The News Matrix: Tuesday 26 March 2013

Suspect 'had never heard of Joss Stone'

One of the two men accused of plotting to kill the singer Joss Stone said he thought he was "just going on a day out" on the morning the pair was arrested in Devon, a few miles from her home. Kevin Liverpool, 35, denied even having heard of Stone before the case against him started.

TV does not make children hyperactive

Allowing children to watch television for three or more hours every day won't put them at a greater risk of hyperactivity or emotional problems, a study has found. But researchers warned that there was an increase in the risk of obesity or impaired language development for those who watch too much TV. MORE

Gay-rights court cases to begin

The US Supreme Court begins two days of hearings today on a pair of cases that have the potential to slice through the often emotional political debate on gay rights, particularly as pertaining to marriage, and dramatically expand legal protections for gays and lesbians. MORE

Little girl's miracle escape after crash

A nine-year-old girl crawled out of the mangled wreckage of her father's truck, leaving behind his dead body, climbed out of a canyon and walked about a mile in the middle of the night to find help after surviving a crash in Acton, Southern California. The girl, Celia Renteria, suffered only minor injuries.

Homeless man able to ring the changes

A homeless man who turned down $4,000 for a ring he found in his cup so he could give it back to the lady who accidentally gave it to him, has been able to move into his own house and be reunited with his family following a TV appearance and national campaign to pay him back. MORE

Hero grabbed great white shark's tail

An Australian has earned a bravery award for grabbing a 12ft (3.7m) great white shark by the tail as it mauled a snorkeller. Trevor Burns said he clung to the tail for several seconds despite its violent thrashing before the shark released its victim, 19-year-old tour guide Elysa Frankcom. Ms Frankcom has largely recovered.

Bristol and Glasgow up for green award

Bristol and Glasgow are among four cities chosen as finalists for the title of European Green Capital 2015. They join Brussels and Slovenia's Ljubljana in bidding for an annual award which goes to the EU city deemed to be "in the vanguard of environmentally friendly urban living".

Knox awaits Italian decision on acquittal

Amanda Knox was waiting anxiously in Seattle last night to hear if she will face trial again as Italy's top criminal court considered whether to overturn her acquittal for the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, in Italy.

UK to withdraw 15,000 troops

The withdrawal of 15,000 British troops from Germany could have a disastrous impact on the local economy. Under current plans, 11,000 troops based in Germany will return home by 2016, with the rest returning by 2019. A shopkeeper in Bergen said it could be "the most severe upheaval for us since the Second World War". MORE

Elite unis' favour private pupils

State school pupils and students in ethnic minority groups need higher A-level results than their private school counterparts to get into the UK's best universities, a study of 49,000 candidates who applied to Russell Group universities has shown. MORE