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The News Matrix: Tuesday 18 September 2012

Badger cull 'crazy', says scientific expert

A scientist who led a nine-year study into the effect of badger culling on rates of bovine TB has described the Government's plan to go ahead with culls as "crazy". Lord Krebs said: "I would go down the vaccination and biosecurity route rather than this crazy scheme that may deliver very small advantage." MORE

Briton in drugs case will not be executed

A British property developer, Paul Beales, was told he faces up to 20 years in jail for possessing and trying to sell a small quantity of drugs. But he will avoid the death penalty despite also being accused of involvement in a failed attempt to smuggle £1.6m of cocaine into Bali. MORE

Iain Duncan Smith defends reforms

Iain Duncan Smith defended his new benefit system in the Commons. He said shifting to one monthly benefit under the universal credit system would help wean claimants off fortnightly payments, and support would be given to those concerned about the internet-run system. MORE

Bold Burberry bounces back

Burberry bounced back from a share price drop with a stellar show at London Fashion Week yesterday. The fashion house took on a radical approach to their traditional trench by showing it in metallic colours. MORE

That iPhone call may be delayed...

Apple customers may have to wait weeks for their iPhone 5 to be delivered after two million units were sold in just one day. Despite the delivery date of the company's latest smartphone being this Friday, Apple admitted that "many" customers may not get one until next month.

US 'was warned of possibility of attack'

Libyan security say that they warned the US of a possible assault on its consulate in Benghazi three days before an attack killed the American ambassador, Chris Stevens, and three others. The news follows a disclosure by this newspaper that the American administration knew of a planned attack by al-Qa'ida-linked insurgents two days beforehand. MORE

I sentence you to be man and wife …

A judge who sentenced a man to four years in jail for firearms charges performed a marriage ceremony minutes later to wed the new inmate and his longtime girlfriend. Larry Austin shared a brief kiss with bride Dustie Trojack before officials whisked him off to prison in Oklahoma.

18lb onion is 10th title for gardener

A gardener has broken his own world record for the largest onion, growing one with a weight of 18lbs 1oz. Peter Glazebrook, 78, has held a total of 10 world records over 30 years of gardening, including one for a 119lb 12oz marrow.

Drought reveals sunken treasures

A huge cargo of carved marble that sank in the Vistula river four centuries ago has resurfaced after a drought lowered water levels. Experts believe the stonework was looted by 17th century Swedish invaders and loaded on to barges, which sank.

Romney woos Hispanic voters

Mitt Romney was due last night to pledge to Hispanics that if elected he will fix the US immigration system in an appeal to a voter bloc that overwhelmingly favours Barack Obama. Mr Romney will add a commitment to get a handle on America's problem of rising national debt and massive budget deficits. MORE

Foreign fighters 'are radicalising rebels '

The number of foreign fighters in Syria is growing, some operating independently and some joining anti-government forces which they are helping to make more radical, UN human rights investigators said. August was the worst month for casualties so far in the conflict. MORE

Barlow to perform at classical awards

Lord Lloyd-Webber and Gary Barlow will join the Military Wives choir to perform their hit single, Sing, at the Classic Brit Awards next month. The song, composed for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, was recorded with artists from around the world.

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Day In a Page

Andrew Mitchell: 'It's no good feeling hard done by'

Andrew Mitchell: 'It's no good feeling hard done by'

In his first interview since 'plebgate', the former Chief Whip opens up just enough to concede that, in politics, you have to take the rough with the smooth

Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?
Corruption and the FCO: Blue skies, white sands, dark clouds

Corruption and the FCO: Blue skies, white sands, dark clouds

Special report: Met police call for criminal inquiry into former diplomat's Cayman Islands rule
Fallen angel: Winona Ryder on bouncing back from her decade in the wilderness

Fallen angel: Winona Ryder bounces back

She owned the 1990s... but then she disappeared. Now, Ms Ryder is back with quite the bang in her latest role, as the wife of a notorious real-life Mob hitman.
Roman Polanski shakes Cannes Film Festival

Roman Polanski shakes Cannes Film Festival

The director's new film, 'Venus in Fur', is one of the raciest on offer
Rev Richard Coles: 'I don’t have any concerns that God is cross with me for being gay and eventually the Church won’t either'

Rev Richard Coles on the Church and homosexuality

The mellifluous, erudite and witty Coles is the nation's most pop-culture-friendly priest
'Baghdad likes to live from crisis to crisis': Civil war looms in Iraq

Patrick Cockburn: Civil war looms in Iraq

The governor of Kirkuk - one of the country's most violent but successful provinces - fears the worst
Written on the body: Tattooists at pains to point out their artistic credentials

Written on the body

Tattooists at pains to point out their artistic credentials
Conquering Everest: 60 facts about the world's tallest mountain

Conquering Everest: 60 facts about the world's tallest mountain

The IoS marks the sixtieth anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first reaching the peak of the highest mountain on Earth
A new, and irreversible, Dust Bowl looms

Rupert Cornwell: A new, and irreversible, Dust Bowl looms

The destructive power of tornadoes will be as nothing once the Great Plains' vast underground water reserve dries up
Every creature's needless death diminshes us all

Philip Hoare: Every creature's needless death diminishes us all

A 60 per cent decline in our national species should alarm us, yet few of us act. But to mind more about animals would reflect well on society
Killing with kindness: Burma's religious battleground - and the monks at the heart of it

Killing with kindness: Burma's religious battleground

Six years ago, the world cheered the monks behind Burma’s Saffron Revolution. Now, a horrific new eruption of religious slaughter is being blamed on a 'Buddhist Bin Laden'.
Let's take it outside: Bill Granger's Bank Holiday feast

Let's take it outside: Bill Granger's Bank Holiday feast

You can’t always depend on the weather – but you can avoid the pitfalls of the British barbecue by preparing an elaborate outdoor feast indoors ahead of time...
The Calvin report: Stirring Champions League final shows how far English game must advance

The Calvin report

Stirring Champions League final shows how far English game must advance
10 big questions for the British & Irish Lions to answer

10 big questions for the British & Irish Lions to answer

Warren Gatland's squad fly Down Under aiming to do justice to the expectations – and hoping the Wallabies stay in the pub