The News Matrix: Tuesday 9 October 2012

Brain-damaged man won't be resuscitated

A High Court judge yesterday allowed a hospital trust's request to withhold life-saving treatment from a severely brain-damaged Muslim patient if his condition deteriorates. The 55-year-old man, from Manchester, is in a "minimally conscious" state, but his family had argued their religious faith requires everything to be done to prolong life "until God takes it away".

Romney calls for foreign policy change

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has offered a sweeping critique of Barack Obama's handling of threats in the Middle East in a foreign policy address in which he tried to present himself as a credible mainstream alternative ahead of his next debate with the President. MORE

Breast cancer care at trust under scrutiny

The health watchdog is to carry out an "urgent" inspection into the treatment of breast cancer patients at a debt-ridden NHS trust. The Care Quality Commission said concerns had been raised about faulty tests at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Poll: Lock bankers up for fraud, say Brits

Nearly nine out of ten Brits want bankers put in jail if found guilty of fraud or manipulating financial markets, a survey shows today. The figures in a YouGov/Avaaz poll reveal that 89 per cent in the UK, 89 per cent in Germany and 90 per cent in France, want "criminal sanctions, such as jail sentences".

Former president Nasheed arrested

Police in the Maldives arrested former President Mohamed Nasheed yesterday after he failed to appear at court to face charges that he illegally ordered the arrest of a judge while in office. Nasheed, ousted earlier this year, was arrested while campaigning for next year's elections. MORE

Children watching too much TV

A child born today will have spent a year looking at TV or computer monitors by the time they reach the age of seven, studies show. This addiction is having an adverse effect on their health, said psychologist Aric Sigman. The average 10-year-old has at least five screens to watch. MORE

Branson's lemurs in failed export bid

Five lemurs were seized by Gatwick airport officials after Richard Branson attempted to export 23 of the animals to his Caribbean island. Security were unable to locate microchips on four, while another became ill after a TB jab.

British man dies following stabbing

A 25-year-old British man has died after being slashed in the neck and torso and having his ear cut off in New York City, police announced as they continued hunting the suspected killer: a man with a ponytail wearing a dark jacket. Michael Jones was seen arguing with a man on Sunday in the city's popular Union Square.

New PM loses vote of confidence

Libya's parliament has passed a no-confidence vote in the newly-elected prime minister, removing him from his post, in the latest blow to stability in the country. Mustafa Abushagur was Libya's first elected prime minister after last year's overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi which ended eight months of civil war.

Two charged for revealing rape victim

Two people have been charged with revealing the identity of a woman raped by footballer Ched Evans online. Dominic Green, 23, from Rhyl, and Alexandra Hewitt, 24, from Broughton, are accused of publishing a matter likely to lead members of the public to identify the complainant.

Skydiver to attempt speed of sound jump

Austrian extreme skydiver Felix Baumgartner will attempt to break the speed of sound with his body by jumping from a balloon 23 miles above Roswell, New Mexico today. A launch of the balloon-hoisted capsule on Monday had to be called off due to safety reasons. MORE

X-Box's new gun is frighteningly real

A new X-Box controller shaped like a gun is so realistic it has raised concerns that it could encourage violent behaviour from gamers. The Delta Six controller is based on the Armalite M16 rifles used by US soldiers. As well as a recoil function, it can convert it from sniper rifle to machine gun.

The graffiti artists drawing a revolution

Graffiti has been among the most powerful art forms and tools of Egypt's revolution. But the slogans, portraits and artwork that went up on walls around the country depicting the uprising have been erased nearly as quickly. Now artists are joining to preserve the images. MORE

Fake policeman asks for free McDonald's

A man in Florida has flashed a fake gun and a police badge to demand free fast food at a McDonald's drive-thru – telling staff he deserved free food as he had just come from a "sting" and didn't have his wallet. The 33-year-old has been charged with impersonating a police officer.

Londoners the worst 'bump and drivers'

A survey has found Londoners are the least likely UK drivers to own up after damaging a parked car, with 69 per cent admitting to "bump and drive".

Finnish couple carry off prize

A Finnish couple have won the North American Wife Carrying Championship at Maine's Sunday River ski resort. Taisto Miettinen and Kristiina Haapanen travelled from Helsinki for Saturday's contest. The course includes hurdles, sand traps and a water hole.