News Daily: Brexit cost and Railcard extended to under-30s

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UK 'ready to pay more for Brexit'

The European Union says talks on a post-Brexit trade agreement can't begin until the UK's "divorce bill" is agreed. So, the BBC understands, senior cabinet ministers have agreed to offer to increase the amount paid. But Downing Street has dismissed reports the UK could double its £20bn offer, with one ex-minister warning voters would "go bananas" if that happened.

There was no substantial discussion of a specific amount at a cabinet committee meeting led by the prime minister on Monday night. EU leaders are due to decide at a summit on 14 and 15 December whether to allow talks on a future trade relationship to begin.

BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg looks at the "painfully slow process" Theresa May has had to go through to persuade her cabinet colleagues to go this far - and what further challenges she faces.

Mugabe 'could be gone in days'

He didn't quit when set a deadline to do so, so now it looks as though Robert Mugabe will have to go through impeachment. Zimbabwe's president's own party, Zanu-PF, will present a motion to parliament later, listing charges including allowing his wife Grace to "usurp constitutional power". It says the 93-year-old could be out of power within two days. With their political careers looking finished, what are the options for dealing with Mr and Mrs Mugabe?

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Railcard extended for people aged up to 30

For years, those aged 16 to 25 have been able to buy Railcards getting them discounts on off-peak train travel. In Wednesday's Budget, Chancellor Philip Hammond will announce the scheme will be extended to those up to the age of 30, probably from next spring. The Treasury said this would help cut the cost of living for young people, but Labour said the so-called millennials' card represented no more than "tinkering".

Life as a woman in North Korea's army

By Megha Mohan, BBC Stories

In 2015 it was announced that all women in North Korea must do seven years' military service from the age of 18. At the same time the government took the unusual step of saying it would distribute a premium female sanitary brand called Daedong in most female units. "This may have been a way to atone for conditions of the past," says author Jieun Baek. "That statement may have been to over-correct for this well-known phenomenon that conditions for women used to be bad. It may have been a way to boost morale and get more women to think, 'Wow, we will be taken care of.'"

What the papers say

News imagei and Sun front pages for 21/11/17

Brexit stories are on several front pages. The i says Theresa May will offer the EU £40bn "to get Brexit going", while Metro leads on EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier warning that the UK will "suffer" after leaving. But the Times says some senior Brexit supporters are urging Mrs May to exploit the difficulties of German Chancellor Angela Merkel - who has not managed to form a coalition government in her own country - to push for a better deal. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail says mobile cancer screening tests are going nationwide and the Daily Star, Sun and Daily Mirror lead on the break-up of Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood's marriage.

Daily digest

Gaia Pope Teenager struggled with health before her death, father says

Tampon tax How much have you spent over the years?

Albatross worries Why the future looks bleak for the birds who starred in Blue Planet

Top of the Pops Who's in the line-up for the Christmas special?

If you watch one thing today

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If you listen to one thing today

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If you read one thing today

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Today's look ahead

10:00 A Commons Treasury Committee hearing looks at the work of the Bank of England.

22:00 The International Emmy Awards take place in New York, with Sir Kenneth Branagh and Anna Friel among the UK actors nominated.

Today US President Donald Trump carries out the White House tradition of pardoning a turkey to save it from being eaten for Thanksgiving.

On this day

1974 Two bombs explode in pubs in central Birmingham, killing 19 people and injuring more than 180.

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