The News Matrix: Thursday 5 December 2013

Hope for dementia drug breakthrough

The next five years could bring unprecedented breakthroughs in the hunt for a dementia drug, leading scientists believe. The news comes as the Alzheimer’s Society reveals a 22 per cent rise in the number of people living with dementia globally in three years – 44 million people worldwide have the disease, a figure predicted to rise to 76 million by 2030. MORE

Mandela is ‘not doing well’, says daughter

Nelson Mandela’s daughter, Makaziwe, said he is still fighting on but “is not doing well”, sparking renewed speculation about his health. The former President has been treated at home in Johannesburg since he left hospital in September following a lung infection. MORE

Flooding fear as tidal surge threatens

The biggest tidal surge in 30 years could strike the east coast of Britain today and last until Saturday as gale-force winds sweep across the North Sea. Extensive coastal flooding is feared. Anglesey and Merseyside could also suffer flooding from a tidal surge, forecasters said.

Ex-spy’s passport is cancelled

Australia has been accused of “unconscionable and unacceptable conduct” towards its tiny, impoverished neighbour, East Timor, after cancelling the passport of an ex-spy. The agent was preparing to testify about the alleged bugging by intelligence services of the East Timorese cabinet. MORE

Police officer sues Mitchell for libel

Andrew Mitchell is being sued for libel by the Downing Street police officer at the heart of the “Plebgate” row. The Police Federation said yesterday that PC Toby Rowland had issued a letter of claim for libel against the former Tory Chief Whip. MORE

Paul Walker died of ‘traumatic injuries’

The actor Paul Walker, known for the Fast & Furious films, died from “combined effects of traumatic and thermal injuries” in a car accident on Saturday, the Los Angeles County coroner said yesterday.

Convict jailed for life over 1981 murder

A convicted killer was jailed for life at Reading Crown Court for murdering and mutilating a girl of 17 in 1981. Advances in DNA analysis helped to convict Colin Campbell, 66, who killed Claire Woolterton near the River Thames at Windsor. He was already serving life for the murder of Deirdre Sainsbury, 29, in 1984.

20,000 people apply for 400 jobs at Ikea

An Ikea store in Spain received 20,000 applications for just 400 jobs, an unprecedented rush that crashed its computer servers and illustrated the desperation the country’s six million unemployed people face. Online applications received since Monday were for jobs in a shop to be opened next year outside Valencia.