school could receive a £4,000 fine.