The News Matrix: Saturday 25 May 2013

 

Friday 24 May 2013 21:47 BST
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Nine-year-old girl tells of trial ordeal

A girl who testified in court about being sexually abused by her father has said an intense cross-examination left her so traumatised that the case had to be abandoned. The girl was nine-years-old at the time. Now 12, she said: “It was scary. They said I was ‘clearly lying’.” MORE

Nasa moves a step closer to warp speed

Nasa has been examining a prototype spacecraft engine that could power an audacious mission to lasso an asteroid and tow it closer to Earth for astronauts to explore. The experimental engine relies on ion propulsion instead of conventional chemical rocket fuel.

Granta rocked by resignations at top

Three high-profile staff have quit the highbrow literary magazine Granta. Its editor, John Freeman, left after a botched launch party for the Granta “Best Young British Novelists” list, and deputy editor Ellah Allfrey and Granta books publisher Philip Gwyn Jones followed. MORE

Red Cross warns of Europe’s social crisis

The head of the Red Cross has said that rising unemployment in Europe could cause greater “social exclusion, tensions, uneasiness and unrest”. Bekele Geleta said the number of people across the continent receiving food aid from his organisation has nearly doubled since 2009. MORE

Judges say inquiries are legally flawed

Senior judges have told the Government it needs to reassess its response to claims that British troops abused and murdered Iraqis. They said the Iraq Historic Allegations Team was failing to meet the UK’s obligations to investigate suspicious deaths involving the state. MORE

Strong showing for Brits in TV awards

Homeland star Damian Lewis, left, Sienna Miller and Imelda Staunton are among the British actors nominated for the US Critics’ Choice TV Awards. Downton Abbey is nominated for Best Drama, while Lewis will fend off competition from fellow Britons Andrew Lincoln and Matthew Rhys.

Four aid workers injured by grenade

Four staff at an aid organisation have been injured in an attack on a guest house in the capital, Kabul. The International Organisation for Migration said one woman was seriously burnt by a grenade thrown into the compound yesterday, after militants took over the building.

Prison van carrying Cregan in collision

For the second time in eight days, a prison van carrying Dale Cregan, the killer of police constables Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, was in a collision with another prison van yesterday. Four prison officers were taken to hospital with minor injuries, Greater Manchester Police said.

Far-right group face anti-gay demo ban

The French government is taking steps to ban a far-right movement believed to be planning violence at a demonstration against gay marriage in Paris tomorrow. Printemps Français are linked to a xenophobic writer who committed suicide at Notre Dame cathedral on Tuesday.

First Apple set to sell for record £250,000

The computer is 37 years old, has a keyboard set in wood and it is being offered for sale along with a batch of ancient typewriters. Yet the pioneering Apple-1 could fetch well in excess of £250,000 when it is put up for auction in Germany today, a record for such a machine.

Bird flu virus can be transmitted by air

The new H7N9 bird flu virus can be transmitted between mammals not only via direct contact but also in airborne droplets, and may be capable of spreading from person to person, researchers have found.

Islamists shot dead

French special forces and Niger troops have shot dead the last two Islamists involved in a twin attack on a military base and a French uranium mine in Niger. The mastermind of January’s mass hostage-taking in Algeria, Mokhtar Belmokhtar, has claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack.

Tiger mauls zoo worker in enclosure

A tiger has seriously injured a zoo worker in Cumbria. The 24-year-old woman was in the big cat’s enclosure when she was mauled at South Lakes Wild Animal Park in Dalton-in-Furness. Police said: “The tiger is securely locked in its enclosure and there is no further risk to the public.”

Songs from the shows go on show

Musical lovers will be able to see free performances of songs from Jersey Boys and Les Misérables next month at West End Live, an annual festival, to be staged in Trafalgar Square on 22 and 23 June. From Here To Eternity, a new musical from Sir Tim Rice, will be previewed at the event.

First black player in England shirt named

Pub quiz types, grab a pen! The first black footballer to play for England was Benjamin Odeje in 1971, according to a BBC investigation. Odeje, from south-east London, was called up by England schoolboys. He has unseated Laurie Cunningham, who made his Endland debut in 1977.

The Devil makes work for exorcists

The Catholic archdiocese in Madrid has said it needs more exorcists to help some of its faithful cope with the Devil. Madrid has only one exorcist priest and it is considering a plan to train more, an archdiocese spokeswoman said. “The Devil exists. That’s a fact,” she added.

Cabinet flies the flag for Pride

A rainbow flag will fly above the Cabinet Office during this summer’s Pride Week. Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office Minister, said the flag would fly from 23 to 30 June, arguing that there should be greater public acceptance of same-sex relationships.

Psy interloper crashes Cannes

A man pretending to be South Korean rapper Psy talked his way into parties at the Cannes film festival and posed with fans – until he was spotted by the manager of the real Psy, below, who took a photo and sent it to the singer, pictured. The imposter posed with Skyfall’s Naomie Harris. MORE

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