Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 14 Sep 2016

1. Briefing: UK 'one of the most unequal countries'

Growing wealth inequality has made the UK economy one of the most unequal in the western world and is increasing relative poverty rates, according to Oxfam. Based on its analysis of data compiled by the investment bank Credit Suisse, the charity claims that 634,000 of the UK's richest people are worth 20 times as much as the poorest 13 million combined.

UK 'one of the most unequal countries in the western world'

2. Damning verdict on Cameron's Libya action

A report by the cross-party Foreign Affairs committee of MPs out today delivers a damning verdict on David Cameron's 2011 intervention in Libya. Cameron is blamed for the lack of a coherent strategy in a campaign based on "erroneous assumptions" which led to the rise of Islamic State in north Africa and near-civil war in Libya.

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MPs attack David Cameron over rise of Islamic State in Libya

3. One in seven UK species 'facing extinction'

One in seven British species of plants and animals are at risk of extinction, including animals like the hedgehog, a new report warns. The research, which pools data from 53 wildlife organisations, found that intensive agriculture was a major factor, having an "overwhelmingly negative" impact on nature. Urban sprawl was also blamed.

4. Household dust linked to infertility and cancer

US scientists have found that household dust harbours toxic chemicals linked to an increased risk of cancer, infertility and other problems. The chemicals found came from a range of common items including flooring, electrical goods, beauty products and cleaning materials. The researchers say children are particularly vulnerable.

5. Russian hackers leak Rio drug files

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has condemned Russian hackers who released the confidential medical files of US star Olympians in an apparent attempt to discredit them. After the leak, gymnast Simone Biles said she had long been taking medicine for attention deficity hyperactivity disorder but had "always followed the rules".

London 2012 'corrupted on unprecedented scale' by doping

6. Guilty plea from Briton accused of Trump plot

A 20-year-old Briton accused of trying to kill Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has pled guilty to lesser charges, apparently after a plea bargain which will see him sentenced to around two years in jail and deportation. Michael Sandford, from Dorking, admitted trying to grab a policeman's gun at a Trump rally in June.

7. Ebola nurse Cafferkey cleared of misconduct

Scottish nurse Pauline Cafferkey, who was infected with Ebola in 2014, has been cleared of misconduct charges by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. It was claimed she allowed a wrong temperature to be recorded during the screening process at Heathrow on her arrival from Sierra Leone. But a tribunal heard that the screening was "chaotic" and that she was impaired by the illness.

8. Prison staff 'watched as inmate blinded himself'

The prisoner ombudsman has strongly criticised staff at a prison in Maghaberry, Northern Ireland, who watched but did not intervene when a mentally-ill prisoner committed "extreme and shocking" self harm over three days, blinding himself and injuring his groin. Sean Lynch's father, Damien, accused staff of gross negligence.

9. MH370: Scorched debris suggests fire

Two more pieces of aircraft wreckage found by an amateur investigator in Madagascar, which could be part of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, appear to carry burn marks. Blaine Gibson has previously found other wreckage confirmed to be from the plane, but none has so far shown evidence of burning.

10. Russian scientists 'encircled by polar bears'

Scientists at a Russian weather station in the Arctic may have to wait more than a month for help, encircled by polar bears. Ten adult bears and cubs have been besieging the weather station on Troynoy island, in the Kara sea north of Siberia, for the past two weeks. The five researchers have run out of flares to deter the animals.

Russian meteorologists 'besieged by polar bears'