The News Matrix: Monday 4 February 2013

French hit Islamist camps from the air

French troops launched airstrikes on Islamic militant camps and arms depots around Kidal and Tessalit in Mali, defence officials, as the first supply convoy to eastern Mali headed across the country. The attacks came just hours after President François Hollande left Malian soil.

Murderer freed by mistake recaptured

Police have recaptured a convicted murderer freed by mistake at a northern Illinois home. The arrest came two days after a stunning series of errors allowed Steven Robbins to walk out of a Chicago jail.

Hynde daughter's woodland vow

Natalie Hynde, daughter of the Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde and the Kinks' Ray Davies, has vowed that the war "has only just begun" in her battle to protect ancient Sussex woodland. MORE

Minister hints Israel behind Syria attack

Israel's defence minister indicated Sunday his country was behind an air strike on Syria that US officials said targeted anti-aircraft weapons bound for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. It was the first public comment by an Israeli government official on the Wednesday strike. MORE

London properties outstrip rest of UK

The growing disparity between house prices in London and the south-east and those in the rest of the UK was revealed yesterday. Research shows the net total value of properties in 10 London boroughs outstrips the worth of properties in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland combined. MORE

Berlusconi pledges to abolish home tax

Vying for re-election, the media mogul Silvio Berlusconi has promised Italians that if they vote him back into office, he will abolish an unpopular tax on primary residences and refund property taxes the Premier Mario Monti's government made them pay in 2012. It was a key austerity measure to rescue the country from the eurozone debt crisis.

Man charged over 16-year-old's murder

Police yesterday charged a 22-year-old man with the murder of a 16-year-old girl whose body was found in an alleyway. David Minto will appear at Blackpool Magistrates' Court tomorrow. Sasha Marsden was found in the South Shore area of the resort on Thursday night.

Malala's surgery was successful

A schoolgirl shot in Pakistan has been operated on successfully. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham said Malala Yousafzai underwent cranial reconstruction and received cochlear implants. MORE

Navy Seal author killed at gun range

A former Navy Seal who wrote a best-selling book about his experiences was fatally shot along with another man on Saturday at a Texas gun range, local media reported. Author Chris Kyle and a second man were found dead at Rough Creek Lodge's shooting range. MORE

Police victim blames assault on protesters

A man who was beaten and dragged across the ground naked by Egyptian riot police on Friday was shown on television blaming the incident on demonstrators. A video of Hamada Saber, 48, being beaten has enraged anti-government protesters. MORE

Class and accent are a factor in bullying

Children from wealthy homes are more likely to be bullied at school because of their background. A study reveals almost 8 per cent have suffered bullying as a result of their social class – if their parents were rich or they had "posh" accents.