The News Matrix:Monday 27 February 2012

Focus turns to press and police links

The Leveson Inquiry will today focus on the links between press and police. Two senior Scotland Yard officers forced to resign over hacking will appear on Thursday. Former Commissioner Paul Stephenson and Assistant Commissioner John Yates will both give evidence. MORE

Warning was given about jobs tsar

The Prime Minister's former employment tsar was given her role despite the Government being privately warned of alleged fraud within her company A4e. The company's website revealed that civil servants at the Department for Work and Pensions were tipped off in 2010. MORE

Gillard and Rudd to fight for Labor helm

The Australian PM Julia Gillard, left, and her rival Kevin Rudd will go head-to-head in a leadership battle today. Few expect Rudd to win back the premiership, but he remains the preferred Labor leader. MORE

Teachers retiring early due to stress

Stress and pressures are forcing more teachers than ever to retire early, a study has revealed. Nearly 9,000 left before pension age last year – the highest number for 13 years. Unions have blamed an "excessive workload" and the stressover inspections.

Nato troops injured as tensions rise

Violent protests over the burning of a Koran by US troops in Afghanistan continued for a sixth day yesterday. Seven Nato troops were injured in a grenade attack in Kunduz province, while a manhunt was underway for an Afghan man suspected of shooting dead two US military advisers. MORE

Rebels to give up kidnapping for cash

Colombia's feared Farc rebel group said it would abandon its decades-long policy of economic kidnapping and free all hostages it holds in jungle camps. The group, the biggest and oldest armed organisation in Latin America, holds 10 members of the armed forces as well as hundreds of civilians it seized as a means of extortion to fund its battle against the government.

Fisherman found alive after search

A fisherman was found alive yesterday on a sea fort after his crewmate's body was discovered floating in the water, according to the coastguard. Thames Coastguard was alerted at 8pm on Saturday after the Lisa K potting boat was detected by the Port of London Authority drifting seven miles north of Herne Bay, Kent.

President jeered at ballot after riots

Senegal's president was booed as he cast his ballot yesterday in an election that follows weeks of riots. President Abdoulaye Wade is violating the term limits he introduced into the constitution, saying they don't apply to him. The move threatens Senegal's reputation as one of the most mature democracies in Africa. MORE

New film academy to train teenage talent

The next Danny Boyle could be found with a new government project to try to promote aspiring film-makers. The Education Secretary, Michael Gove, has announced a £3m project to support 16 to 19-year-olds interested in a career in film. The scheme will operate across the country and be overseen by the British Film Institute. MORE

Brit prizewinners dominate the charts

The stars of the Brit Awards sealed their victory with a chart-topping performances yesterday. Adele, who won two gongs on Tuesday after a six-award triumph at the Grammys, reclaimed the No 1 spot. Ed Sheeran, who also won two Brit awards, was at No 3 while prizewinner Lana Del Rey scooped fourth place.

21.5in – the world's shortest person

A 72-year-old Nepali was yesterday confirmed as the shortest person ever recorded. At 21.5 inches (54.6cm) Chandra Bahadur Dangi was presented with certificates for being the world's shortest living man and the shortest person ever recorded in Guinness World Records' 57-year history.