The scientists believe that some people's convictions for shaking babiesto death may be unsafe, and suggest that the symptoms, includingbleeding over the surface of the brain and in the back of the eyes, mayinstead have more innocent causes. Doubts about the science are to formthe basis for an upcoming appeal against the conviction of childminderKaren Henderson who, in November 2007, was convicted of violentlyshaking to death a toddler in her care.
- Smoking by parents may be to blame for the illness of up to a third ofchildren with certain conditions, a medical director from Liverpool'sAlder Hey hospital has claimed. Dr Steve Ryan told the BBC thatbronchitis, asthma and ear infections could be cut if parents quitsmoking. He said that out of 35,000 children the hospital treats everyyear, 2,000 are there because they have been exposed to their parents'smoking and that up to a third of those suffering from chest infectionsand asthma were victims of passive smoking. The British Lung Foundationsays that 17,000 under-fives are treated every year for exposure tosecond-hand smoke.
- The national minimum wage is to increase by 21p an hour to 5.73from October, a boost of 3.8 per cent, the government announced lastweek. The hourly rate will rise from 4.60 to 4.77 for 18-to 21-year-olds and from 3.40 to 3.53 for 16- and17-year-olds. Prime Minister Gordon Brown also announced new penaltiesagainst employers who underpay workers.
- A search for the nation's favourite nursery rhymes was launched by'Dancing on Ice' star and singer Suzanne Shaw, in support of thechildren's communication charity I CAN. For every vote for a favouriterhyme I CAN will receive 1 from Openreach, BT's local networkbusiness. Votes can be logged at www.rhymestars.co.uk. An additional'sing and share' feature on the website offers children and adults thechance to record a rhyme online, for which Openreach will donate afurther 2 per song for the first 2,500 entered.
