The News Matrix: Wednesday 26 November 2014

Social workers fear new forms of abuse

Social workers are struggling to keep pace with emerging types of child sex abuse such as sexting and revenge porn, a new report says. The research, commissioned by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, examined social workers’ confidence, access to training and morale. The study found they felt more confident confronting abuse within families.

Pope says Europe is ‘elderly and haggard’

Pope Francis described Europe as “somewhat elderly and haggard”, comparing the continent to a grandmother who is no longer fertile and vibrant. He addressed EU leaders yesterday, urging them to help migrants who risked their lives trying to reach the continent.

Old headmaster calls Hunt a ‘bigot’

Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt has been accused of “bigotry” against private schools – by the headmaster of his old school. Mark Beard was angered by Mr Hunt’s warning that the schools would lose tax breaks if they did not share facilities with state schools.

Government jets strike Tripoli airport

Libya’s Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni said yesterday his government’s air force was responsible for strikes on Tripoli’s airport, which is controlled by a rival administration. The airport has been hit at least twice as the confrontation between rival factions intensifies.

Carney: lower job security here to stay

The rise of contract work, which allows businesses to directly employ fewer people full-time, is probably here to stay, according to the Bank of England governor Mark Carney. “There will be an increase in self-employment and part-time work relative to history,” Mr Carney told MPs.

Ethiopia hopes to set record for HIV tests

Ethiopia is attempting to set a world record for the number of HIV tests carried out in one day. The country’s health officials said yesterday that they hope to break the record of 1,380, set in 2012 in Argentina, this coming weekend to mark World Aids Day on 1 December.

Blair award ‘harms charity’s credibility’

Staff at Save the Children have condemned the decision to present Tony Blair with a global legacy award. A letter signed by nearly 200 employees claims the charity’s credibility has been harmed.

Cosby author regrets sex claims not in book

The author of a Bill Cosby biography has apologised for not pursuing allegations that the comedian had sexually assaulted women, which Cosby denies. Mark Whitaker, whose Cosby: His Life and Times came out in September, tweeted that he was wrong not to look into the charges.

i fashion editor wins prestigious accolade

i’s fashion editor has been honoured at the Editorial Intelligence Comment Awards, which celebrate the achievements of the UK’s most influential commentators and editors. Alexander Fury, who was named Best Fashion Commentator of 2014, said he was “incredibly honoured” to receive the award.

Twitter official hits the wrong button

A senior executive at Twitter has mistakenly sent a message regarding a secret acquisition to thousands of people, as opposed to a single recipient. Anthony Noto appears to have sent a direct message intended for a colleague expressing his desire to acquire another company to more than 9,000 of his followers.

Newcomer distils essence of success

One of Kentucky’s newest whiskey distillers is making a big splash, fetching more than $28,000 (£17,800) for its first bottle of bourbon. Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, said he doesn’t know of any other bottle that sold for that amount or higher. All the money will go to a local charity.

The blind centipede that can detect light

A centipede that lost its sight 200 million years ago appears to have a psychic ability to detect light. University of Cambridge researchers made the discovery after mapping the genetic code of the creature which lives on western beaches in England and Scotland. They found no genes encoding for known light receptors.

Top Gear Argentina special to be aired

The Top Gear special that sparked a diplomatic incident in Argentina forms part of the BBC’s Christmas schedule despite complaints from the South American country’s government. The BBC announced its festive season on the same day a letter from the Argentinian ambassador in London criticising the corporation was made public.