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The News Matrix: Friday 10 October 2014

 

Friday 10 October 2014 10:32 BST
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Lung cancer can lie dormant for 20 years

Lung cancer can lie dormant for 20 years before growing into a tumour, scientists have discovered, opening up a chance to screen for the disease at an earlier stage. Only 10 per cent of patients diagnosed with lung cancer are still alive after five years. Professor Charles Swanton said that by understanding how the disease developed “we can start to predict its next steps”.

Only 25% of British judges are women

England and Wales have one of the lowest proportions of female judges in Europe. Only 25 per cent of judges are women compared to Slovenia, which has 77.6 per cent. Earlier this year, Britain’s only female Supreme Court judge, Baroness Hale, called for more gender equality.

Turkey ‘cannot go it alone against Isis’

Turkey’s foreign minister says that it cannot be expected to fight against Isis in Syria on its own. Mevlut Cavusoglu called for the creation of a no-fly zone over its border with Syria after talks in Ankara with new Nato head Jens Stoltenberg.

Unions call off planned strike

The GMB, Unison and Unite unions have suspended a strike planned for next Tuesday. The strike was initiated in protest at the Local Government Association’s pay offer, which was worth 1 per cent for most employees. The unions will be consulting over new proposals.

Same-sex couples allowed civil unions

Estonia’s parliament has approved a new law to recognise gay partnerships, making it the first former Soviet republic to allow civil unions for same-sex couples. Passed with a narrow 40-38 margin, the law provides protection for unmarried couples living together.

Mass protests over missing students

Thousands of people have held protests against the disappearance of students in the southern town of Iguala last month. The students had clashed with police. Forensic tests are under way on dozens of bodies found in graves near the town last week.

Pre-Neanderthal remains found

French archaeologists have discovered some 200,000-year-old pre-Neanderthal human remains in Normandy. The three arm bones were found in September at Tourville-la-Rivière.

TV white space can benefit animal study

Television white space could help protect the study of endangered wildlife in regions such as theSumatran jungles. The unused space can transmit data through obstacles allowing animals in remote areas to be studied. The scheme is being trialled at London Zoo.

Bride confesses to dwarf stripper affair

A Spanish woman who gave birth to a child with dwarfism has admitted to her husband that she had sex with a dwarf stripper at her hen do. Her encounter is said to have occurred at the start of the year. Website Las Cinco Del Día, which broke the news, said: “Once she gave birth she confessed what had happened.”

Hall of Fame bid by These Charming Men

The original line-up of The Smiths has been nominated as new members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, USA, along with Sting and Lou Reed. If successful, band members Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke would be invited to the ceremony.

Country’s oldest man dead for 30 years

When officials went to congratulate Sogen Kato – supposedly the oldest man in Japan – on his 111th birthday, they found skeletal remains in his bed. Mr Kato may have been dead for 30 years. Mr Kato’s granddaughter told them he “doesn’t want to see anybody”. Police are investigating the family on possible fraud charges.

Pink Floyd make their final album

Pink Floyd’s latest album, dedicated to their keyboard player, Rick Wright, who died in 2008, will be their last. Guitarist David Gilmour said: “Well, Rick is gone. This is the last thing that’ll be out from us.” Drummer Nick Mason said that keyboard players often did not get enough attention.

For husbands who hate shopping...

Fashion retailer Bonmarché has launched a range of male clothing designed to appeal to women who dress their partner. A sales assistant at the shop said: “Normally the men sit in chairs waiting for their wives, but now we can say, ‘Go and see if there is anything for you.’”

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