Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 16 Jan 2019

1. May faces no-confidence vote after historic Commons defeat

Theresa May is facing a vote of no confidence in her government called by Jeremy Corbyn after her Brexit plans were overwhelmingly rejected in a Commons vote last night. MPs voted against the prime minister’s EU exit deal by a margin of 230 - the largest defeat ever suffered by a sitting government. The confidence vote is expected to be held at around 7pm today.

2. At least 14 killed in Nairobi terror attack

At least 14 people have been killed by suspected Islamist terrorists at a hotel and office complex in Nairobi. Somali group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack, the most high-profile in Kenya for many years. Kenyan security services were still clearing the complex early this morning, with at least one US citizen among the dead.

3. Donald Tusk says UK should stay in the EU

European Council President Donald Tusk has reacted to last night’s Brexit vote by suggesting the UK should stay in the EU. Tusk tweeted: “If a deal is impossible, and no one wants no deal, then who will finally have the courage to say what the only positive solution is?” Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the European Commission, warned time was running out.

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4. NHS approves ‘mechanical body’ to save livers

The NHS has approved a new technology to keep human livers in good condition outside of human bodies until they can be used in transplants. The “liver-in-a-box” technique has been dubbed a “mechanical body” because it mimics the way a real body supplies oxygen and nutrients to an organ. Researchers believe it will save many lives.

5. ‘Upskirting’ to become criminal offence

Taking photographs up a woman’s skirt without her consent is to become a criminal offence, after the House of Lords approved a voyeurism bill that now requires only the formality of Royal Consent. The change in the law follows a campaign led by 26-year-old Gina Martin, who was “upskirted” at a music festival 18 months ago.

6. Grace Millane murder: man pleads not guilty

A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of British backpacker Grace Millane in New Zealand. The defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, entered his plea at the High Court in Auckland earlier today. A trial date of 4 November was set. The body of the 22-year-old graduate, from Essex, was found in a bush area on the outskirts of the city in December.

7. Pound rallies as investors hail softer Brexit

The value of the pound fell yesterday following the announcement that MPs had voted against Theresa May’s Brexit plans – but then quickly rallied. Sky News speculates that investors believe yesterday’s events will lead to a “softer Brexit”.

8. Red Bull ‘4pm finish’ advert banned

An advertising campaign for Red Bull has been banned after watchdogs ruled that it wrongly implied the sugary soft drink could increase focus and concentration. The poster campaign suggested office workers could finish early at 4pm if they drank Red Bull, but the Advertising Standards Authority said this implied unauthorised health claims.

9. Rihanna takes father to court over trademark

US singer Rihanna is suing her father, Ronald Fenty, accusing him of exploiting their family name to win business. Rihanna owns a trademark for the name Fenty, which she uses to sell beauty products in the US and elsewhere, and is objecting to her father calling his business Fenty Entertainment.

10. Briefing: how breast cancer calculator works

A groundbreaking new system that can predict the extent to which a patient is at risk of breast cancer may soon be available in GP surgeries.

According to a study by Cancer Research UK, researchers have created an online calculator that takes into account more than 300 genetic indicators for the disease, alongside factors including the patient’s weight, age at menopause, alcohol consumption, use of hormone replacement therapy and hereditary factors.

Breast cancer calculator: how it works