Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 23 Oct 2018

1. MPs warn of ‘relentless’ harassment of women

A cross-party group of MPs is calling on the Government to tackle the “relentless” sexual harassment of women on Britain’s streets. The Women and Equalities Committee say harassment ranging from cat-calls to sexual assault has become “normalised” for girls growing up today. The Home Office says it will make the issue a priority.

2. Nobel Prize winners call for Brexit science deal

A letter signed by 29 Nobel laureates and six Fields Medal-winning mathematicians has been sent to Theresa May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker pleading for a deal to safeguard British science following Brexit. Sir Paul Nurse, who won the Nobel for his work on breast cancer, said the key message was: “Take science seriously.” Loss of funding and freedom of movement are the two big concerns.

3. World’s oldest shipwreck found in Black Sea

Marine archaeologists have discovered a 2,400-year-old shipwreck at the bottom of the Black Sea. The Greek trading vessel is perfectly preserved and is believed to be the oldest intact wreck in the world. About 75ft long, it has a visible mast, rowing benches and oars. The wreck will not be moved, because raising it would be hugely expensive and require taking some of the joints apart.

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4. Plastic particles found in human digestive systems

Tiny fragments of plastic that are known to have contaminated the oceans and food chain have now been found in human digestive systems. Stool samples from countries across the globe, including Britain, contained nine of the ten most common microplastics, a team from Vienna University has found.

5. Khashoggi squad leader ‘called Bin Salman office’

Turkey has claimed there is evidence linking the alleged leader of the “hit squad” sent to Istanbul to kill dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb is said to have called the Prince’s office hours after Khashoggi’s death.

6. May urged to drop inquiry into NI killings

Theresa May is being urged by 150 Tory MPs and peers to drop plans to investigate deaths in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. In a letter to the prime minister, they say that former soldiers would be put “at an exceptional disadvantage” if a Historical Investigations Unit is created to examine past deaths. Former servicemen have protested against the plans.

7. People who eat organic 25% less likely to get cancer

A study of almost 70,000 adults has found that people who eat organic fruit and vegetables are 25% less likely to develop cancer than those who do not, according to researchers at Paris University. The scientists believe that pesticide residues in conventional products are to blame. However, critics argue that the link may not be causal, as the organic consumers may be better off and healthy for other reasons.

8. Meat-free burgers ‘contain more salt than seawater’

Campaign group Action on Salt is warning that some highly processed meat alternatives, including commercially produced vegan and vegetarian burgers, contain more salt than seawater. The saltiest product was Tofurky’s Deli Slices Hickory Smoked, followed by Tesco’s Meat Free Bacon Style Rashers - with 3.5g and 3.2g of salt per 100g respectively.

9. Amy Schumer announces pregnancy on Instagram

US comedian Amy Schumer has announced she is pregnant in an Instagram post that also called on people to vote for Democratic candidates in the upcoming US mid-term elections. Schumer teased her revelation by publishing a picture of her head, and that of her chef husband Chris Fischer, edited onto Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s bodies.

10. Stephen Hawking auction: what’s on sale

Fans of Stephen Hawking are being offered the chance to buy personal possessions left by the late physicist including his doctoral thesis, his wheelchair and a script from an episode of The Simpsons in which he featured.

New York-based auction house Christie’s has announced that a total of 22 items owned by Hawking, who died in March this year at the age of 76, will go under the hammer in an online sale between 31 October and 8 November.

Stephen Hawking auction: what’s on sale