The News Matrix: Wednesday 22 April 2015

Attacks on children drop by 18 per cent

Acts of violence against children dropped by 18 per cent in 2014 compared with the previous year. Cases of people being injured in serious violence fell by 10 per cent. “We are becoming a more empathetic society,” Professor Jonathan Shepherd, of Cardiff University, said.

Transgender woman ‘taunted in streets’

A 36-year-old transgender woman committed suicide after being taunted in the streets. Mikki Nicholson, from Carlisle, wanted to leave the city for Newcastle, hoping she would receive less abuse there. But she feared being homeless if she moved, an inquest heard yesterday.

Nobel laureates to try to tackle problem

Nine Nobel Prize winners in fields ranging from economics to medicine will try to come up with ideas this week to help fast-growing cities in Asia to cope with global warming. Organisers of the symposium in Hong Kong today, where the laureates will meet, said cities were key to tackling climate change.

Commission’s chief ‘is in good health’

The European Commission dismissed suggestions that its President, Jean-Claude Juncker, had health problems and was often absent from work. Confirming that the EU executive had fitted out a new office in Luxembourg, a spokesman said, “President Juncker is in perfect health”.

Iowa bird flu farm slaughter reduced

The number of chickens at an Iowa farm that will need to be slaughtered because of bird flu has dropped to 3.8 million. Sunrise Farms announced its 3.8 million laying hens will all need to be killed after a test confirmed the virus in the flock. That’s less than the 5.3 million officials had estimated on Monday.

Baghdadi steps down as Isis chief

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Isis leader, has reportedly relinquished control of his jihadist followers. Baghdadi, the “caliph” who formed the beginnings of Isis among al-Qaeda supporters in Iraq, was injured after an attack by the US-led coalition in Iraq near the Syrian border in March.

Forces to trial station DNA machines

Machines which remove the need for forensic experts and allow DNA samples to be analysed in police custody suites are being trialled by UK forces. Data will go directly to the national database but civil liberties groups have called for proper public consultation before implementation.

Roseanne reveals she is going blind

The US comic, actress and television star Roseanne Barr has revealed that she is suffering from glaucoma and macular degeneration and is slowly going blind. The 62-year-old star of the 1990s comedy show Roseanne and former US presidential candidate told the Daily Beast website that her vision “is closing now”.

Doctors charged with manslaughter

Doctors Nadeem Azeez, 52, and Errol Cornish, 67, have been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence after the death of Frances Cappuccini in Pembury Hospital in Tunbridge Wells in 2012. It was reported last night that a warrant had been issued for the arrest of Dr Azeez, who was believed to have left for Pakistan.

Kraft’s Mac & Cheese goes mellow yellow

Electric yellow? Dayglo orange? However you describe the colour of Kraft’s Macaroni & Cheese, it is about to fade. The company, having faced pressure from healthier competitors and an internet campaign, is stripping all artificial preservatives and synthetic colours from its most iconic item.

Biggest unknown popstar up for awards

Songwriter James Napier will compete against himself at next month’s 60th Ivor Novello awards as his songs “Stay With Me”, sung by Sam Smith, and “Rather Be”, performed by Clean Bandit, are both up for the Best Contemporary Song award. Napier has been in high demand by US artists.

Japan’s shoots bullet through speed record

Just days after its newest prototype train set a new world speed record of 590 kilometres per hour (367mph), Japan’s rail network set another yesterday when a magnetic levitation train, know as the “maglev”, clocked up a sustained 374mph for just over a mile on a stretch of test track near Mt Fuji.

Radcliffe to star in ‘Grand Theft’ drama

A new BBC2 drama about computer game Grand Theft Auto will star Daniel Radcliffe, best known for playing the lead in the Harry Potter films. Game Changer will be centred around the people behind the game. Radcliffe will play Sam Houser, the game’s creator. US actor Bill Paxton will also star.