The News Matrix: Saturday 4 April 2015

Unqualified teachers ‘jeopardise’ pupils

The rise in unqualified teachers in schools is “jeopardising the educational progress” of a generation of children, says a survey by the NASUWT union. More than six in 10 teachers said they have been working alongside unqualified staff, with the figure even higher in academies. More than 4,600 teachers responded to the union’s survey and complained about the poor calibre of staff.

Russia fears prompt defence budget rise

Lithuania, alarmed by Russian military assertiveness, outlined plans yesterday to raise defence spending by a third in 2016, the highest share of its economy devoted to defence since it joined Nato in 2004. The Baltic country curbed its defence budget in the financial crisis but changed tack in 2014 when Russia took over Crimea and backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Six arrested at Dover over Syria offences

Six people have been arrested in Dover on suspicion of Syria-related terrorism offences, West Midlands Police said. In a series of tweets, police said five men and one woman were detained at around 8am today in the departure zone of the south coast port. They are being questioned at a West Midlands police station while searches are made at addresses in Birmingham.

Clinton takes first step to White House

Hillary Clinton has reportedly signed a lease for the building in Brooklyn, New York, which is expected to be her presidential campaign HQ. Mrs Clinton is expected to announce that she will run for the Democratic Party nomination in the coming weeks. The report comes at the start of a 15-day period in which all presidential candidates must declare their intent to run for the White House.

Survivor tell of university massacre

Survivors of a massacre by al-Shabaab at a university have given chilling testimony of the attack. One student has described how the extremists headed straight for a hall where students were in Christian prayer. More than 147 people were killed when gunmen stormed Garissa University College, in an attack some were saying the government should have done more to prevent.

Britain ‘spied on Argentina for years’

Documents released by Edward Snowden, the American whistle-blower, claim that Britain spied for several years on the Argentine government. According to reports in the Argentine media, Britain was concerned that Argentina could launch another attempt to reclaim the Falkland Islands. The two nations fought a war over the islands in 1982.

Two held in drug smuggling swoop

Two men, aged 23 and 30, have been arrested as part of an investigation into international drugs smuggling. The pair were detained during a search of a house in Belfast, and have been taken to a police station in the city for questioning. In the past nine days 12 people have been arrested, and cannabis worth £1m has been seized, following 22 police raids across Northern Ireland.

Hawaiian telescope sparks protests

Scientists hoping to site one of the world’s biggest telescopes in Hawaii, to help them see 13 billion light years away and give a glimpse into the early years of the Universe, have failed to spot a controversy right under their noses. Up to 300 protesters from Native Hawaiian groups gathered this week at the mountain site which they say plays a central part in their creation story.

Disruptions stall Easter break plans

Easter transport woe has hit Britain as demand for spring getaways is at its highest ever. Long-distance rail passengers are set for planned and unplanned disruption to journeys over the weekend, with many key routes affected by engineering works.

Opposition hardens over deal with Iran

The difficulty facing an agreement over Iran’s nuclear ambitions became clearer yesterday after it emerged that the accord will face fierce opposition from both US Republicans and Iranian hardliners. Israel’s newly re-elected premier, Benjamin Netanyahu, also reiterated his country’s strident rejection of Thursday’s deal which must be finalised by June.

Fire underground out after 36 hours

An electrical fire in a tunnel beneath a pavement in central London has been put out after more than 36 hours. Up to 5,000 people were evacuated when police declared a major incident in Kingsway, Holborn, on Wednesday. The blaze was put out yesterday morning, but scores of businesses in the area had to remain shut for a second day.

Malema wants to tear down the past

Julius Malema, the strident South African political leader, has said he believes all symbols of the country’s imperialist past should be torn down. In a rare interview, he also told i that he supported policies mirroring the seizure of white-owned farmland in neighbouring Zimbabwe, and outlined his radical left-wing vision for South Africa.

Focus on tests makes pupils over-anxious

Children are becoming stressed and anxious – even losing interest in education through an overwhelming focus on tests and exams, teachers claim. Many school workers believe that some pupils are developing stress-related conditions when they are due to sit exams, while others say youngsters become very worried in the run-up to taking qualifications, according to research commissioned by the National Union of Teachers.

Burglar left photo and an apology

A burglar in a small town in Siberia has broken into a house and left his photograph with a note of apology. The burglar in Prokopyevsk stole a chainsaw and several cigarette packs. The owner found a photo of the burglar with a note which said: “I’m going to give myself up today. Please forgive me. I hate myself for this.”

Firefighters find a pig in a pool

A pig has been rescued by firefighters after it got stuck in a swimming pool. Dorset Fire and Rescue Service was called out when Pigwig managed to fall in the pool at a home in Ashley in Hampshire. Two engines and a specialist animal rescue unit from Poole were scrambled to rescue the animal.

Man dead in 2012 runs for governor

The name of a candidate who ran for governor in Kentucky five times is again to appear on the ballot – despite the fact that he died in 2012. Terrill Wayne Newman, 68, legally changed his name to Gatewood Galbraith before filing to run for the state’s highest office. He said he doesn’t expect to be elected.

Monet paintings set to fetch up to $110m

Six paintings by French impressionist painter Claude Monet could bring in up to $110m (£73m) at New York City’s spring auctions, Sotheby’s announced yesterday. The works, which span five decades of the artist’s career, will appear at the auction house’s impressionist and modern art sale on 5 May.