The News Matrix: Thursday 27 January 2011

Coalition to curb control orders

Home Secretary Theresa May yesterday outlined plans to overhaul controversial control orders, including scaling back the number of stop-and-searches by police and reducing the maximum period that suspects can be questioned without charge from 28 days to 14. MORE

Georgian jibe over airport suicide bomb

The president of Georgia has said the suicide bombing at a Moscow airport was payback for Russia's policies in the North Caucasus region. Mikheil Saakashvili and the Russian leadership have exchanged regular insults since the 2008 war between the countries. MORE

Tory leaders most trusted on economy

David Cameron and George Osborne are trusted to see Britain through its economic problems more than Ed Miliband and Ed Balls, according to a survey by ComRes. People also believe the poor will be most affected by spending cuts.

Disgraced Sheridan jailed for three years

Former MSP Tommy Sheridan was jailed for three years yesterday for committing perjury during his 2006 defamation action against the News of the World. Mr Sheridan announced his intention to appeal. He is likely to serve 18 months or less before he is released. MORE

Half of all speed cameras do not work

Consumer watchdog Which? found the chances of being caught speeding vary significantly, as more than half of speed cameras in England and Wales don't work. Sussex's 60 were all operational, compared with just 10 per cent of Lancashire's.

Protests against cuts to BBC World Service

Protests took place outside BBC World Service's HQ at Bush House yesterday in response to the cutting of 650 posts and five language services. Director Peter Horrocks told staff that a 16 per cent reduction in Foreign Office funding would mean 30 million people will lose the service. MORE

'The Evil Dead' to be reincarnated

Spider-Man director Sam Raimi will helm a remake of the video nasty The Evil Dead. He wants the 1981 low-budget horror – which features a "tree-rape" – to be remade for a full cinematic experience.

Financial crisis report to lay blame

Wall Street is nervously awaiting the findings of Barack Obama's commission to investigate the financial crisis that crippled most of the world's economies. Bankers, regulators and politicians, as well as consumers, are all expected to be blamed. MORE

GM mosquitoes used to fight dengue fever

A genetically modified male mosquito carrying an artificial fragment of DNA designed to curb the insect's reproduction has been released for the first time in south-east Asia to try to combat deadly dengue fever. Six thousand were released to tackle the disease that affects up to 100 million people worldwide. MORE

Ex-public schoolgirl jailed for gay killing

A former public schoolgirl who stamped on a gay civil servant during a homophobic attack has been jailed for seven years for his manslaughter. Ruby Thomas, 19, hurled abuse at 62-year-old Ian Baynham during the drink-fuelled assault in London's Trafalgar Square in 2009. MORE

Insomniacs more likely to feel low

Poor sleepers are four times more likely to have relationship problems and three times more likely to be unable to concentrate or feel low as those who get enough rest. A Mental Health Foundation report found that 37 per cent of people surveyed had some form of insomnia.

Do not pass Go, do not collect food

A new Polish board game reminiscent of Monopoly has been launched to help young Poles understand the hardships of life under communism. Players try to buy basic goods but food supplies run out before they reach the counter. If a bed is needed, they are offered stools instead.

Florida keys: piano appears in the sea

A grand piano has appeared on a sandbar in Miami's Biscayne Bay, 200m from the shore. The piano is at the highest spot on the sandbar and is out of the water during high tide. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said unless it becomes a hazard it will be left there.

Texting makes the heart grow fonder

Nearly four out of five women and three out of five men say social networking tools make new couples jump into bed faster, according to a survey by Shape and Men's Fitness magazines. But only 38 per cent of women say they're speaking from their own experience.

Pope lauds life of Joan of Arc

Pope Benedict XVI has said public officials should model themselves on Joan of Arc, the French saint who was tried for heresy and burned at the stake for her convictions. The Pope spoke of Saint Joan in his weekly general audience, in which he has been promoting key women in the church's history.