The News Matrix: Wednesday 26 June 2013

Council bans payday loans on public PCs

Cheshire East Council has banned payday loan websites from computers used by the public in libraries and other buildings. The council took the action on Monday to protect its 370,000 residents after reports of “irresponsible lending and harassment” to vulnerable people.

Socialists on course for landslide victory

With almost all votes counted, Albania’s Socialist opposition was on course for a landslide victory on Tuesday in a parliamentary election. But there was no word from defeated Prime Minister Sali Berisha, the country’s dominant political figure since the end of Stalinist rule in 1991.

RAF nurse passed over due to gender

The highest-ranking nurse in the Royal Air Force was sexually discriminated against by the Ministry of Defence, an employment tribunal heard yesterday. The tribunal found that Group Captain Wendy Williams was passed over in favour of a male doctor “because of her sex”. MORE

Mother gets life for killing two-year-old

A mother who abused and killed her two-year-old son has been sentenced to life in prison and told she will serve at least 18 years before being considered for parole. At Birmingham Crown Court, Mr Justice Spencer, said Rebecca Shuttleworth, 25, was cruel and manipulative and had subjected her son, Keanu Williams, to a lingering death.

Emir hands reins of power to his son

The Emir of Qatar formally handed power to his 33-year-old son yesterday, capping a carefully crafted transition that puts a new generation in charge of the Gulf nation’s vast energy wealth and rising political influence after the upheavals of the Arab Spring. MORE

Grizzly death advert proves to be a hit

An ad campaign that became a hit for its black-humoured list of reckless ways to die – such as “poke a stick at a grizzly bear” – has scooped a record number of industry prizes. The short, co-produced by Melbourne’s Metro Trains to teach people to be careful around trains, has notched up more than 50 million views on YouTube.

Police ban Empire State highwire walk

New York’s top police officer says Nik Wallenda – the daredevil who completed a walk over a gorge near the Grand Canyon on Sunday – won’t be allowed to walk between the Chrysler and Empire State buildings for his next stunt. NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly said it would be too dangerous.

Crusaders’ cesspit reveals worm woes

Medieval faeces discovered at a castle in Cyprus has revealed that the Crusaders suffered from a bad case of the worms. Researchers from the University of Cambridge tested latrine samples in the Saranda Kolones castle. They found two species of parasite eggs, the roundworm and the whipworm.

Lewinsky items for sale online

A collection of items linked to the investigation of White House intern Monica Lewinsky’s sexual encounters with then US President Bill Clinton is being auctioned online. Items include a signed letter from Mr Clinton to a former lover of Ms Lewinsky, photographs and cards from Ms Lewinsky, below, and clothing.