The News Matrix: Tuesday 6 May 2014

Self-employed are victims of recession

More than a quarter of people classed as self-employed are hidden victims of the recession, according to a report. Since the start of recession five years ago, the number of self-employed has risen by 650,000 to 4.5 million, but the average weekly income of someone in self-employment is 20 per cent less than in 2008, The Resolution Foundation think tank has found.

Review after ‘skull cracker’ absconds

A bank robber dubbed “the skull cracker” remained on the run last night, after temporarily being allowed out of prison on short-term release. Michael Wheatley failed to return to Standford Hill open prison on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent where he is serving 13 life sentences.

US ‘concerned’ by violence in Odessa

The White House says it’s “extremely concerned” by the deteriorating situation in the southern port of Odessa, following dozens of deaths. The warning came as violence flared again in the east of the country with fierce fighting in the city of Slovyansk.

Children’s choir hit by stomach bug

Eleven members of a children’s choir were taken to hospital suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting after arriving back in the UK from South Africa. Medical staff checked 60 members of the Only Kids Aloud choir from Wales after they arrived at Heathrow Airport.

Militant Malema to increase vote share

The party of Julius Malema looks set to win up to 40 seats in national elections, for which voting is tomorrow. Mr Malema, “commander-in-chief” of the Economic Freedom Fighters, wants to nationalise the mining industry and confiscate most white-owned farms.

Ethnic minorities to comprise fifth of UK

Britain’s five largest ethnic minorities are growing so fast that by 2050 they could be more than a fifth of the total population, a new report says today. The authors have argued that politicians should stop treating ethnic minorities as one homogeneous group.

Adams denies threat to McConville’s son

Gerry Adams has denied threatening Michael McConville if he released the names of those believed to be responsible for his mother Jean’s murder. It is alleged Mr Adams said: “I hope you are ready for the backlash.”

Cancer fundraiser hits back at critic

Cancer fundraiser Stephen Sutton has hit back at a Twitter user who said he felt “duped” the teenager was out of hospital. Stephen, who has raised almost £3.2m for the Teenage Cancer Trust, informed the Twitter “troll” his illness was still incurable despite his discharge from hospital