The News Matrix: Saturday 22 March 2014

NCA officers charged with data offences

Two National Crime Agency officers have been suspended and charged with data protection offences after an investigation into criminals in Essex, i can disclose. The suspension of Sheila Roberts and Brian Adair embroils the agency - dubbed Britain’s FBI – in its first controversy. MORE

Terry’s father not guilty of racist attack

Football star John Terry’s father expressed relief yesterday after an Old Bailey jury cleared him of a racist attack on an Asian man. Ted Terry, 59, was accused of racially abusing Amarjit Talafair before headbutting him outside a City of London pub on 22 March last year.

Still no sign of missing aircraft

Despite clear weather and visibility of more than six miles, spotter planes flying low over a remote patch of the southern Indian Ocean failed to find any sign yesterday of the Malaysian Airlines passenger jet which has been missing for the past two weeks. MORE

Shot in neck soldier receives top award

Lance Corporal Simon Moloney, 23, who continued his duties after being shot in the neck in Afghanistan, has been awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. The soldier, (left) from St Albans, in Hertfordshire, was one of 117 service personnel to receive military honours yesterday.

Twitter blocked as PM takes revenge

Access to Twitter was blocked after the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, threatened to “rip out the roots” of the social network, where links to recordings that appear to incriminate him and other officials in corruption have been shared. MORE

London doctor charged with FGM

A London doctor is the first person to be prosecuted over female genital mutilation. Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena, 31, is accused of an offence against a woman who had given birth at the Whittington Hospital. A second man has been charged with encouraging FGM. MORE

Scottish split would leave UK to Tories

Independence for Scotland would “guarantee” permanent Conservative governments for the rest of the UK, Margaret Curran, the shadow Scottish Secretary, has warned. There is currently only one Scottish Conservative MP – while Labour has 41.

Meningitis B vaccine ‘ready this summer’

Immunisation against meningitis B could be given to newborn babies as early as the end of the summer, according to the company behind the vaccine. This would see Britain become the first country to provide universal coverage against the killer disease. MORE

Raped beauty queen begins crusade

When Israeli beauty queen Linor Abargil was crowned Miss World in 1998, only six weeks earlier she had been raped at knifepoint. Now her crusade against sexual violence is going global, thanks to an international tour and new documentary, Brave Miss World. MORE

Microsoft makes data policy change

Technology giant Microsoft has confirmed changes in its data policy after it admitted scanning the email of an internet blogger to gather evidence about possible leaks earlier this week. It accessed the man’s Hotmail account, which Microsoft owns and operates.

Man charged over McConville murder

A veteran republican has been charged in connection with the IRA murder more than 40 years ago of Belfast mother of 10 Jean McConville. Ivor Bell, 77, is due to appear in court in Belfast tomorrow accused of aiding and abetting in the murder as well as membership of the IRA.

Gym ‘told woman to put on more clothes’

A woman in the San Francisco Bay Area claims she was told by staff to put on more clothing because her toned body was intimidating others at a local gym. Tiffany Austin says that a Planet Fitness employee asked her to put on more clothes following a number of complaints.

Starbucks to sell wine and beer

After testing alcohol sales in a few stores, coffeehouse giant Starbucks announced it will sell wine and beer in sites across the US. Other additions include new food offerings such as bacon-wrapped dates. A spokesman said the firm would “remain predominantly a coffee store”.

Scots lead the way in retail rewards

Britons save nearly £750 a year by taking advantage of rewards points, vouchers and special offers. People living in Scotland are the savviest when it comes to special deals, saving £1,019 a year, compared with the average of £742, according to a survey for American Express.

Woman torches car in McFlurry row

A woman set fire to a man’s car in Florida after he refused to buy her a McDonald’s McFlurry. Witnesses claim the argument escalated until the woman poured gasoline all over the car, set fire to it with a match and then fled the scene. An investigation is ongoing.

Kate Bush stages surprise comeback

Kate Bush is to return to the stage for the first time in 35 years. The 55-year-old singer announced yesterday she will play 15 concerts at London’s Hammersmith Apollo in August and September. Her website went down after the news broke, as fans rushed for details. MORE