The News Matrix: Monday 12 November 2012

Man arrested after stabbing death

A man has died after being stabbed near a shopping precinct in Chelmsley Wood, near Birmingham. The victim, aged 25, was pronounced dead after suffering a single stab wound at the Craig Croft shopping area, at about 5am. A 24-year-old local man had been detained on suspicion of murder.

Petraeus exit makes waves at the CIA

Scandal hung over America's Central Intelligence Agency last night, amid ongoing speculation about the sudden departure of its director, the high-profile former US Army general, David Petraeus. MORE

Union hits out at punishment plans

Justice Secretary' Chris Grayling's plans to toughen up community sentences by making some form of punishment compulsory will raise costs by up to £500,000, according to Napo, the probation union. As well as raising costs, it says the plans will, remove judges' discretion and tie the hands of the probation service.

UK Army may be deployed near Syria

British troops could be deployed around Syria's borders in the event of a worsening humanitarian crisis, the head of the armed forces warned yesterday. General Sir David Richards, the Chief of Defence Staff, said contingency plans for military intervention were being drawn up. MORE

Ex-spy chief is jailed for corruption

Jordan's former intelligence chief was jailed for more than 13 years yesterday for embezzling public funds, money laundering and abuse of office. Mohammed al-Dahabi was fined 21 million Jordanian dinars (£18m) and ordered to pay back money he allegedly laundered. MORE

Baby boom is a burden on midwives

The highest number of births in 40 years is putting "enormous demands" on the maternity services at a time when they are being cut back, midwives warned. More than 700,000 babies will be born this year, more than in any year since 1971, if the trend continues. MORE

Israel retaliates for stray mortar shells

Israel was drawn into the Syrian civil war for the first time yesterday, firing warning shots into its neighbour's territory after a stray mortar shell from across the border hit an Israeli military post. Israel said the mortar fire in the Golan Heights caused no injuries or damage. MORE

Archbishop: City reforms inadequate

The incoming Archbishop of Canterbury risks a row with ministers by claiming planned City reforms will fail Britain's poorest communities. Three days after being named as the new leader of the Church of England, the Right Rev Justin Welby will demand in a House of Lords amendment that legislation be redrafted to shame banks into lending more money to poorer regions. MORE

Capes of good hope for new president

Bolivian president Evo Morales says his personal wealth has jumped by about £63,000 since taking office, thanks to the 500 ponchos he has received as gifts.

John Lewis boosted by rush for iPads

Demand for iPads helped give John Lewis a pre-Christmas boost last week. Sales were up 11.4 per cent on a year ago with electronics and home technology up 29 per cent.

Dorothy's dress goes for £300,000

Judy Garland's gingham dress from The Wizard of Oz sold for $480,000 (£300,000) at auction on Saturday. The price for the dress and white blouse that Garland wore in the 1939 film was in line with estimates from Julien's Auctions in Beverley Hills.

Robbie Williams scores a double top

Robbie Williams claimed the number one spot in the singles and album charts yesterday. Take the Crown was a new entry at the top of the album charts while "Candy", his 14th number one, stayed at No1 for the second week.