The News Matrix: Saturday 3 November 2012

Collapsing bridge kills three workers

A concrete road bridge being built in eastern Slovakia has collapsed, killing at least three workers. A rescue service spokesman said two workers died immediately and a third died in hospital. Fifteen other workers were injured. Eighteen workers were on the bridge when it collapsed yesterday near the town of Kurimany.

Woman arrested over baby deaths

A Polish woman has been arrested on suspicion of killing at least five of her newborn babies. The suspect, identified only as 41-year-old Beata Z, will be held for at least three months during an investigation. She gave birth to eight babies between 1998 and 2012; only two remain alive.

Cameron 'no cuts' protest conviction

A man who shouted "no public sector cuts" at David Cameron during a speech in Glasgow has been ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service. Stuart Rodger, 23, was previously fined £200 for hitting Deputy PM Nick Clegg with blue paint.

Bankrupt tycoon jailed for contempt

Bankrupt tycoon Sean Quinn, once Ireland's richest man, was jailed for nine weeks yesterday after a judge found him guilty of contempt of court after he shifted foreign assets from his crumbling business empire to friends and business fronts across Europe in violation of court orders.

Halloween 'skunk' shooter to face trial

Thomas Grant, the man who apparently shot a young relative after mistaking her Halloween costume for a skunk, is to be tried for assault and reckless endangerment. Police say the girl was in a black costume with a white feather or tassel on her hat during a Halloween party.

More remains found in search for vet

Search teams involved in the hunt for a missing vet have sealed off a second area where human remains have been found. North Wales Police, who have been searching for Catherine Gowing, 37, above, said the remains were found close to the River Dee in Chester.

Video shows rebels killing prisoners

A new video appears to show Syrian rebels killing a group of captured soldiers. Rights groups warned that a war crime may have been committed. The video raises concerns about rebel brutality shortly before a conference on the crisis in Qatar this weekend. MORE

'Plant passports' could save UK's trees

"Plant passports" could be needed to combat imported diseases like the fungus now set to ravage Britain's ash trees, experts said yesterday. The scheme is a potential response to the growing threat to our native trees and plants from foreign pathogens imported into the UK.

The last election word from Romney

Republican candidate Mitt Romney has offered his closing election argument, asking Americans whether they want more of the same from President Obama or "real change" in Tuesday's election. He seized on a small increase in the US unemployment rate in October. MORE

Double killer told he will die in prison

A homeless drifter will die in prison after being convicted of the murders of a vicar in Gloucestershire and a retired teacher in Worcestershire. Stephen Farrow, 48, was found guilty of the killings of the Reverend John Suddards, 59, and Betty Yates, 77, at Bristol Crown Court. MORE

Asil Nadir must pay back stolen £5m

The disgraced tycoon Asil Nadir was yesterday ordered to pay back £5m of the money he stole from his Polly Peck business empire – or face a further six years' jail. Nadir was jailed for 10 years in August after being found guilty of stealing £28.8m from the company.

Mayor criticised for holding marathon

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has come under fire for pressing ahead with this weekend's New York Marathon despite the city struggling with fuel shortages and electricity black-outs after Sandy. Some New Yorkers say that holding the race will divert resources from the needy. MORE

Ken Clarke: EU budget veto 'absurd'

It is "absolutely ludicrous" for the UK to go to Brussels intending to veto the EU budget, Ken Clarke said. The cabinet minister was speaking after David Cameron said last night that he would veto the financial package if it was not a good deal for Britain.

Only 109 years on the clock...

The oldest surviving Vauxhall car sold for £94,460 at auction yesterday. The vehicle, ordered for Vauxhall managing director Percy Kidner on November 6, 1903, is cream with brown-leather interior. It went to a British buyer at Bonhams in London.

The ego has landed...

Ex-mayor of Flint, Michigan, Don Williamson, who quit in 2009 while facing a recall vote, has erected a bronze statue of himself outside the gate to his home. Made 20 years ago, it was originally displayed at the car repair firm that made his fortune.

Balloons and birds on Congress hit-list

With less than a week until the Communist party's all-important congress, China's rulers have drawn up a list all possible threats, including pigeons, balloons and remote control model aeroplanes, which they fear could scatter subversive leaflets.

PM tells President to leave luxury palace

The recently elected billionaire prime minister, Bidzina Ivanishvili, has urged his political rival, President Mikhail Saakashvili, to quit his palace, adding that it is "immoral" for him to live in luxury while tens of thousands of refugees live in poverty.

We're buying more gifts – for ourselves

More Britons are buying their own birthday and Christmas gifts to ensure they get what they want. The average amount spent on purchasing one's own gifts has risen to £280 a year, according to a report commissioned by Barclaycard.