The News Matrix: Wednesday 12 March 2014

Women ‘left in pain’ by common op

Hundreds of women have been left in severe pain and in some cases been forced to give up sex because of commonly prescribed vaginal mesh implants, injury lawyers have said. Problems with the implants in Scotland have led to 400 women reportedly launching damages claims. Labour in Scotland has called for the NHS to suspend the procedures pending an investigation. MORE

Prescription charge to rise by 20p

The price of NHS prescriptions is to rise by 20p in April and again next year. Health minister Norman Lamb said the increases were justified given the increasing demands on the NHS, with spending on medicines almost doubling since 2000. The current charge is £7.85.

Swedish journalist shot in the head

Swedish journalist Nils Horner, 51, was shot to death yesterday on a street in Kabul. A witness said two men approached the journalist before one pulled out a gun and shot Horner in the head. A Taliban spokesperson denied responsibility for the attack. MORE

Flooding insurance bill reaches £800m

The insurance bill for Britain’s winter floods has hit £800m, and with 1,500 families still exiled from their homes, the figure will keep rising, the industry association has revealed. Households have lodged 18,000 flood claims, the Association of British Insurers said. MORE

€500m offered in trade benefits

The European Commission agreed to extend nearly €500m worth of trade benefits to Ukraine. European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said the benefits would be in force until at least 1 November, when the EU expects to have signed a free-trade deal.

Senator accuses CIA of spying on network

California Senator and Head of the US Senate Intelligence Committee Dianne Feinstein accused the CIA of improperly searching a computer network set up for lawmakers investigating allegations the agency used torture in terror investigations during the Bush administration. MORE

BBC unveils stars for revamped iPlayer

The BBC has showcased a raft of new content (left) which is exclusive to its iPlayer. Director General Tony Hall yesterday described the online output as “the best online television service in the world”. MORE

Men in two-thirds of best-paid roles

The majority of the country’s best-paid jobs are “no-go” areas for part-time workers and women, a new study claims. Research by the TUC showed that two-thirds of the 900,000 employees in the highest-paid occupations, are male.

PM ousted amid tensions over oil

Libya’s parliament ousted Prime Minister Ali Zidan in a vote of confidence yesterday, after a militia controlling an eastern port defied Tripoli’s authority by trying to sell oil. Most politicians are supported by militias and many are not likely to accept Zidan’s removal.

Axe-wielding raider wrestled to ground

A have-a-go hero wrestled an axe-wielding robber to the ground after a smash-and-grab raid near Buckingham Palace. The bystander intervened as police were called to a central London jewellers yesterday afternoon.

Netanyahu probes shooting of judge

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed sorrow over the shooting death of Jordanian Judge Raed Zueter and has launched a joint investigation with Jordan. Israel’s military killed the judge on Monday at the border.

Man adopts 99-letter name after losing bet

A New Zealand man legally changed his name to a 99-letter moniker after losing a drunk poker bet almost five years ago. The man’s legal name is now: “Full Metal Havok More Sexy N Intelligent Than Spock And All The Superheroes Combined With Frostnova.”

Keith Richards plans children’s book

Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones’ guitarist, has teamed up with his daughter Theodora for a children’s picture book. They plan to publish Gus and Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar, which is based on the rock star’s own life, later this year.

Make your point fast, tweeters told

Twitter users participating in online debates need to get their point across quickly, a study has claimed. Once a dominant opinion has been established it is “difficult to change”, Chinese researchers said in the report, which has been published in the journal Chaos.

Man saved in flood may sue rescuers

A man in Colorado who was saved from a submerged vehicle during heavy rainfall and flooding in September last year is considering suing his rescuers for $500,000 (£300,000). Roy Ortiz says it should not have taken the rescuers two hours to reach him.

Snakebite? Nah, just a beer, thanks mate

When a man in Queensland was bitten by a deadly eastern brown snake, his first reaction was to grab a beer from the fridge. Rod Somerville, 54, told the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin that panicking makes everything worse, and if he was going to die, he wanted a beer. Somerville spent four days in intensive care after suffering allergic reactions to the anti-venom.

Every dog has his wedding day

A 46-year-old British woman married her pet dog in a ceremony that took place in Croatia with over 200 people in attendance. Amanda Rodgers said the dog made her laugh and was always there for her.

Chinese teachers to boost British maths

Chinese maths teachers will come to England to give masterclasses in the subject in a bid to boost standards. Up to 60 English-speaking teachers will participate in a new exchange which will also see English maths teachers working in in China, the Department for Education said.

Police called to subdue violent cat

Police in Oregon were called to subdue a violent 22lb cat after it attacked a baby. Owners of the cat called authorities while they locked themselves, their dog and their baby inside a bedroom while they waited for police to arrive. The family said the cat has a history of violence.

Boys and girls ‘want their own books’

A children’s publisher has refused to meet public demand to stop labelling books for either girls or boys. Michael O’Mara, whose company owns children’s publisher Buster Books, has defended selling gender-specific titles, saying they were easier to sell than unisex editions. MORE