Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 25 Oct 2017

1. China: no heir revealed for Xi Jinping

Unveiling its new leadership committee, China’s communist party has broken with tradition by not proposing a clear successor to President Xi Jinping – another indication of how firmly he has cemented his grip on power. Yesterday, Xi’s name was written into the party constitution, making political dissent even more unthinkable.

2. Half of women ‘have been harassed at work’

A survey of 2,000 people carried out for the BBC found one half of British women – and one fifth of men – had been sexually harassed at a place of work or study. Of those who had been harassed, 63% of women did not report it. Another survey by Sky found that 55% of women had been sexually harassed, 31% of them at work.

3. Republican senator Jeff Flake slams Trump

A US Republican senator, Jeff Flake, has announced he will not seek re-election, while delivering a stinging attack on President Donald Trump. He accused Trump of “reckless, outrageous and undignified behaviour”. Commentators say Flake had no chance of winning his seat against a more right-wing candidate supported by Trump.

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4. BBC ‘should have challenged Lawson claim’

The BBC has admitted that it should have challenged a claim made by former chancellor Nigel Lawson when he appeared on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme in August in an item about climate change. Lawson said “official figures” show average global temperatures have “declined slightly”, a false claim which went unchallenged.

5. Bloomberg says Brexit ‘stupidest thing except Trump’

Brexit is the “single stupidest thing any country has ever done” except elect Donald Trump, according to former New York mayor and media billionaire Michael Bloomberg. In remarks made earlier this month but only just reported, he said it was “really hard to understand why a country that was doing so well wanted to ruin it”.

6. Fashion brands drop Richardson over sex claims

Fashion labels Valentino and Bulgari – and Vogue, Vanity Fair and GQ publisher Conde Nast – have said they will no longer employ the world-famous photographer Terry Richardson. Known for sexually provocative images, Richardson has long been accused of inappropriate and exploitative behaviour by a string of models.

7. Saudi Prince: I will restore moderate Islam

The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, says he will return the oil-rich nation to “moderate Islam” and has asked for global support to do so. The 32-year-old told The Guardian that his country had been “not normal” for the past 30 years and said rigid doctrines were the result of leadership fearing a revolution.

8. Einstein’s meaning of life sells for £1.19m

A note dashed off by Albert Einstein for a Japanese courier, in lieu of a tip, has broken the record price for a document at an Israeli auction, selling for £1.19m. Written on Imperial Hotel Tokyo stationery in 1922, the note advises in German: “A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest.”

9. Jeremy Corbyn to appear on Gogglebox

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is to appear on Channel 4 reality TV show Gogglebox. He will share a sofa with an unrevealed celebrity for a special charity edition of the show, which watches people watching television, to raise money for Stand up to Cancer. It is not thought the filming will take place in the Labour stalwart’s own home.

10. Mugabe: from dictator to goodwill ambassador - and back again

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe may hold the world record for shortest stint as a goodwill ambassador - an appointment as improbable as Wonder Woman and her gold bustier becoming an honorary UN ambassador to empower girls.

The 93-year-old dictator, who has presided over the collapse of Zimbabwe’s healthcare system, was given the role by the World Health Organisation (WHO) last week and tasked to tackle non-communicable diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Mugabe: from brutal dictator to WHO goodwill ambassador - and back again