The News Matrix: Friday 3 April 2015

Petition to stop OAP ex-PoW’s eviction

A petition to stop Britain’s oldest surviving former prisoner of war being forced from his home now has more than 140,000 signatures. Robert Clark, 96, says he will be forced into a care home if Brent Council refuses to pay more towards his live-in carer’s costs.

Older staff pass the vocabulary test

Older staff have a better vocabulary and general knowledge than their younger colleagues. Researchers who analysed thousands of tests found young people had better reasoning skills. Dr Stephan Dilchert said: “Organisations should be cautious when testing inductive reasoning.”

Women arrested over ‘bomb plot’

Two New York women have been arrested in an alleged conspiracy to build a bomb and wage a “terrorist attack” in the US. Noelle Velentzas, 28, and Asia Siddiqui, 31, devised a plot to target police, government or military targets based on “violent jihadist beliefs”, according to Brooklyn District Court.

Easter road and rail misery forecast

Heavy traffic jams and lengthy rail delays will affect many of the millions of Britons setting off on an Easter getaway today. The West Coast Main Line will be badly affected, due to engineering work in the Watford area, while roads are expected to have 16 million cars clogging up the network.

Pontiff marks Maundy Thursday

Pope Francis marked Maundy Thursday yesterday by washing the feet of 12 inmates in a Roman prison. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, when it is said that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. The inmates included six men from Rebibbia prison and six women from a nearby detention centre.

Boy Scout chapter defies anti-gay policy

The Boy Scouts’ New York chapter said yesterday that it has gone against the scouting organisation’s national ban on openly gay adult members by hiring the nation’s first openly gay Eagle Scout as an employee. The Boy Scouts’ Greater New York Councils said they have hired Pascal Tessier, an 18-year-old.

Physicists reboot Cern collider

Scientists expect to restart the world’s biggest atom smasher this weekend, potentially opening up a new era in physics. Final preparations are being made to send two beams of high-energy particles racing through the 27km of circular underground tunnels that form the Large Hadron Collider.

Breakthrough made on Iran nuclear deal

After long negotiations, the US, Iran and five other states announced a breakthrough agreement yesterday to limit Iran’s nuclear programme with the aim of reaching a final settlement this summer. The framework follows a week of diplomacy that capped 18 months of negotiations.

Police raid surgery after four deaths

Police have raided a doctors’ surgery following “concerns” about the deaths of four patients. Ten officers from Guernsey Police served search warrants at the Eagle Medical Practice and a residential address on Alderney after the force was alerted by the Health and Social Services Department.

Western White House on sale for £50m

The seaside California estate dubbed the western White House when it was owned by Richard Nixon is for sale at $75m (£50.6m). President Nixon bought the five-acre spread on a secluded coastal bluff in 1969, and the San Clemente property is being sold by Gavin Herbert, who has owned it for 35 years.

Thunderbirds are go on the Thames

Thunderbirds were go yesterday when one of the show’s famous vehicles hit the Thames. The Thunderbird 4 model, which measures 15ft, took a team of TV prop builders more than six weeks to build. It was winched on to the river in east London to mark the return of the show to TV.

Police raid surgery after four deaths

Police have raided a doctors’ surgery following “concerns” about the deaths of four patients. Ten officers from Guernsey Police served search warrants at the Eagle Medical Practice and a residential address on Alderney after the force was alerted by the Health and Social Services Department.