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The News Matrix: Tuesday 8 July 2014

 

Monday 07 July 2014 23:07 BST
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‘Lost generation’ may cost UK billions

A “lost generation” of more than eight million people could be unemployed or stuck in jobs they are overqualified for within a decade, the Local Government Association warns. It says under-used talent and unemployment would cause productivity to plunge by a quarter by 2022, costing the economy hundreds of billions of pounds. MORE

Four staff arrested at nursing home

Four staff at a Leicester nursing home have been arrested following claims residents were ill-treated. Inspectors sent in to Fosse Court uncovered several “serious issues”, according to the Care Quality Commission. The arrested staff, who have been bailed, are all women.

Hamas fires dozens of rockets into Israel

Hamas claimed responsibility for dozens of rockets having been fired into Israel last night as Israel called up reserve troops in anticipation of a possible escalation of hostilities in Gaza. Hamas had said it would avenge deaths of a number of its fighters. MORE

Returning jihadis ‘not a threat to UK’

The threat posed by Britons returning from fighting with Islamic extremists in Syria and Iraq has been overplayed by the Government and the media, a former intelligence chief has warned. But Sir Richard Dearlove said publicity could encourage their “radical fantasies”.

Pope Francis meets clergy abuse victims

Pope Francis begged forgiveness yesterday in his first meeting with Catholics sexually abused by members of the clergy. The Pope met six victims – two each from Ireland, Britain and Germany – at his Vatican residence to hear their accounts. MORE

New York to allow medical marijuana

Governor Andrew Cuomo said yesterday he had signed legislation making New York the 23rd state to allow medical marijuana. He called his approach, which forbids smoking the drug and includes strict limits, the “smartest” any state had taken so far.

Into orbit: first Scottish satellite

Two British spacecraft, including the first satellite made in Scotland, will launch into orbit today from a Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan. TechDemoSat-1 was built in Guildford by Surrey Satellite Technology, and UKube-1 was assembled at Clyde Space in Glasgow.

Amir Khan assault allegations dropped

Allegations of assault made against Amir Khan, the former world champion boxer, have been withdrawn, police have confirmed. The 27-year-old was arrested on suspicion of assault following an incident involving two youths in Bolton on Friday.

Who leaked Doctor Who?

Five scripts for the new series of Doctor Who have been leaked online, seven weeks ahead of broadcast. BBC Worldwide urged fans not to distribute the spoiler material and said it was investigating “a security issue around Doctor Who Series Eight where unfinished material has inadvertently been made public”.

Body to recognise all gay staff marriages

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced that the United Nations is recognising the gay marriages of all its staffers. Previously, the UN only recognised the unions of staffers who came from countries where gay marriage is legal, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said yesterday.

Rum Tum Tugger becomes a rapper

The musical Cats looks set to include a rapping feline when it returns to London’s West End later this year. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber said the character of Rum Tum Tugger would become “a street cat” in the show. Cats, last in London 14 years ago, is based on TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.

Germany plans car toll for foreigners

Germany plans to introduce a car toll in 2016 for foreign drivers using their roads. Permits will cost ¤10 (£7.90) for 10 days and about ¤100 for a year-long permit. Vehicles registered in Germany will also have to pay the charge, but owners will be compensated by an equivalent rebate in taxes.

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