The News Matrix: Monday 26 November 2012

Charities criticise NHS online plans

Charities have criticised cost-cutting plans to move some NHS services online. The Government says the proposals would support "people with long-term health conditions". But the British Heart Foundation says elderly and deprived patients are unlikely to benefit. MORE

PM 'open-minded' on press regulation

David Cameron remains "open-minded" about this week's Leveson Inquiry report on press regulation, Downing Street insisted yesterday. No 10 was trying to quell claims that the Prime Minister would resist compulsory regulation amid growing evidence of opposition in the Cabinet to statutory oversight of newspapers. MORE

Perils of high heels and coffee cups

Drivers wearing high heels, coffee cups and bottles rolling under brake pedals have all nearly caused motorists to crash, according to research by More Than insurance.

Outrage at Queen's estate housing plans

The Queen's private estate plans to build thousands of houses on Green Belt land, sparking outrage from villagers who say the proposals put farmers' livelihoods at risk. The Duchy of Lancaster said the proposals were in their "very early days".  MORE

Amateurs keen to crack mystery code

Amateur sleuths have lined up to try to decrypt a Second World War message which has left security experts stumped. The string of letters was found attached to the skeleton of a pigeon up a chimney at a house in Bletchingley, Surrey.

Star-studded turnout for theatre awards

Danny Boyle, Judi Dench and David Hare were among those honoured at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards last night. The star-studded event recognised both established and up-and-coming names in London theatre, including the youngest playwright to take home a Best Play gong. MORE

Railway Children star Sheridan dies

Dinah Sheridan, the actress who played the mother in The Railway Children, died peacefully in her home aged 92 yesterday. Sheridan was surrounded by her family in Northwood, Middlesex, her agent said. MORE

Egypt: Morsi decree sends shares plunging

Shares plunged by nearly 10 per cent yesterday in the first trading since Egypt's Islamist President assumed sweeping powers. Mohamed Morsi's decree on Thursday places him above oversight of any kind, including that of the courts. The move has thrown Egypt's transition to democracy into further turmoil. MORE

Spain: Catalonia divided over independence

Catalonia's nationalist movement made significant gains in crucial regional elections yesterday – but a split in the vote between conservative and left-wing parties means that a referendum on independence for the breakaway region remains in doubt.  MORE

Bangladesh: 109 killed in clothes factory inferno

At least 109 people were killed in a garment factory fire just outside the capital of Dhaka, late on Saturday. By yesterday morning, firefighters had recovered 100 bodies. Bangladesh has some 4,000 garment factories, many without proper safety measures. MORE

India: Boris who? Locals mystified by Mayor

Confused locals in Delhi mistook the London Mayor Boris Johnson for the King of England and tennis legend Boris Becker yesterday. Mr Johnson was visiting a Hindu temple when it emerged his audience didn't all know who he was. MORE

France: The end is nigh – so get to the Pyrenees

The mayor of Bugarach is stepping up security because of fears of an invasion of Mayans following Mayan belief that it will be the only place left after an apocalypse next month.