The News Matrix: Friday 10 May 2013

Wanted US fugitive built new life in Kent

One of New York’s most wanted fugitives was discovered building a new life in Kent, complete with a dog and a job in Sainsbury’s. Sean Lopes was wanted for attempted murder, alleged kidnapping and crimes involving explosives. Although one Kent neighbour described him as a “smashing chap”, he was found after a member of the public raised concerns.

Nicotine in plants may protect health

Nicotine in vegetables related to the tobacco plant, such as peppers, tomatoes and potatoes, may protect against Parkinson’s disease. Experiments show that stimulation of nicotine-sensitive receptor molecules in the brain prevents the kind of neuron damage seen in Parkinson’s. page 19

GPS tagging system stirs up controversy

Britain’s new Police and Crime Commissioners want a controversial GPS tagging system to keep track of repeat offenders. Civil-liberties groups warn the new tags could infringe offenders’ human rights, but experts claim they will make criminals less likely to reoffend. MORE

Iain Duncan Smith ‘fabricated figures’

Iain Duncan Smith has been accused of fabricating figures to support his £26,000-a-year cap on benefits claims. The UK Statistics Authority, TUC, Oxfam and shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne said the figure of 8,000 people being spurred on to look for jobs was incorrect. MORE

Boston bombing suspect buried

Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev has been buried in an undisclosed location outside the city of Worcester, police said yesterday after a frustrating week-long search for a community willing to take the body. Police said the body is now entombed. MORE

Miliband goes to cyclist’s rescue

The Labour leader, Ed Miliband, has been praised for rescuing a cyclist who had flown over her handlebars in traffic. The cyclist in Camden, north London, wondered if she was concussed when she saw him. MORE

Khan to address rally from hospital

Pakistani politician Imran Khan was due to address an election rally of Islamabad last night through a video link from his hospital room, where he is currently being treated for back and head injuries after falling at a campaign event. Yesterday was the last day of campaigning ahead of Saturday’s election. MORE

Eight die in latest clothing factory fire

Eight people were killed when a fire swept through a clothing factory, two weeks after a similar fire, the death toll of which now exceeds 950. The latest fire, in an industrial district of Dhaka, further highlights lax safety standards in Bangladesh’s booming garment industry after the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory. MORE