The News Matrix: Tuesday 10 June 2014

Taliban threat of more terror attacks

The Pakistani Taliban threatened more attacks yesterday after claiming responsibility for a brazen five-hour assault on the country’s busiest airport in which gunmen disguised as police guards stormed the international airport in Karachi and 28 people were killed.

The claim further diminished prospects for a resumption of peace talks. MORE

Residents challenge London towers plan

Plans to construct eight new skyscrapers opposite the Palace of Westminster could be challenged in the courts. Local residents have branded the £1.3bn redevelopment of the Shell Centre as a “Doha lookalike” and have launched a campaign to finance a judicial review. MORE

Modi keen to build on links with China

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged greater co-operation with China yesterday and said he planned to visit Beijing soon. India and China have grown commercial relations in recent years but political ties remain difficult, after a border dispute that led to a war in 1962.

Bragg tired of life up north being mocked

Melvyn Bragg has objected to the portrayal of northern life in literature. In an interview with the Radio Times the broadcaster claimed that northern life had become an object of humour and ridicule. “I’m not a fan of the working class being mocked,” he said. MORE

Body found after vessels collide

Crews searching for a woman missing from a yacht which sank off the east coast found a body yesterday evening. The vessel sank after colliding with a dredger on Sunday afternoon. “It is believed the body is that of the woman who had been on board the yacht,” Suffolk Police said.

Blackwater guards on trial for 14 deaths

After years of delays, four former guards from the security firm Blackwater Worldwide are facing trial in the killings of 14 Iraqi civilians and the wounding of 18 others. The guards say they acted in self-defence. Prosecutors say the shootings were unprovoked.

Life for two men in journalist shooting

A court yesterday sentenced two men to life in prison and three others to terms ranging from 12 to 20 years for the 2006 killing of journalist Anna Politkovskaya. She was shot in her apartment building. MORE

Tributes to parents killed in car smash

Tributes have been paid to a couple who died in a fatal crash in South Wales which has left a nine week-old boy an orphan. Lee Jenkins, 25, and Raquel Louise Davies, 23, were killed when a car in which they were passengers crashed after leaving the A4093 in Gilfach Goch.