The News Matrix: Saturday 25 October 2014

Alcohol limit for drivers to be cut

Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish Justice Secretary, yesterday outlined moves to reduce the legal blood alcohol limit for Scottish drivers from 80mg in every 100ml of blood, which applies across the UK, to 50mg in every 100ml. The change will come into effect on 5 December.

Student opens fire in Seattle school

A school near Seattle, Washington, was in lockdown last night after a male student, who has since died, reportedly opened fire in the cafeteria. At least three people have been hospitalised at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Marysville.

Masked men attack gay rights activists

Police say about 30 people wearing masks and throwing rocks and bottles have attacked members of a gay rights activist group, wounding two of them. Yesterday’s assault occurred in Skopje, the capital, as the LGBT Association of Macedonia was celebrating its second anniversary.

‘Bombing’ of patrol ‘was murder attempt’

A suspected bomb thrown at police patrol in Northern Ireland bears all the hallmarks of a murder attempt, a senior officer has claimed. Chief Inspector Andy Lemon said those behind the attack in the border town of Strabane, Co Tyrone showed scant regard for human life.

Dragons’ Den contest to help the disabled

The Government has launched a Dragons’ Den style competition to help disabled people. The Accessible Technology Prize asks entrepreneurs to pitch apps and gadgets to help the disabled be more independent. The 25 winning ideas will receive a £6,000 contract to take their ideas forward.

Muslim groups denounce attacks

Muslim groups have been quick to denounce two deadly terrorist incidents this week which have led to growing “fear and mistrust” between communities, according to a leading cleric. There have been reports of Muslim children being bullied at school after the attacks.

Suspect in murder of US reporter released

One of the men suspected of being involved in the murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl has reportedly been released by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan. Qari Hashim was being held in Hyderabad. His lawyer told NBC he was acquitted due to a lack of evidence.

Ashya’s family: It’s not safe to return to UK

Ashya King has had his last dose of proton beam therapy at a Prague hospital but his parents say they do not feel “safe” to return to the UK. Brett and Naghmeh King made headlines when they took him from Southampton General Hospital in August to get the treatment.

Ebola case sparks panic in New York

A doctor who recently returned from Guinea has been diagnosed in New York with Ebola. It comes as a nurse, who contracted the deadly virus while treating a patient in Dallas, left hospital. Nurse Nina Pham (above, with Barack Obama) said she felt “fortunate and blessed”.

NHS agency staff cost £2.5bn last year

Around £2.5bn of NHS funds were spent on agency staff last year, far more than was planned for, according to new figures. The overspend is thought to have been driven by growing demand and attempts to improve patient safety after the Mid Staffordshire care scandal.

Brand criticised for 9/11 remarks

Russell Brand was criticised after saying he was “open-minded” about the cause of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He made the comments on Newsnight while promoting his new book Revolution, highlighting links between former President George Bush and Osama bin Laden.

Rail workers had no warning of train

Nine rail workers were seconds from death and had no warning an 80mph passenger train was bearing down on them, rail accident investigators said. The group, on a bridge in Lancashire, survived by pressing against a bridge parapet, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said.

Modern buildings are rubbish, says Gehry

Acclaimed architect Frank Gehry has declared that 98 per cent of modern architecture is rubbish – although he used a more colourful term while receiving a prestigious award in Spain. His outburst came after a journalist suggested his buildings were “showy”.

Adult daughters are given £5,700 more

Grown-up daughters cost £5,700 more than sons, according to a survey from Zopa. Between 18 and 30, parents will pay £5,000 for their child’s higher education, £5,000 for a house deposit and £5,000 for getting married, the research suggests, with girls getting more.

Winning café rises from flames of riots

A woman who opened a café in a building badly damaged in the Tottenham riots in north London has been named entrepreneur of the year. Gina Moffatt, who runs the Blooming Scent Cafe, received the accolade at the eighth annual Precious Awards.

Judge stumped by cricketing terms

A planning battle over an old forge next to a cricket pitch led to a High Court judge asking: “What are sixes and fours?” East Meon Forge and Cricket Ground Protection Association wants to block an extension to the former workshop in the East Hampshire village.

Reading in rhyme is better every time

Rhyming books and poetry can help young children to enjoy reading, according to Julia Donaldson. The author of The Gruffalo told the Times Educational Supplement (TES) that rhyme was easier to remember than plain prose, which encouraged youngsters’ confidence.