The News Matrix: Monday 23 June 2014

Schools failing to fill governor vacancies

Thousands of schools are unable to fill vacancies on their governing bodies, as the responsibilities of the role prove too daunting for many prospective candidates. It is estimated that as many as one in 10 governors’ posts – 30,000 across the country – are unfilled.

Helicopter escapees caught in Montreal

After an extensive manhunt police have captured the three men who escaped from a Quebec prison by helicopter earlier this month. The three fugitives – Yves Denis, 35; Denis Lefebvre, 53; and Serge Pomerleau, 49 – were arrested in Montreal and are due in court today.

Troops in shootout with killer soldier

Troops were engaged in a shootout yesterday with a conscript who had killed five comrades and wounded seven others in a grenade and gun attack the previous night. He opened fire after he was tracked down near a school close to the border with North Korea.

Weight problems in the British army

More than 22,000 troops in the British army were found to be overweight to the extent it could affect their health during the past three years. The troops were so out of shape they were deemed to be at increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Ukip appeals to those ‘who are not online’

Ukip support has flourished among some sections of society because high rates of computer illiteracy make them feel cut off from the global economy, shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna claimed.

Lib Dems in call for NHS emergency cash

Senior Liberal Democrats are urging George Osborne to give the National Health Service an emergency payment of £2bn. They argue that the Chancellor must use his Autumn Statement in November or December – which is the last before the 2015 General Election – to assign the extra money in order to prevent a funding crisis in Britain’s hospitals next year.

Army searches for missing youths

The Israeli army carried out a raid yesterday in the heart of Ramallah, the West Bank seat of the Palestinian self-rule authority. So far, 330 Palestinians have been arrested over 10 days, after three Israeli youths went missing.

‘Park for 10 minutes on double yellow’

Drivers will be able to stop for up to 10 minutes on double yellow lines without being fined, under plans by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles to prevent the “criminalisation” of drivers. The change is intended to curb over-draconian parking fines allegedly used by town halls.

Plot of Marr novel might alarm the PM

Broadcaster Andrew Marr revealed yesterday that the plot of his debut novel, Head of State, involves the death of a Conservative prime minister shortly before a referendum on Britain’s EU membership in September 2017.

‘50 Shades’ author in the black at £33m

The author of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy saw her earnings treble last year to more than £33m, thanks to royalty and licencing deals for her erotic novels. EL James’s series has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide.

Flip-flop mountain climber rescued

A tourist was stretchered off one of Scotland’s highest mountains after hurting his ankle while climbing – in a pair of flip-flops. The man was exploring Aonach Mor near Fort William when he slipped.

POW graduates 72 years later

Don Miyada, who missed his 1942 high school graduation because he was locked up in an internment camp for Japanese-Americans has finally received his honours at the age of 89.