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The News Matrix: Monday 23 March 2015

 

Monday 23 March 2015 01:00 GMT
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Drivers ‘will avoid new exit checks’

Cross-channel train operator Eurotunnel has claimed that most drivers will avoid the new exit checks being introduced at UK borders from next month. The company has urged the Government to look at “smarter ways” of operating the checks.

SNP to ‘move Labour in different direction’

Former SNP leader Alex Salmond has said the party would use its position in a future minority Labour government to move Ed Miliband’s party “in a different direction”. Mr Salmond, who is seeking election as a Westminster MP on May 7, declared: “If you hold the balance, then you hold the power.”

FN makes gains in local elections

Exit polls last night showed the French far right had made major gains in local elections, but Marine Le Pen’s bid for a “de-demonised” Front National was still beaten into third place by the centre-right, who topped the poll, and the Socialists. The resultcould give the FN a real presence across local politics.

Tropical diseases ‘could reach UK’

Health experts have warned deadly tropical diseases could become widespread in the UK as climate change encourages mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects to migrate north. Higher temperatures and increased rainfall predicted for the UK could provide the mosquito with “ideal conditions”.

Airport attacker had bag of explosives

A machete-wielding attacker who died hours after being shot by a sheriff’s deputy who stopped his rampage at New Orleans’ International Airport had a bag loaded with Molotov cocktails, authorities say. Richard White, 63, was shot on Friday night as he chased an unarmed worker.

Former leader’s son dies in car accident

An associate of Ukraine’s deposed president said the ex-leader’s son died in an accident when a vehicle plunged through ice on Lake Baikal in Russia. Nestor Shufrycah, a deputy in Ukraine’s parliament, said yesterday 33-year-old Viktor Yanukovych – the same name as his father – was driving at the time.

Campaign group’s visit stopped by MoJ

The Ministry of Justice has told security company G4S to retract an invitation to a prison campaign group to tour two jails. The group suggested the reason for the ban was that the Howard League for Penal Reform had previously criticised the privatisation of prison work.

More than 20% of English cannot swim

More than nine million adults in England are unable to swim, a survey has revealed. An Amateur Swimming Association report shows 20 per cent of men and 22 per cent of women aged over 14 in England cannot swim. The report calls on policy makers to ensure swimming is accessible to all.

Artist Hans Erni dies aged 106

Swiss artist Hans Erni, whose prolific work ranged from tiny postage stamps to enormous frescoes, has died, his daughter said yesterday. He was 106. Mr Erni produced hundreds of paintings, sculptures, lithographs, engravings, etchings and ceramics.

Illegal levels of arsenic in wine

Winemakers are facing a lawsuit after “very high levels of arsenic” were found in wine. More than 1,300 bottles were tested and almost a quarter had higher levels of arsenic than would be permitted in water, some five times higher than the limit.

Starbucks draws a line on ‘race’ coffees

Starbucks baristas will no longer write “Race Together” on customers’ cups, ending a component of the company’s diversity and racial inequality campaign that had sparked widespread criticism.

Paraplegic pilot on North Pole odyssey

Paraplegic Dave Sykes has embarked on a solo 5,000-mile flight to the North Pole in his microlight. Mr Sykes will endure temperatures as low as -40C on the month-long journey.

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