The News Matrix: Wednesday 9 July 2014

Al-Hilli died on same day as ex-husband

The former husband of Iqbal Al-Hilli who was murdered with her husband and mother and a French cyclist in France, in 2012, died on the same day as her, French police revealed. Her former husband, identified only as James T from Natchez, Mississippi, died of a heart attack on 5 September 2012 – the same day that an unidentified gunman attacked the Al-Hilli family.

Hostages taken after £3m Samsung heist

Thieves raided a Samsung factory in Campinas, Sao Paulo state, and made off with at least $6m (£3.5m) of mobile phones and computers. The gang of heavily armed men captured eight employees, stole their ID tags and took two of them with them as hostages.

Scottish campaigners in row over funding

Campaigners from both sides in the Scottish independence debate have attacked each other, as donations between December last year and June 2014 were published. The pro-Union Better Together Campaign received £2.4m, while Yes Scotland got £1.1m.

Keeper attacked as he feeds crocodile

A zookeeper has been attacked by a crocodile during a feeding show at a zoo 100 miles south of Sydney. Trent Burton, 31, managed to break free after the 12ft male grabbed him and dragged him into the water. Mr Burton was treated for minor puncture injuries to both hands.

Incriminating files ‘probably destroyed’

Over 100 files containing allegations of paedophile activity involving high-profile figures were likely destroyed by the Home Office. The department’s permanent secretary told MPs the titles of the missing files still existed and was instructed to hand them over by Friday. MORE

Payday lender complaints soaring

Complaints about payday lenders have more than doubled in the last two years, the financial ombudsman has reported. Some 794 new complaints about the £2.8bn industry were taken on in the financial year 2013/14 compared with 296 in 2011/12.

‘Interfering’ US diplomat expelled

Bahrain has expelled a senior US diplomat “due to his interference in its internal affairs”, in spite of efforts of Britons including Prince Andrew to improve the image of the regime. MORE

Suicide attack by nine men on palace

At least nine attackers were killed during an assault on the presidential palace in Mogadishu yesterday. The attack was believed to have been carried out by the al-Shabab militia. The attackers are said to have blown themselves up with vests packed with explosives.

It’s an L of a long slog for some drivers

A 24-year-old woman secured her status as Britain’s most persistent learner driver when she finally ditched her L-plates at a test centre in Chippenham last year. She was one of eight Britons to have racked up at least 20 tests by the end of 2013, according to Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency figures.

Lorry thieves take the biscuits

Police are investigating after thieves stole £16,000 of shortbread. The lorry and trailer full of biscuits were taken from a company in Kintore,Aberdeenshire, at the weekend. The vehicle and shortbread were later recovered.

Last chance for last rites in cemetery

The last burial plot in a cemetery is expected to sell for about £1,000 when it goes under the hammer later this month. Auction House Coventry and Warwickshire is selling the plot in Sutton Coldfield Cemetery in Birmingham. The cemetery has no land for new graves so this is the last plot available for purchase.

Garden shows how to help hedgehogs

A hedgehog-friendly garden which shows nature-lovers how to help the spiky species is featuring among the exhibits at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. The “Hedgehog Street” garden aims to raise awareness of the plight of the threatened mammals, whose populations have plummeted in the last 10 years.