The News Matrix: Tuesday 15 July 2014

Hitman jailed for killing gang boss

A hitman has been jailed for 38 years for murdering a gangland boss and then shooting his accomplice last year. Jamie Marsh-Smith, 23, was hired to kill Zafer Eren, of the Tottenham Turks gang, by the Hackney Turks. Days later, Marsh-Smith tried to kill his getaway driver.

70% of Britons want change in the law

Almost three-quarters of Britons support a change in the law on the right to die, an opinion poll has found ahead of the first parliamentary test for legislation. The ComRes poll for ITV’s Tonight programme found that 70 per cent would support measures proposed in the Assisted Dying Bill being promoted by the former Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer of Thoroton.

Malala calls for ‘sisters’ to be freed

The Pakistani teen who survived a Taliban assassination attempt urged Islamic extremists to free more than 200 schoolgirls who were kidnapped in Nigeria, calling them her “sisters”. Malala Yousafzai had a meeting with Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday. MORE

Playing games may delay Alzheimer’s

Playing games or doing puzzles may help stave off Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests. The research, presented to the Alzheimer’s Association conference in Copenhagen, found that these kinds of brain-stimulating activities could help to preserve cognitive functions.

Soldier released by Taliban gets desk job

The US Army has given Sgt Bowe Bergdahl, released in May after being taken captive by Taliban militants in 2009, a desk job, ending the formal phase of his transition from prisoner to soldier. Army investigators are to question him about his disappearance that led to his captivity. MORE

Tory: Yes vote will harm young Scots

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, will today argue that a Yes vote in the independence referendum would result in “selling young Scots short”.

Mass surveillance challenged in courts

Campaigners have challenged the Government in open court over its alleged mass surveillance of private communications. The case was prompted by revelations from the US intelligence analyst turned whistleblower Edward Snowden last year. MORE

UK falling behind in carbon reduction

The UK is slipping behind on its carbon reduction plan and will fail to meet its target of reducing carbon emissions by 80 per cent from 1990 levels by 2050, after the Government scrapped a successful subsidised home insulation programme, a new report has warned. MORE

Workers ‘are still being blacklisted’

Workers are still being blacklisted for union activities, arguably being treated as “modern-day slaves”, MPs have heard. The Scottish Affairs Select Committee was told that the practice was continuing, despite the discovery of a secret list containing 3,200 names five years ago.

Pensioner takes on 75 triathlons

A pensioner taking part in 75 mini triathlons aims to finish the final one on her 75th birthday next month. Daphne Belt, from Littlehampton in West Sussex, is raising money for Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice. She swims 1,000m, cycles 15km and runs 3km along the seafront each day.

New addition to ‘BBC Breakfast’ line-up

Naga Munchetty has been confirmed as a co-host alongside Charlie Stayt on the BBC Breakfast sofa. She has already appeared regularly on the show which underwent a major change when Susanna Reid left to join ITV’s Good Morning Britain in March. Munchetty will present with Stayt from Thursday to Saturday.

Monk’s cremation decision reversed

Nepal has reversed a decision allowing Shamar Rinpoche, also known as the Shamarpa, a monk prominent in Tibetan Buddhism, to be cremated on its soil after reports of pressure from China over the decision. MORE

Pants prank pays off as donor is found

A bone marrow donor has been found for eight-year-old Hollie Clark from Cardiff, the focus of a social media craze in which celebrities posed for selfies with pants on their heads to encourage people to register as donors.