Your morning briefing: What you should know for Wednesday, January 22

Democrats lose series of battles on opening day of Trump impeachment trial

The Democrats have lost the first of their battles on the opening day of the impeachment trial of Donald Trump.

Proceedings continued into the early hours, with Republicans blocking demands to bring forward documents and witness evidence.

Lawmakers have so far voted down all of Democratic leader Chuck Schumer's amendments tabled in the Senate.

Mr Schumer had wanted to subpoena documents from the administration related to Mr Trump's communications with Ukraine and the release of military aid to the country.

He also wanted White House budget documents about the withheld aid. But his Republican colleagues blocked his attempts.

Thomas Markle says he does not believe he will see Meghan ever again

The Duchess of Sussex’s father Thomas Markle has revealed he does not believe he will see his daughter ever again.

Mr Markle said he thinks Meghan and Prince Harry are “not thrilled” with him and would not want to talk to him.

His remarks surfaced after Prince Harry rejoined his wife in Canada to begin their new life amid a bid to step back as “senior” royals.

“The last time they might see me is being lowered into the ground," Mr Markle said in a Channel 5 documentary, which airs tonight.

PM's Brexit deal returns to Commons after five defeats in Lords

Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal will today return to the Commons as MPs consider amendments after it suffered five defeats in the Lords.

In the latest reverses, peers backed a move to ensure the rights of unaccompanied child refugees to be reunited with their families after the UK leaves the EU.

Voting was 300 to 220, majority 80, in a fourth defeat for the Prime Minister in just 24 hours.

But Mr Johnson looks certain to overturn all the defeats in the Commons using his 80-strong majority gained in the landslide general election.

Boeing delays 737 Max's return to skies until summer

Boeing does not expect its 737 Max planes to return to the skies until the summer, several months longer than the company estimated just weeks ago.

That timetable is likely to create more headaches for airlines by pushing the Max's return further into the peak travel season.

The jet has been grounded since March last year following two fatal crashes, which combined killed 346 people.

The company said regulators will decide when the Max flies again but that it will periodically provide its best estimate of when that will happen.

Kate's 24-hour dash around UK as she launches project aimed at improving children's lives

The Duchess of Cambridge has launched a landmark national survey into early childhood development as she embarks on a 24-hour tour of the country.

Kate travelled to Birmingham for her first stop to highlight her ambitious new project.

She joined a group of youngsters at an interactive attraction and chatted to health professionals and fellow parents.

The survey will ask "five big questions on the under fives" which will guide her future work.

On this day...

1901: Queen Victoria died at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, aged 81.

1905: Bloody Sunday in St Petersburg when at least 500 people were slaughtered as thousands marched on the Winter Palace in protest at Tsar Nicholas II's regime.

1924: James Ramsay MacDonald became Britain's first Labour Prime minister.

1927: The Football League game between Arsenal and Sheffield United was the first to be broadcast.

1947: Fresh meat ration was reduced to 1s- (5p) worth weekly.

1992: US military material was seized in Germany as it was about to be loaded on to a cargo plane bound for Libya.