The News Matrix: Wednesday 3 December 2014

Civilian staff to strike for more pay

Police civilian staff in England and Wales are to strike for better pay. Members of Unison, including community support officers and fingerprint experts, backed industrial action over a one per cent pay offer. Unions are seeking three per cent after wage freezes or below inflation deals for the past three years. “Police staff have had enough,” said Unison general secretary Dave Prentis.

The ‘hidden’ cost of keeping Britain tidy

Litter costs hundreds of millions of pounds a year in “hidden” costs, Keep Britain Tidy has found. As well as the cost of keeping streets tidy, litter also increases criminal activity, affects mental well-being and lowers house prices, the report, by Eunomia Research & Consulting, said.

Saudi criticises the West’s battle tactics

A member of the Saudi Royal family has condemned the West for their actions in battling the terrorist group Isis. Prince Turki al-Faisal, a former head of the kingdom’s intelligence service, also criticised Britain and France for limiting air strikes to Iraq.

Leading hotel tells mother to cover up

A mother has been told to cover up while breastfeeding at Claridge’s, the London hotel. Louise Burns, 35, Tweeted pictures with her 12-week-old baby, and wrote: “Asked to cover up with this ridiculous shroud while #breastfeeding.” The hotel later offered her a £75 discount.

Proposal to ease housing shortage

The Government has unveiled plans to build thousands of homes in an attempt to combat the chronic housing shortage. A small town containing up to 10,000 properties will initially be developed at a derelict RAF base in Cambridgeshire.

Elections likely after ministers dismissed

The Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked his Finance and Justice Ministers yesterday, signalling the break-up of his coalition and opening the way for early elections. Mr Netanyahu announced that he wanted to dissolve parliament “as soon as possible”.

Costa Concordia captain in court

The former captain of the Costa Concordia said he brought the liner close to shore as a treat to passengers. Francesco Schettino denies charges of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning ship.

Ban on MPs by China is ‘not fitting’

China’s blocking of a UK parliamentary fact-finding mission to Hong Kong shows the country’s weakness, will harm its financial interests, and is not fitting behaviour, MPs have said during an emergency debate. China rebuffed as “useless” complaints about the ban.

It’s Downton vs Mrs Brown’s Boys

ITV’s flagship drama Downton Abbey is to go up against the BBC’s ratings hit Mrs Brown’s Boys in the battle for Christmas Day viewers. The two-hour Downton special faces competition from the Irish comedy, starring Brendan O’Carroll, in the evening.

JK’s Harvard speech to be published

JK Rowling’s new book will offer no magic – only words of wisdom. Publisher Little, Brown announced yesterday that Rowling’s 2008 Harvard commencement speech will be released in April as the book Very Good Lives. Proceeds will be donated to Lumos, a charity for disadvantaged children.

Ancient tree to sparkle once again

Possibly Britain’s oldest Christmas tree will be decorated for the first time in a century, English Heritage has said. The 100ft tall Wellingtonia was planted on Wrest Park country estate in Bedfordshire in 1856 by Tory politician Thomas de Grey and was taken indoors each year to be decorated before being replanted.

Scorsese and Jagger make their TV move

HBO is diving into the world of rock in 1970s New York with a new television series from Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger and the creator of Boardwalk Empire. The yet-to-be-titled drama series will feature Ray Romano, from Everybody Loves Raymond, as a record label’s head of promotions.

Licensed to be sold, some 007 treasures

Fans of the James Bond films are being offered the chance to pick up some original 007 items at a Beverly Hills auction. The jet from the opening scene of Octopussy is up for grabs – although it comes with an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000 – as is the hovercraft used in Die Another Day from 2002.