Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 25 Jul 2013

1. A&E: 'PAY DOCTORS MORE TO END CRISIS'

A&E doctors should be paid more for working unsociable hours and to stem the number of trainees opting for less demanding specialties, the president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine has said. Dr Clifford Mann's comments came after a report found that just one in five casualty wards was staffed by an adequate number of consultants on weekdays.

2. SPANISH TRAIN CRASH: TOLL HITS 80

At least 80 people were killed and more than 140 injured when a high-speed train careered off the rails and burst into flames in Spain last night. Authorities have warned that the final toll from the crash, which happened at 8.42pm local time, may rise even further. The driver of the train told controllers he was travelling too fast.

78 die in Spanish rail crash: was train travelling far too fast?

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3. ARCHBISHOP ATTACKS PAYDAY LENDER WONGA

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said the Church of England intends to force payday lender Wonga out of business. Justin Welby, a critic of the "usurious" rates of interest charged by such firms, says the Church will help rival non-profit lenders. He warned the boss of Wonga: "We're trying to compete you out of existence."

Archbishop warns Wonga: 'I'll compete you out of business'

4. TWO STAFFORD NURSES STRUCK OFF

Two Stafford Hospital nurses who falsified A&E discharge times have been struck off after they were found to have brought their profession into serious disrepute. The Nursing and Midwifery Council panel said yesterday that by making it seem like they had met their four-hour target times, Sharon Turner and Tracey-Ann White's actions had constituted misconduct.

5. CAMERON TO 'EXPORT' SAME SEX LAW

David Cameron has said he wants to "export" gay marriage around the world, boasting that Britain is now "the best place to be gay, lesbian or transgender anywhere in Europe". A year after promising to legalise same sex marriage, the PM told a Downing Street reception that the new legislation was "a great achievement" although there was "more work" ahead.

Prime Minister plans to 'export' same-sex marriage

6. HOW PRINCE GEORGE GOT HIS NAME

The newborn Prince of Cambridge was named George Alexander Louis not because of any special significance but simply because his parents, William and Kate, liked the names, Palace officials have said. It is believed they discussed the name with the Queen before going public – though there is no protocol demanding her approval.

Prince George ‘played sheep in school nativity’

7. AMBASSADOR ROLE FOR CAROLINE KENNEDY

Caroline Kennedy, the only living child of the former President John F Kennedy, has been appointed America's ambassador to Japan. Kennedy, who is a lawyer by background, has been a key supporter of President Barack Obama. She will be the first woman to take up the influential post if she is confirmed by the US Senate.

Caroline Kennedy to Tokyo: Obama keeps goodies coming

8. ELDERLY DEATH RATE SPIKE A MYSTERY

Thousands more elderly people have died during the past year than is usual, a government report has found. The spike, part of an overall rise in death rates, is baffling health officials. Figures from Public Health England show there have been 23,400 more deaths than usual in England and Wales since early 2012. Those aged over 65 have borne the brunt of the rise.

9. GDP: 0.6% GROWTH CHEERS OSBORNE

The UK economy grew by 0.6% in the three months to June, up from 0.3% in the previous quarter, according to GDP figures released today by the Office for National Statistics. Chancellor George Osborne greeted the figures as "better than forecast", adding: "Britain is holding its nerve, we are sticking to our plan, and the British economy is on the mend."

GDP: green shoots of recovery? Maybe. Just don't say it

10. HOT TICKET: LAURA KNIGHT PORTRAITS

The first major retrospective of the paintings of Laura Knight has opened at the National Portrait Gallery in London. 'Laura Knight Portraits' presents more than 30 works by the early 20th Century British society painter and one-time official war artist. "Flashes of genius," says the Sunday Times. Until 13 October.

Laura Knight portraits at NPG display 'flashes of genius'