The News Matrix: Monday 15 April 2013

Prisoners’ perks to go under new rules

Prisoners could lose their automatic access to gym equipmentand other perks under plans for a tough new regime in Britain’s jails. Chris Grayling, the Justice Secretary, is finalising proposals that will be announced soon to combat complaints that prisons are too lax. MORE

Addicts to get ‘safe haven’ to take heroin

Drug users could be offered safe havens to take heroin or crack without fear of prosecution. The idea of sanctioned “drug consumption rooms” has been put forward by a commission instigated by the Green MP Caroline Lucas in Brighton. MORE

Syrian rebels hire Occupy activist

Syrian opposition members have hired a top Occupy Wall Street activist as their US lobbyist. Carne Ross is known as a driving force behind Occupy, and also worked as an advisor in the Foreign Office until 2004, before disagreements with the Government over the war in Iraq. MORE

Children admit to cheating at sport

Two out of three children admit to cheating in school sports because they feel under pressure to win. A poll of just over 1,000 eight to 16-year-olds also revealed that 75 per cent believed their team-mates would cheat if they believed they could get away with it. MORE

Armed robber in prison break

A convicted armed robber is being hunted after staging an escape from Sequedin prison, outside Lille. Redoine Faid set off explosions and took four guards hostage. Police say he is still armed. MORE

Animals die as zoo is hit by blaze

A fierce fire at a Scottish zoo claimed the lives of a number of animals, including an otter, meerkats and reptiles. The blaze broke out in the tropical house of the Five Sisters Zoo at Polbeth, West Calder, West Lothian, shortly before 4am yesterday. Around 50 firefighters tackled the blaze at its height and managed to stop it spreading to other enclosures at the attraction. MORE

Palestinian PM Fayyad quits

Palestinian officials have blamed the interference of Western officials for the resignation of the US-backed Prime Minister Salam Fayyad at the weekend, a development that deals a blow to efforts to bring peace with Israel. Mr Fayyad quit on Saturday after months of tension with President Mahmoud Abbas. MORE

Mass arrests in ugly return of violence

A total of 27 football fans have been arrested and three police officers injured after violence erupted following a derby match in Newcastle. Missiles were thrown at police as a group of Newcastle fans tried to confront Sunderland supporters in Central Station, Newcastle, after the home side’s 3-0 defeat at St James’ Park. MORE

Ramsay’s signature ‘made by machine’

The row between Gordon Ramsay and his father-in-law has taken a new twist – amid a High Court claim that a “ghost-writing” machine was used to put the chef’s signature on a property deal involving a London pub. MORE

Pope Francis: we must set an example

Pope Francis has told priests to practise what they preach, saying the church’s credibility is on the line. Francis said yesterday that Catholics need to “see in our actions what they hear from our lips”. He has so far refused many of the trappings of the papacy.

Award recognises Courtenay’s career

Sir Tom Courtenay has received a lifetime achievement award in the 50th anniversary year of his classic film Billy Liar. Sir Tom, 76, accepted the award at the 19th Bradford International Film Festival.

Hurricane Katrina inspires Noah’s Ark

Rodolfo Almira is building a replica of Noah’s Ark in Miami-Dade County, Florida, that will become a petting zoo to raise environmental awareness, after being inspired to do it following Hurricane Katrina.