The News Matrix: Monday 8 December 2014

Snow and ice warning for Britain

Icy winter weather is set to hit the UK this week. The Met Office has issued ice and snow warnings for parts of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A spokesman for the Met Office said: “We will see snow on the hills, and in the South of England perhaps some sleet and hail.” Scotland will be the worst-affected region, with around 10cm or more of snow expected.

Drop in number of senior nursing posts

Calls to put matrons and top nurses at the heart of NHS care have been ignored, as new data reveals that the number of senior nursing posts has dropped since 2010. The NHS in England has lost more than 1,000 matrons and 3,400 senior nurses over the past four years.

Death sentences for Brotherhood figures

A criminal court has issued provisional death sentences to four Muslim Brotherhood figures pending the opinion of the country’s top religious authority. The case stems from clashes near the Brotherhood’s headquarters after the removal of Mohamed Morsi last year.

Judge resigns after slur on name of Patel

Immigration Judge Terence Richard Peter Hollingworth has resigned his role as a district judge after suggesting that a victim of harassment could not have an “important” job because her surname was Patel and she would “only be working in a shop or an off licence”.

Lion enclosure intruder is rescued

Officials in Spain say a man has been rescued from the lions’ enclosure at Barcelona Zoo after being seriously mauled. Firefighters were called to the zoo yesterday after witnesses saw a man in military-style uniform jump into the den, according to a statement from the city government.

Judge to decide on Dewani dismissal

The South African murder trial of Shrien Dewani reaches a critical stage today when the judge decides whether to dismiss the case on the grounds of insufficient evidence. Dewani, 34, has always denied organising a hijacking in November 2010 in which his wife died.

Soldiers help build character in schools

More pupils will get former soldiers instilling self-respect into them after the Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, announced a £4.8m boost for a scheme that helps develop self-confidence and leadership.

Deaths linked to ‘legal highs’ jump

Deaths associated with the use of so-called “legal highs” in England have increased from 12 in 2009 to 97 in 2012, according to new figures. The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), which brought the figures to light, wants police to be given powers to close shops selling the drugs.

Prince William and Kate visit New York

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will arrive in New York later this evening for a three-day visit that has generated “incredible” excitement among New Yorkers. The royal couple have a varied itinerary that will see Prince William meet the US President, Barack Obama.

Monroe love letter sells for $78,000

Joe DiMaggio’s love letter to Marilyn Monroe has sold for $78,125 (£50,150) at a Beverly Hills auction. The 1954 letter was among 300 items, dubbed “Marilyn Monroe’s Lost Archives”, that went on the block over the weekend. A letter from Monroe to her third husband, playwright Arthur Miller, sold for $43,750.

Retailers braced for ‘Manic Monday’

The hysteria of Black Friday and Cyber Monday might be behind us, but experts have predicted that today could be the biggest shopping day of the year. Consumers are set to spend £676.5m on what has been dubbed “Manic Monday”, as retailers prepare for 151 million visits to their websites.

Oldest two-faced cat dies at age 15

The world’s oldest two-faced cat has died of cancer, after defying veterinary science to reach the age of 15. Named Frank and Louie – or “Frankenlouie” for short – the animal was declared the longest-surviving two-faced cat on the planet when he was entered into the 2012 edition of Guinness World Records.

Fireworks light up Brunel’s marvel

Ten of thousands of people have attended a spectacular fireworks display in Bristol to mark 150 years of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The display was part of a two-day celebration for Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s structure, which joins Bristol to North Somerset and was designed by the engineer in 1829.