When do you think that it is appropriate for a child to start reading the news? My son is turning 8 and is very keen on knowing what's happening around the world but I am afraid I may be risking him knowing too much at an early age - sex, violence, crimes, murder - isnt that too much gore for a child?

It's never to early to start reading news to a child. My daughter is 7 years and is pretty much aware about Gaza and the US Presidential elections (explained it to her as voting for class monitor lol). Depending on how mature your child is, you can always twerk the words a little e.g. rape, a guy hurting a girl. You don't have to be explicit. This way they'll have a better sense of the real world instead of just the play pretend that they're so use to at home.