The News Matrix: Friday 16 November 2012

Taxpayers could lose £66bn bailout cash

The taxpayer could make a loss on 2008's bank bailout, MPs have warned. The Public Accounts Committee said that the £66bn spent on recapitalising Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group, may never return to the treasury.  MORE

One in three trainee teachers drops out

Almost a third of trainee teachers never make it into a classroom, according to research by a prestigious centre for education studies. And nearly half a million qualified teachers under 60 either never entered state school classrooms or quit teaching altogether. MORE

Communist Party names new leader

China has a new President today, following a week-long congress of the Communist Party. Xi Jinping, who has long been the likely successor to Hu Jintao, faces slowing economic growth, public anger at corruption and demands for societal change. He will also control the military. page 20

Police commission vote has low turnout

Apathy marked election day for the posts of police and crime commissioner across England and Wales with turnout as low as 18.5 per cent. At Wolverhampton's civic centre the first arrival was cheered by officials – three hours after polling started. Officials in Dorset claimed the final turnout could struggle to reach 10 per cent, with similar predictions in Cambridgeshire. MORE

Obama checks on New York recovery

Barack Obama was in New York City yesterday, surveying the recovery after Superstorm Sandy, which battered the east coast last month, killing over 100 people and causing major disruption. He met families, local officials and members of the emergency services.

Rail tragedy guard jailed for five years

A railway guard who caused the death of a teenage girl by signalling a train to move as she leant against it was jailed for five years yesterday. A judge told Christopher McGee, 45, he showed "appalling disregard" for the safety of Georgia Varley, 16. MORE

Anguish of abortion death bride's parents

The parents of Savita Halappanavar have spoken of their devastation after their daughter died in pain in an Irish hospital having been refused an abortion. "She almost begged them to terminate her pregnancy," Savita's mother said. MORE

Director Boyle in plea for funding

Danny Boyle has called for "modest but sustained" funding for regional theatre in the face of cuts to the arts. The Oscar-winning director of Slumdog Millionaire, who also masterminded the Olympic opening ceremony, said yesterday: "It's something in our cities and towns that's nurtured." MORE

Branagh set for Manchester Macbeth

Sir Kenneth Branagh will direct and star in a new production of Macbeth as part of next year's Manchester International Festival. The production, staged in a deconsecrated church, marks his return to Shakespeare after more than a decade. He previously starred in an Oscar-nominated version of Henry V. MORE

Cracking bit of fundraising, Gromit

Sixty Gromit statues will line the streets of Bristol next summer. Artists will paint the 5ft models of the dog from Nick Park's animated films to raise money for Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal for Bristol Children's Hospital. Park said: "I'm very particular exactly how Gromit looks and that he's in character."

Man who fed police horses faces charges

A man from Glasgow who allegedly fed sausage rolls to police horses will face breach-of-the-peace charges. Francis Kelly, 41, was arrested in September. Police said he behaved in a "threatening or abusive manner" and "adopted an aggressive stance" when they told him to put the food away. Mr Kelly denies the charge.

Outdoor sex couple score an own goal

A couple charged with obscenity after having outdoor sex have failed in their defence that no harm was done because everyone else was watching a football match. The couple, a 60-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman, had sex while the Italian football team was playing in the 2006 World Cup final in Germany.