The News Matrix: Friday 22 February 2013

Old Vic Tunnels to be shut down

The Old Vic Tunnels – the cult arts venue that has hosted gallery shows, a Michelin-starred pop-up restaurant and a fundraiser by former US President Bill Clinton – is to close. The site under Waterloo station, London, is to shut after its main backer shifted the funding to its principal operation, the Old Vic.

LaBeouf quits play after 'co-star clash'

After just a week of rehearsals, the actor Shia LaBeouf, pictured, has walked away from his Broadway debut, with a series of tweets suggesting a clash with his co-star, Alec Baldwin. Daniel Sullivan, the director of the Orphans production, reportedly "became worried" about LaBeouf's "performance choices" before he quit.

Man faces jail for 'harassing' sea cow

A Florida man posted photos on Facebook showing himself hugging a baby manatee and was arrested on charges of harassing the endangered sea cow, wildlife officials said. Ryan William Waterman was held on a misdemeanour charge punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 (£330) fine.

Clinton foe fathered secret love-child

The former New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici has admitted fathering a love-child with the daughter of a Senate colleague. The Republican, who led the charge trying to get President Bill Clinton impeached in 1999 for liaisons with Monica Lewinsky, fathered a son with Michelle Laxalt in the 1970s. MORE

'Help, police. I don't want to go to bed'

A 10-year-old boy from Massachusetts called police because he didn't want to go to bed. Police said the boy called just after 8pm on Wednesday and told the operator he was reporting his mother because he did not want to go to sleep. An officer went to the boy's home and explained to him when it was appropriate to call.

'Swindon Slasher' vandalises 150 cars

Police in Wiltshire are on the hunt for a criminal dubbed the "Swindon Slasher" after at least 70 people awoke yesterday morning to find their car tyres slashed. More than 150 cars were vandalised, on several streets, and residents believe it "could not be the work of just one person". MORE

Britain trains troops amid Syria fears

Britain will train 2,000 Lebanese soldiers in an effort to shore up stability. The move was announced by William Hague amid fears that Syria's neighbour will be sucked into the country's civil war. Since the start of the uprising there have been armed clashes in the capital, Beirut. MORE

11 die in double car bombing

At least 11 people were killed and 50 wounded when two bombs exploded in the southern city of Hyderabad. The blasts occurred last night in a crowded shopping area. It was the country's worst bombing in more than a year. MORE

Car bombing kills 53 in central Damascus

A car bombing in Damascus has killed 53 people, according to state media. It was the third straight day of attacks in the capital, and the vehicle was packed with as much as 1.5 tons of explosives. MORE

Far East students way ahead in maths

Students in the Far East are two years ahead of England's brightest maths pupils by the time they sit their GCSEs, a study has found. The findings confirm fears that the UK's brightest children are not being stretched at school.

Lib Dems investigate groping allegations

The Liberal Democrats have launched an investigation into allegations that a senior party official pestered female party colleagues. Bridget Harris said Lord Rennard touched "my legs and my knees" two or three times over a coffee at a conference in 2003. MORE

Woman's body found in hotel water tank

The body of a Canadian woman has been found in a tank being used to provide drinking water to guests at a Los Angeles hotel. Police said the cause of death in the case of 21-year-old Elisa Lam, who had been missing for three weeks, remained uncertain. MORE

Italian police make arrest in fixing probe

A suspected football match-fixer has been arrested after landing in Milan. Admir Suljic, from Slovenia, is said to be an associate of Dan Tan, a Singaporean national believed to be behind a massive betting scam that has fixed the results of hundreds of matches across Europe. MORE

Charity chiefs angry over aid cash switch

Charity chiefs expressed dismay at the possibility that British aid money could be diverted to military operations. The aid lobby warned David Cameron that essential help for the world's poorest people could be cut back and humanitarian workers' lives put at risk. MORE

Attacks may put fans off European games

Football fans have warned that violent attacks against British supporters could put many off travelling to Europe for matches. Tottenham Hotspur fans were targeted by 50 men giving Nazi salutes ahead of a game in Lyon. "People are not going to pay out large sums of money if they think they are going to be at risk of violence," the Football Supporters' Federation said. MORE