Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 18 Oct 2018

1. Brexiteer MPs angered by longer transition

Theresa May is facing a furious backlash from Pro-Brexit MPs for refusing to rule out extending the transition period after the UK leaves the European Union. The transition could now last until the end of 2022, a year longer than previously planned. The prime minister has been forced to consider the option after talks in Brussels stalled.

2. ‘Acid used to dissolve’ body of Khashoggi

A source close to the Turkish investigation into the disappearance of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has told Sky News that one line of inquiry is that his body was disposed of by being dissolved in acid. Khashoggi was last seen on CCTV entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October.

3. Amazon sued for ‘poaching eBay sellers’

Internet auction site eBay is taking Amazon to court over claims that the US retail giant used illegal tactics to poach online sellers. A lawsuit filed by eBay in California claims that dozens of Amazon representatives created eBay accounts from which to recruit sellers via eBay’s internal email system, in violation of eBay’s terms of use.

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4. Local authorities ‘pimped woman with learning difficulties’

Relatives of a 23-year-old autistic woman with learning difficulties have accused local authorities of “pimping” her out so that she could “learn from her mistakes”. A court backed suggestions by carers that men be allowed to visit and engage in intercourse with the woman, who had a history of seeking risky sex, at her Manchester care home. Court papers obtained by The Times show the woman was subject to “sexual violations and rapes” as a child.

5. Safety concerns raised about baby boxes

Medical experts and cot death charity Lullaby Trust have raised concerns about baby boxes being promoted as an alternative to cots, despite a lack of evidence of their safety. The boxes, with mattresses, are being offered to new mothers in Scotland and parts of England, inspired by a similar scheme in Finland that has run since the 1930s.

6. Search for US teen after parents murdered

Police in the US are searching for a 13-year-old girl who has been missing since her parents were murdered on Monday. Jayme Closs is in danger and may have been removed from her Wisconsin family home by an “unknown individual” who probably had a gun, say police. Investigators have received more than 400 tips from across the country but reportedly have few solid leads.

7. Code to teach drivers not to ‘door’ cyclists

The Government is consulting on whether to change the Highway Code, with proposals including advice to drivers to open doors with their “far hand” hand when exiting vehicles. The technique, called the “Dutch reach”, encourages the driver to look behind them before opening their door and thereby avoid hitting cyclists. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling was filmed “dooring” a cyclist in 2016.

8. Awards shorlist includes potato plastic

The shortlist for the prestigious James Dyson Award, an annual prize for innovative design worldwide, has been announced – and includes a process to make cutlery from potato peelings. Other nominations include a robotic device to clean pollution from rivers and lakes. The winning design team, from a shortlist of 20, will receive a £30,000 prize.

9. Banksy video: shredding prank went wrong

A new video from street artist Banksy suggests his recent stunt in which a paper artwork was half-destroyed by a mechanical shredder built into its frame, seconds after it was sold at Sotheby’s for £1.04m, may not have gone entirely to plan. The video shows tests in which the picture is entirely shredded, while an accompanying message says: “In rehearsals it worked every time...”

10. Briefing: how safe is flying?

A third of people in Britain are more scared of flying now than they were ten years ago. But experts say we have little to fear.

Is air travel really a safe option? The Week examines the statistics on just how much risk plane passengers are taking.

Fact check: is flying safe?