The News Matrix: Tuesday 16 August 2011

‘Dynamite’ evidence may be made public

New evidence on the News of the World phone-hacking scandal – described by MP Tom Watson as “dynamite” – could be made public this week. It reveals whether James Murdoch knew of an email which dispels the idea that the hacking was due to one “rogue reporter”. MORE

Government to get tough on corruption

The government will act tough in the corruption scandals facing the ruling Congress party, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said. India has been rocked by scandals over mobile phone licences and by last year’s Commonwealth Games.

Bomb attacks kill 60 on ‘bloodiest day’

At least 60 civilians and members of the security forces were killed and hundreds were wounded as bombs exploded in the country’s bloodiest day of violence this year. It happened a fortnight after Iraqi officials said that they were ready to negotiate a limited US military presence. MORE

Blackburn boss Kean in drink-driving ban

Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean was handed an 18-month driving ban yesterday after being convicted of drink-driving. Kean had pleaded guilty but claimed his drink had been spiked. MORE

Officer killed in Helmand named

An Army officer who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Friday has been named by the Ministry of Defence. Lt Daniel Clack, 24, of 1st Battalion The Rifles, died as he led a foot patrol in Helmand province.

New insight into prostate tumours

Scientists believe they have identified a key difference between aggressive “metastatic” prostate tumours that spread to other parts of the body and slow-growing tumours that do not. The development could lead to a blood test to distinguish between the two, and new treatments. MORE

Woman arrested after patient’s death

Essex police have arrested and bailed a 36-year-old woman from Enfield, North London in connection with the death of a resident at a private care home. Three patients were taken to hospital on August 3. One elderly woman died two days later, while the other two are stable.

Man who stood up to deadly mob is jailed

Authorities in Indonesia have sparked international outrage by jailing a member of a minority Muslim sect who defended his community against a rampaging mob. The man received a sentence longer than that handed out to some of the attackers.

Banks invest in ‘banned’ weapons

HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds TSB and the Royal Bank of Scotland are investing hundreds of millions of pounds in companies that manufacture cluster bombs, despite a growing global ban on the production and trade of the weapons. Though the funding is legal, Amnesty International has criticised the morality of the banks, two of which are partly state owned. MORE

Too much TV is the way to an early grave

Sitting in front of the TV for six hours every day can cut life expectancy by five years, experts at the University of Queensland have found. The researchers claim our TV obsession has become a public health problem as it increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke. MORE

Crunch time for unpopular PM

The Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, begins a make-or-break parliamentary season today, delivering key carbon and mining tax policies against a barrage of opposition. Despite months of campaigning, Ms Gillard has failed to lift support for her minority government.

Tibetan monk burns himself to death

A Tibetan monk burned himself to death in south-west China calling for the return of the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader condemned by Beijing as a separatist. The death could spark fresh tensions in ethnic Tibetan parts of Sichuan. MORE

Crew go the extra mile, high in the air

Cathay Pacific will delay a planned advertising campaign which boasts of crew “who go the extra mile to make you feel special” after photographs emerged of two members of staff engaged in a sex act in the cockpit. The pictures were reportedly stolen from a pilot’s laptop.

110th birthday for whisky heiress

Scotland’s oldest woman has celebrated her 110th birthday. Janet Roberts is the granddaughter of William Grant, who founded Glenfiddich Distillery in 1886. She is matriarch of the family which owns William Grant & Sons, one of the last independent distillers in Scotland.

Smith likely to have to keep diary free

Sheridan Smith is almost certain to win the role of Bridget Jones in a new West End production, having impressed author Helen Fielding during workshops for the production. The character gained fame through Fielding’s columns in The Independent. MORE

People thrilled to see snowfall

Residents of Wellington are delighting in what forecasters describe as a once-in-a-lifetime event – the sight of snowflakes falling. Services across the country were disrupted by the snowfalls, which were accompanied by heavy rain and high winds. MORE

Probe launched after balloon hits house

Organisers of last weekend’s Bristol International Balloon Fiesta are investigating after a hot air balloon struck a house. Homeowner Bernadine Nolan lost 30 tiles from her roof but was not hurt. The pilot steered the balloon to safety.

Butch Cassidy ‘did not die in Bolivia’

Outlaw Butch Cassidy did not die in a shootout in 1908 in Bolivia, says a book collector and a writer. He survived and then lived out the rest of his days in Washington state. The claim was dismissed by a top Cassidy expert as “nonsense”. MORE

Mother of dog attack girl hits out at Bardot

The mother of a four-year-old girl who was savaged by a pitbull terrier has hit out at the actress Brigitte Bardot, who has called for the dog’s life to be saved. The dog is due to be put down after the savage attack in France last month. MORE

Vikings launch Lindisfarne festival

A party of “bearded heathens” have arrived on the island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland to launch a cultural festival. A group of Vikings, played by members of the Norse Film and Pageant Society, are on display. Viking Week runs until Sunday.