Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 26 Nov 2014

1. MADAGASCAR PLAGUE REACHES CAPITAL

There are fears that an outbreak of plague in Madagascar, similar to the Black Death what swept medieval Europe, could take hold after it reached the island's capital, Antananarivo. So far 47 people have died of the disease and the WHO says there is now a "risk of rapid spread". There have been some cases of human to human infection.

Plague in Madagascar: fears of 'rapid spread' in capital city

2. HONG KONG STUDENT LEADERS HELD

Hong Kong student protest leaders Joshua Wong and Lester Shum were among those arrested as the authorities moved in to clear pro-democracy camps in the city. More than 100 people were held as bailiffs supported by police in riot gear, and what appeared to be groups of civilians in 'I Love HK' T-shirts, dismantled the camp in Mong Kok.

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Hong Kong: police adopt tough tactics as protests escalate

3. USA: FERGUSON PROTESTS SPREAD

Demonstrations against the decision not to charge a policeman over the killing of Michael Brown have spread across the US. The national demonstrations were largely peaceful. In Ferguson, which was scene of major unrest earlier this week, 2,200 National Guard troops were deployed. Meanwhile, Darren Wilson, the officer who shot Brown, says he has a "clean conscience".

What are 'sound cannons' and why are police using them in Ferguson?

4. CHARITY FACES INTERNAL BLAIR REVOLT

Save the Children is facing an uprising from staff after it presented Tony Blair with a "global legacy award". Almost 200 staff members, including senior figures, have signed an internal letter arguing that Blair's prize should be withdrawn, so as not to endanger the charity's "credibility globally". The letter argues that awarding it to Blair is "inappropriate" due to the Iraq war.

5. FACEBOOK RIGBY CRITICISM 'UNFAIR'

The former director of global counter-terrorism at MI6 has said it is "unfair" to expect social media companies such as Facebook to monitor all content for terror-related messages and alert security services. Richard Barrett was speaking after MPs and the family of murdered soldier Lee Rigby said Facebook could have done more to prevented his death.

Lee Rigby killer sues prison service over lost teeth

6. CHILDREN'S HOME BOSS GUILTY OF ABUSE

A former children's home boss from Wrexham has been found guilty of 26 charges of sexual abuse. John Allen, denied 40 counts of abuse against 19 boys and one girl over four decades. The jury began its deliberations a week ago and Allen has been found not guilty of two charges. The jury is still deliberating on 12 other charges.

7. JEREMY HUNT'S A&E ADMISSION

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has admitted taking his children to A&E to avoid having to wait to see a GP. "I took my own children to an A&E department at the weekend precisely because I did not want to wait until later on to take them to see a GP," he told the Commons. His revelation came as the chancellor was urged to bail out the health service in the face of a cash crisis.

8. CONCERNS OVER ANTI-TERROR LAWS

The new counter-terrorism bill, to be published by Home Secretary Teresa May today, has been condemned as a threat to "open society" amid concerns about efforts to prevent British jihadists returning from Syria and Iraq. The government's independent reviewer of the bill, David Anderson QC, said it smacked of an "announcement waiting for a policy".

New anti-terror powers 'threaten civil liberties'

9. RAQQA: MANY DEAD AFTER SYRIA AIR STRIKES

Almost 100 people have been killed in Syrian government air raids on the city of Raqqa, the "capital" of Islamic State's self-proclaimed caliphate in the region. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights more than 50 civilians were killed in the raids, with many dozens more injured. The city has also been targeted by US-led air strikes.

10. HOT TICKET: ADAMS ORATORIO ON STAGE

The ENO's stage production of John Adams's opera/oratorio The Gospel According to the Other Mary has opened at the Coliseum, London. The Resurrection tale is told from the perspective Mary Magdalene with soloists, chorus and dance. "Fabulously intense," says The Guardian. Until 5 December.

The Gospel According to the Other Mary – opera reviews