The News Matrix: Monday 23 April 2012

Global warming fear over Arctic gas find

Scientists are fearful a new source of methane discovered in the Arctic could worsen global warming. A team of researchers has discovered significant amounts of methane being released from the ocean into the atmosphere through cracks in the melting sea ice.  MORE

BBC to broadcast from abortion clinic

The BBC is a planning to broadcast a two-hour radio show to tell the stories of patients and staff in an abortion clinic in the UK. The BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Victoria Derbyshire will host an edition of her show from the as yet unnamed clinic next month. MORE

Regime plays cat and mouse with UN

The deployment of UN truce monitors brought a lull in shelling of the Syrian opposition stronghold of Hama for a second day yesterday while President Bashar Assad's troops kept up heavy attacks on other areas where observers were not present. MORE

Black graduates less likely to find jobs

Black graduates are 30 per cent less likely to be employed than white graduates after leaving university, says the Higher Education Statistics Authority. The news follows a report showing black graduates earn nine per cent less than white students for similar work within five years. MORE

CCTV released of suspected gunman

Police investigating the attempted murder of a wealthy Russian banker who was gunned down outside his executive flat in Canary Wharf, east London on 20 March, have released CCTV images, left, of the suspect.

Wal-Mart 'hushed up bribery' in Mexico

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, hushed up a vast bribery campaign that top executives of its Mexican subsidiary carried out to build stores across that country, according to reports. The New York Times reported that the company's management shut down an investigation into the corruption and notified neither US nor Mexican law-enforcement officials.

Union dismisses pay rates by region

A leading union will today dismiss George Osborne's plans to introduce variable public sector pay rates as an "unworkable, divisive nightmare". Unison claims regional pay rates which, if introduced, will hit workers including NHS staff, would "further entrench low pay" in some areas.

Crowds turn out to support church

The Russian Orthodox Church has held a day of prayer to defend itself against what it says is an attack by forces trying to erode its authority. Crowds gathered at Moscow's main cathedral after a rise in criticism of its relationship with the state.

Would you dare to wear Lycra outside?

More than half of women in Britain are too embarrassed about their bodies to exercise in public, a poll suggests. Nine out of 10 women over 30 have low self-esteem and poor body image, which forces many to exercise indoors or go running in the dark, says the mental health charity Mind. MORE

California drops its 'kangaroo report'

California lawmakers won't be briefed any longer on kangaroo harvests in Australia or a 1989 earthquake under a plan to scrap more than 700 "unnecessary, bureaucratic" reports required by state law. Governor Jerry Brown is fighting a huge and growing budget deficit. MORE

Car to keep over-65s on road for longer

Scientists have built an "emotionally intelligent" model for an electric car that aims to keep people over 65 on the roads for longer. The modified Peugeot iOn will monitor drivers' concentration, stress levels and driving habits.

Village tries to end bride shortage

A dating association is trying to slow a population drain from the country's beleaguered central villages. It is introducing bachelors to women bussed in to the village of Candeleda from Madrid with hopes of ending a bride shortage.