The News Matrix: Monday 10 June 2013

Security chaos and deaths in Benghazi

Libya’s army chief of staff resigned yesterday after clashes killed 31 people in the eastern city of Benghazi. The developments underlined the security chaos in Libya more than 18 months after its dictator Muammar Gaddafi was deposed in a civil war.

MPs fear rules could split up families

A cross-party group is urging the Government to reconsider rules for non-EU spouses, which mean their partners in Britain must earn at least £18,600 a year. The changes to family migration rules meant many Britons have had to move away in order to continue their relationship.

‘Artificial pancreas passes home trials

Sufferers of Type 1 diabetes could see their lives vastly improved following successful home trials of an “artificial pancreas”. The device monitors blood glucose levels and administers insulin accordingly. Five people successfully used the device without medical supervision.

Monsoon wind and rain claim 27 lives

The death toll from strong winds and monsoon rains across Sri Lanka’s coastal areas has risen to 27, while another 29 fishermen are missing. The navy has been searching for the fishermen and more than 32 boats since the heavy monsoon weather hit early yesterday.

Chester Zoo in bid to save rare butterfly

The large heath butterfly may yet “fly and flourish” in Lancashire, thanks to a reintroduction project. A small number of the rare butterflies will be bred at Chester Zoo and released at Heysham Moss in 2014 and 2015.

Author Iain Banks, 59, dies of cancer

Iain Banks, the Scottish author and science fiction writer who won international acclaim with his debut novel, The Wasp Factory, has died aged 59. In April he announced on his blog that he was suffering from terminal cancer which had spread from his gall bladder, and his wife yesterday left a message stating: “Iain died in the early hours this morning.” MORE

BJP anoints controversial Modi

India’s main opposition party, the BJP, has said that Narendra Modi will oversee its 2014 election campaign, making him its likely prime ministerial candidate. Mr Modi, chief minister of Gujarat, has been widely condemned for failing to stop organised attacks in the state in 2002 that left more than 1,000, mostly Muslims, dead. MORE

Hague says Britons ‘have nothing to fear’

William Hague has sought to reassure people that average Britons have “nothing to fear” from the British and US intelligence agencies. Following media scrutiny of the US National Security Agency’s scheme known as Prism, the Foreign Secretary gave an interview on BBC’s Andrew Marr Show yesterday. MORE

Hero dog home after treatment in US

A dog who lost her snout when she jumped in front of a speeding motorcycle to save two girls, returned to her owner’s home in the Philippines after treatment in the US. Donations from around the world raised $27,000 (£17,000) for her medical treatment.

Psychic ventures into the unknown

The TV psychic Derek Acorah has cancelled his latest show due to “unforseen circumstances”. The star of the ghost-hunting show Most Haunted was set to perform in Dumfermline. One fan said: “You’d think he would have seen it coming.”

Stowaway clung to outside of ferry

Spanish police have arrested a 48-year-old man who was spotted clinging to the back of a ferry from Morocco, only feet above the churning propellers.

Oldest telegraph pole stands down

Britain’s oldest telegraph pole has retired after 119 years’ service. Erected in 1894, it held telegraph wires before a telephone exchange opened in Kirkwell, Orkney, in 1923.