The News Matrix: Wednesday 7 August 2013

Compromise with Spain, says Hain

The former Europe minister Peter Hain has said that a compromise with Spain over Gibraltar would improve life for people living there. His comments, which came after Spain’s Foreign Minister, Jose Garcia-Margallo, threatened to impose €50 levy on vehicles at the border, are unlikely to go down well with islanders who have long resisted dealings with their neighbours. MORE

Jury retires in trial of alleged Mob boss

Jurors in the trial of reputed crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger have begun their deliberations over his participation in 19 murders during a two-decade reign in Boston. 83-year-old Bulger is charged with orchestrating or committing the killings during the 1970s and 1980s.

Leader wants talks over nuclear issue

Iran’s new President says his country is ready for talks with world powers over its nuclear programme. Hassan Rouhani said he is “ready to engage in serious and substantial talks without wasting time” and hoped interactions with the West would be based on “talks, not threats”.

Protesters attack Belfast’s Lord Mayor

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Mairtin O’Muilleoir, was punched yesterday by loyalist protesters at the opening of a children’s park. Mr O’Muilleoir, 53, said he was also kicked during the visit to the Woodvale area, which recently saw riots sparked by a decision to prevent parades.

Bill suppressing protest is passed

Parliament passed a bill yesterday that critics say will make it impossible to stage street protests against the country’s President, Yoweri Museveni, following months of confrontation between the authorities and activists who mounted a campaign to have the legislation scrapped.

Website criticised after girl hangs self

The social networking site ask.fm is under pressure to regulate its service after Hannah Smith, 14, was found hanged in her bedroom last Friday. She had been subjected to a barrage of taunts on the site. MORE

Gunmen in police uniforms kill 13

Dozens of gunmen disguised in police uniforms shot to death 13 people they pulled off of a convoy of buses in south-west Pakistan and dumped their bodies in a nearby ravine. No one has claimed responsibility for Monday night’s attack, but suspicion may fall on separatists in south-west Baluchistan province.

Woman wins case to leave ‘unsafe’ flat

A mother-of-four won a case to move from her ninth-floor council flat because she feared her children could fall to their deaths. Birmingham City Council will rehouse Fartuuna Warsame’s family after a three-year battle. She said her children could open the windows with “one finger – it’s not safe”.

Gay couples, let me breastfeed your baby

A woman has posted an offer on a French website to breastfeed babies of homosexual male couples for €100 (£87) a day, just weeks after a divisive same-sex marriage law was passed. The post was verified as genuine and legal. The offer, from a young woman saying she’s a nurse, promises up to 10 breastfeeds a day.

Spanish police see red at World Games

A football match at the World Police and Fire Games had to be called off after a number of players were sent off. Organisers blamed the “continued inappropriate behaviour” of the Marbella police competitors. The games, being held in Belfast, include boxing, beach volleyball and an Ultimate firefighter contest.

Couple launch lawsuit over raid

A couple from Hereford are suing the police after 18 officers, some armed, raided their house in the middle of the night. A paramedic called to the house when Michelle Malone, 46, had a panic attack, had reported that her husband Keith Abrahams, 44, was in possession of a firearm. It was a remote control.

Couple launch lawsuit over raid

A couple from Hereford are suing the police after 18 officers, some armed, raided their house in the middle of the night. A paramedic called to the house when Michelle Malone, 46, had a panic attack, had reported that her husband Keith Abrahams, 44, was in possession of a firearm. It was a remote control.