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The News Matrix: Saturday 10 May 2014

 

Friday 09 May 2014 22:46 BST
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Eight charged over child slavery ring

Eight people have been charged following an investigation into an alleged child sex slavery ring. Raids were carried out probing a network suspected of sexually exploiting young girls. They appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court in Kent charged with 36 offences.

Friend of Rigby killer ‘spread hate’

A friend of one of Fusilier Lee Rigby’s murderers spread al-Qa’ida propaganda online, a court has heard. Ibrahim Hassan, 28, of Carr Road in Walthamstow, was arrested after an interview on Newsnight in which he claimed Michael Adebolajo had been offered a job by MI5.

Republicans bid to weaken Tea Party

The Republican Party leadership was set last night to push through strict new rules slashing the number of televised primary debates for the 2016 presidential race as part of a wider and increasingly blatant strategy to weaken the sway in its ranks of the Tea Party, which is seeing its popularity fade.

Savers losing £4.3bn in weak accounts

Savers are losing an estimated £4.3bn a year in total from having money languishing in poor-paying accounts, research from Which? has found. The consumer group has launched a new campaign pressing banks and building societies to “scrap the savings trap”.

Rail officials to testify on fatal crash

A judge investigating the train crash that killed 79 people last year has recalled 22 rail infrastructure officials to testify as official suspects. Judge Luis Alaez said people who held positions of responsibility within the rail administrator Adif should answer questions.

Police use tear gas on protesters

Police have used tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of anti-government protesters days after the country’s Prime Minister was ousted by a court decision. The protest leader said he would give the government three days to resign before his supporters forced it out.

Dating show hopeful killed wife and lover

A man on a Turkish TV dating show shocked the audience by revealing he had murdered his former wife and a former lover. Sefer Calinak, 62, said he had served prison sentences for each of the murders, adding that he killed his first wife because he was “irritated” by her behaviour.

Miliband ‘confident’ for 2015 election

The Labour leader Ed Miliband said he had a “great sense of confidence” about next year’s general election despite recent polls showing the Conservatives closing the gap on the Opposition. He made the remarks in Newcastle campaigning ahead of local and European elections.

Oliver’s butcher shop forced to close

Jamie Oliver’s butcher shop was forced to close temporarily after health inspectors found mouse droppings and mouldy carcasses. Barbecoa, in the City of London, which supplies meat to the expensive upstairs restaurant, closed its doors for 24 hours.

Balls to lose driving licence after bump

Ed Balls faces losing his driving licence after confirming that he will not fight prosecution for failing to stop after colliding with another car. The shadow Chancellor expects to be charged after the incident which took place in Morley, West Yorkshire, last month.

Putin marks Soviet World War II victory

President Vladimir Putin flew into Crimea, marking the Soviet victory in World War Two and proclaiming the success of the peninsula’s seizure from a Ukraine that Russia says has been taken over by fascists. The head of Nato condemned Mr Putin’s visit.

Security warned hours before raid

Nigerian security forces were given warning hours before the raid that led to the kidnapping of more than 240 school girls, Amnesty International said yesterday. It accused the Nigerian authorities of “gross dereliction of duty”, claiming the security forces knew of the raid almost four hours before it took place.

Coalition row over free school meals

A coalition row has broken out over the Liberal Democrats’ policy of providing free school meals for all infant school pupils. Nick Clegg has been accused of “lying” over how the policy was funded. Lib Dems accused Michael Gove, Education Secretary, of trying to undermine the policy.

Parents fearing baa-d baby timing

Parents in China have been trying desperately to conceive, fertility specialists say, hoping to have a baby before the February 2015 start of the Year of the Sheep. Sheep are meek creatures, many believe, and Sheep babies will grow up to be followers rather than leaders.

P&G apologises for ‘neo-Nazi’ packaging

Procter & Gamble has apologised for “any false connotations” after unintentionally placing a neo-Nazi code on Ariel laundry detergent packets. The number 88 is used to skirt a ban on the use of Nazi slogans: H is the eighth letter of the alphabet, so 88 represents the phrase “Heil Hitler”.

William: I hope George likes diving

The Duke of Cambridge has said he hopes Prince George will take up scuba diving, as he became president of the activity’s governing body. William took the helm of the British Sub-Aqua Club (Bsac) and said he would like to see George one day enjoy the “wonders” of the activity.

Cumberbatch to sniff out floral winners

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch is turning gardening guru to review displays at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The actor is teaming up with his mother, actress Wanda Ventham, as part of a BBC series called Mum and Me, featuring celebrities such as Darcey Bussell and Julian Clary.

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