Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 2 Sep 2016

1. Senior doctors condemn five-day strike plans

In a surprise intervention in the junior doctors' pay dispute, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has voiced senior doctors' strong opposition to the proposed series of five-day strikes, saying they could cause "real problems for patients, the service and the profession". Junior doctors say new contracts are unfair and unsafe for patients.

Hunt to promise 25% rise in student doctor places

2. Melania Trump sues for $150m over 'escort' story

Melania Trump, the wife of Republican presidential candidate Donald, is suing the Daily Mail and a US blogger for $150m (£114m) over claims she was an escort in the 1990s. Both news sources have retracted the offending articles. Trump's lawyer, Charles Hader, said the reports were "outright lying".

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Melania Trump sues Daily Mail and blogger over escort 'lies'

3. Florida coast battered by Hurricane Hermine

Florida's Gulf coast is being battered by its first hurricane since 2005. Hurricane Hermine is a category one cyclone featuring a heavy storm surge. Locals have been urged to take precautions, with flooding and blackouts predicted in addition to the winds of up to 80mph and torrential rains.

4. Man in court over London police chase deaths

A man has appeared in court over the deaths of a boy and a woman in Penge, London, after they were hit by a stolen car being chased by police. Joshua Dobby, 23, has been charged with causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. Makayah McDermott, ten, and his aunt, Rosie Cooper, 34, died in the crash on Wednesday. Dobby was remanded in custody.

5. SpaceX explosion destroys Facebook satellite

Facebook's first satellite was destroyed in a rocket explosion on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral in Florida yesterday. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of the social network, said he was "deeply disappointed". The rocket, which was being test-fired ahead of a launch, was owned by SpaceX, PayPal founder Elon Musk's firm.

Elon Musk: New setback as SpaceX rocket goes up in flames

6. SNP holds 'away day' for independence talks

The Scottish National Party is holding an "away day" in Stirling to discuss why the 2014 independence referendum failed and plan the strategy for a second attempt. Leader Nicola Sturgeon is expected to announce the launch of a "nationwide listening exercise" intended to judge the public mood on the issue.

Scottish independence: Is IndyRef2 'dead' after election losses?

7. Lucas and Bartley elected co-leaders of Green Party

Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley have been elected co-leaders of the Green Party, taking over from Natalie Bennett. Lucas, who was also leader from 2008 to 2012, is the party's only MP, while Bartley is the work and pensions spokesman. Their job-sharing agreement showed the Greens are "not bound by tradition", they said.

8. Martial arts star Jackie Chan awarded honorary Oscar

Hong Kong martial arts legend Jackie Chan is to be given an honorary Academy Award for his "extraordinary achievements" in film. The 62-year-old actor is renowned for performing his own elaborate stunts. Honorary Oscars will also go to to British film editor Anne Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster and documentary-maker Frederick Wiseman.

9. Royal Marine charged with terror offences

A serving Royal Marine has appeared in court charged with terrorism offences. Ciaran Maxwell, 30, from Northern Ireland is accused of manufacturing explosives, making devices - including a rocket and mines - and storing them in barrels found buried in woods in England and Northern Ireland. He was arrested in Somerset last week after searches in Larne and Devon.

10. Briefing: What was the Black Death and how did it end?

The Black Death, also known as the Black Plague, was one of the most costly pandemics in human history, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 75 to 200 million people and peaking in Europe in the years 1346-53. Although there are many theories, no one has yet provided a definitive answer as to why the plague ended and although the disease is no longer a major health problem in Europe, it is still prevalent in some parts of the world.

What was the Black Death and when did it end?