The News Matrix: Friday 2 May 2014

North-west men hit by ailments younger

A man born in Liverpool or Manchester will live on average for just 56 years before developing a major life-limiting condition, research claims. Figures showed people born in the richest London boroughs and affluent parts of the South-east can expect up to 14 more years of life without a disability compared to those from the North-west of England. MORE

Peaches Geldof had heroin in her system

Heroin is likely to have played a role in the death of Peaches Geldof, who was found dead by her husband at their family home, an inquest has heard. A toxicology report revealed that the television presenter had the drug in her system when she died last month, aged 25. MORE

Separatists storm prosecutor’s office

Pro-Russian protesters stormed the prosecutor’s office in the separatist-held city of Donetsk yesterday, hurling rocks, firecrackers and tear-gas at riot police defending officials the rebels accused of working for Kiev which has been forced to reinstate military conscription. MORE

Plan to control rents comes under attack

Grant Shapps, the Conservative Party chairman, has criticised Labour proposals to help tenants by introducing rent controls. Mr Shapps called the plan a “short-term gimmick” and argued: “The only way to raise people’s living standards is to grow the economy.” MORE

Mayor on leave over new drug video

Toronto’s deputy mayor started running the city yesterday, a day after Mayor Rob Ford said he would take a leave of absence to seek treatment for an alcohol problem. Last week newspapers claimed they had seen a video showing Mr Ford allegedly using drugs. MORE

May Day protesters clash with police

Scores of people have been injured or detained across Istanbul during May Day clashes between riot police and demonstrators. The Istanbul governor’s office said 142 people were detained and 90 were wounded as activists tried to march toward the iconic Taksim Square. MORE

Panicked ferry passengers on video

Footage has emerged from the doomed South Korean Sewol ferry moments before it capsized, showing students panicking as the ship starts to list badly. A student asks: “Am I really going to die?”

Explosives found in occupied flats

A 47-year-old man has been arrested after a substantial haul of explosives was found in a block of flats in Belfast. A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said: “It beggars belief that quantities of high explosives could be stored in flats in which hundreds of people are living.”

DSK sues sex club over use of initials

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the disgraced former International Monetary Fund chief, is threatening to sue a Belgian sex club for using his initials – DSK. The Dodo Sex Klub was opened this week in Blaton, a Belgian town located on the border with France. MORE

Morecambe FC tops league of pies

A football club has a new addition for its trophy cabinet after netting the ultimate accolade at the British Pie Awards. A Bramley apple pie produced by Morecambe FC was named Supreme Champion 2014 at a ceremony in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire – the second time the club has won the award.

Weak ankles put ‘David’ at risk

Michelangelo’s statue of David risks collapsing under its 5.5-ton weight because of strain on the its “weak ankles”, researchers have warned. The sculpture is showing signs of micro-fractures in its legs, according to a report in La Repubblica, citing analysis by the Italian Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources.

Truly a speech to be over the Moon with…

University of Connecticut alumnus Rick Mastracchio will deliver this year’s graduation address to the school of engineering – despite the fact that on 10 May he will be orbiting the globe on the International Space Station. The 54-year-old astronaut will record his speech and beam it back via Nasa.

Saint given slithery celebration

Dozens of snakes draped around a statue of Saint Dominic were presented to thousands of spectators as part of a traditional May Day religious celebration in the Italian village of Cocullo in the Apennine Mountains yesterday. Legend has it that Saint Dominic rid the region of venomous snakes in the 11th century.