The News Matrix: Saturday 22 October 2011

Clinton pressurises Pakistan on militants

Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, has pushed Pakistan to deny militants a safe haven on its territory. The message comes amid unprecedented tensions between the US and Pakistan, with signs that Washington could take unilateral action if Islamabad ignores its requests. MORE

White powder sent to loans company

Police have launched an inquiry after a Student Loans Company office had to be evacuated when a member of staff opened an envelope and white powder came out. Emergency services were called to the firm’s offices in Darlington, County Durham, when an employee reported feeling unwell.

Girl left for dead on busy road loses life

A girl who was twice run over by vans and then ignored by passers-by on a busy street died yesterday a week after the accident and after days of bitter soul-searching over declining morality in China. Hospital officials said the two-year-old girl, Wang Yue, died of brain and organ failure. MORE

Plans for moving psychiatric patients

Psychiatric patients with “dangerous and severe” personality disorders will be moved from secure hospitals to prisons under government plans, a report has revealed. Ministers want to start cutting the number of places for those with the most acute mental problems at secure hospitals.

Real IRA weapons mangets 12 years

A brother of one of the men blamed for the Omagh bomb atrocity has been jailed for 12 years for trying to buy weapons and explosives for the Real IRA in Lithuania. Irishman Michael Campbell was arrested in an undercover operation after buying a sniper rifle and detonators. MORE

Soldiers killed in Mogadishu fighting

The African force protecting Somalia’s government acknowledged yesterday that at least 10 of its troops had been killed in battle in Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab displayed dozens of bodies in army fatigues saying they were AU soldiers killed in the latest fighting. MORE

Oceans of water found in space

Enough water to fill several thousand Earth oceans has been discovered in a developing solar system. The water vapour encircles the star TW Hydrae on the edge of a planetforming disc of dust and gas. Scientists believe the water could eventually be delivered to dry planets in the form of comets.

Bus makes women take a back seat

A bus service run by Orthodox Jews that forces women to the back seats has come under fire from authorities inNew York. The Brooklyn bus line was branded an “outrage” by Mayor Michael Bloomberg who said that gender segregation is “obviously not permitted” on public buses.

London to Scotland sleeper coach, £1

A budget sleeper coach service was launched yesterday, with London to Scotland fares starting at just £1. Fitted with 24 berths and 24 seats, specially converted coaches are being operated between London and Glasgow by the Stage coach transport company’s megabus.com business.

Porcupine survives an attack by archer

A porcupine trapped in undergrowth by an arrow lodged in its back has been rescued in New Hampshire. The arrow missed muscle and bone but snagged on the brush when the animal tried to move. A police chief who helped to free the rodent said it was healthy when it shuffled off.

Bercow to move in with a Traveller

Sally Bercow, below right, wife of the House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, is to follow her Celebrity Big Brother stint with a Channel 5 show in which she shares a caravan with Traveller Paddy Doherty. Her appearance on CBB allegedly caused ructions with her husband.