The News Matrix: Tuesday 16 December 2014

May will grant extra powers to inquiry

Theresa May has told MPs that she is prepared to grant significant new powers to the official inquiry into child sex abuse, including compelling witnesses to give evidence. The Home Secretary has faced criticism of her handling of the inquiry but yesterday indicated for the first time that she believed the investigation should be given statutory power.

Gunman at large after killing six

A man killed six people and seriously wounded another in three different homes outside Philadelphia, remaining at large hours after the shootings, authorities said yesterday. The District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman identified the suspect as 35-year-old Bradley William Stone.

Fine for theatre after manager paralysed

An award-winning theatre company has been fined £20,000 after a stage manager was paralysed in a fall through a Juliet balcony on to the stage below. Rachael Presdee, 38, was left paraplegic after the accident at central London’s Soho Theatre. She is now wheelchair-bound.

Police close in on Sicilian Mafia boss

After a raid on the Fountain of Gold olive business which funds him, Palermo’s financial police said they were catching up with Matteo Messina Denaro, 52, the last big fish of Cosa Nostra still on the run. He is the nearest thing the Sicily Mafia has left to a boss of bosses.

Which? issues faulty goods warning

Shoppers could be receiving misleading advice from retailers about returning faulty goods this Christmas. Consumer rights group Which? visited six of the UK’s major electrical retailers. According to the survey Argos fared worst, despite improving from last year.

Hollande praises immigrants

President François Hollande has praised contributions that immigrants have made to France and criticised those generating fear of foreigners, a reference to the far-right National Front. Mr Hollande said yesterday that an immigration policy is needed to ensure “dignity”.

Arterton takes on gender pay gap

The actress Gemma Arterton will visit Parliament today to highlight the gender pay gap, which Labour claimed resulted in women earning £210,000 less over a lifetime than men.

Police question five teens over killing

Five schoolboys were questioned by police last night after a construction worker was killed outside his home following a minor altercation. The youngsters, aged 13 and 14, were arrested after the 52-year-old victim was stabbed to death in Edmonton, north London.

Stop running stories, Sony tells media

Sony Pictures has pleaded with the media to stop running stories that have caused huge embarrassment to some of Hollywood’s biggest stars – almost three weeks after hackers stole emails from the corporation. A letter from the company’s lawyer urged the press to delete any information on Sony staff.

Integrity talent show for civil servants

A Nepali talent show is in the final stages of finding a star who doesn’t need to sing, dance or act – but has the X factor when it comes to honesty in their job in the civil service.

The competition, Integrity Idol, is part of a campaign to promote greater integrity among bureaucrats in the Himalayan republic.

St Paul’s objects to Garden Bridge plan

Opposition to a proposed “Garden Bridge” in London is intensifying, after officials at St Paul’s Cathedral registered a complaint that the landmark, adorned with plants, would spoil views of Sir Christopher Wren’s famous dome. Cathedral surveyor Oliver Caroe said he had “significant misgivings” about the project.

Pensioner treats 50 to Christmas lunch

A generous pensioner has hired an entire pub in order to host a Christmas lunch for herself and up to 50 lonely strangers so they all have company. The benefactor, an 86-year-old widow who has asked to remain anonymous, has reserved every table at the Lamb & Flag pub in Ottery St Mary, Devon, for 23 December.

New Mandela book coming next year

Nelson Mandela’s foundation said yesterday that next year it would publish a book he began writing as a sequel to Long Walk to Freedom.

Mandela, who died last year aged 95, started The Presidential Years in 1998 and continued until 2002, when he “finally ran out of steam”, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said.