The News Matrix: Monday 28 May 2012

Call for supervision of new doctors

The Academy of Royal Medical Colleges has called for better monitoring of junior doctors in a bid to stop the arrival of newly qualified doctors in August leading to higher than usual casualties. It urges better supervision from senior doctors to stop a six per cent increase in the death rate. MORE

Nato airstrike kills family of eight

A Nato airstrike has killed eight members of a family, including children, Afghan officials claim. The attack took place on Saturday in Paktia province. The Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, has warned that civilian causalities could undermine the country's partnership with the US. MORE

Man goes on trial for running down toddler

The trial has begun of a man accused of driving a van that ran over Wang Yue, a toddler, who was ignored as she lay dying on the road (left). Hu Jun was charged with the wrongful death of the two-year-old. MORE

Drink-drive limit to be lowered soon

Plans to lower the drink-drive limit in Scotland will be brought forward later this year. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said lowering the limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg would be made a priority now the 2012 Scotland Act had given the Scottish government new powers.

Two spectators die in rally accident

A man in his 40s and a woman in her 30s were killed in an accident at a motor rally in Bailieboro, Co Cavan, in the Republic of Ireland yesterday. It is believed a car lost control and crashed into a fence where the victims were standing. Several other spectators were also injured in the accident.

Monarchy protesters tackle police in court

A group of 20 anti-monarchist protesters and campaigners are taking legal action against the police today over claims Scotland Yard made a political decision to clear "undesirable" groups from London's streets during the Royal Wedding. More than 50 people were arrested on 29 April last year, and more than 20 held during raids on squats on the eve of the ceremony.

Close Mubarak aide jailed for corruption

A court in Egypt has convicted one of Hosni Mubarak's closest aides of corruption and sentenced him to seven years in prison. Zakaria Azmi was Mubarak's chief of staff. For most of his 29 years in power, the former president was rarely seen in public without Azmi by his side. MORE

Half of female refugees 'raped'

Almost half of women seeking asylum in Britain have been raped in their home countries, according to a report out today. Women For Refugee Women said its inquiry into the fate of more than 70 respondents found the vast majority claiming to have been raped had been refused asylum.

Fun band's song hits the number one spot

American indie pop band Fun hit the number one spot in the singles chart yesterday after their song "We Are Young", featuring Janelle Monae, was covered by US musical drama Glee. The highest new entry of the week was "Chasing The Sun" by boy band The Wanted, which went in at number two.

Don't worry, be happy, live longer

Scientists say being a "glass half full" person really can help you to live longer. In a study of 500 Ashkenazi Jews over the age of 95, US scientists found that the group had lower "neurotic personality" scores than the general population.

How inbreeding impairs the meerkat

Inbreeding affects 44 per cent of meerkats in the wild, causing them to be smaller and less likely to survive. A 20-year study, led by a team from Edinburgh University, examined the births, deaths, DNA and movement between meerkat colonies in the Kalahari Desert, South Africa.

Stars to perform in smallest venue

The West End of London's smallest theatre is to host three of the biggest stars of the stage. All That Fall, a radio play by Samuel Beckett, will be performed at the 70-seat Jermyn Street Theatre, with Trevor Nunn directing and Eileen Atkins and Michael Gambon in lead roles.