The News Matrix: Thursday 25 April 2013

The price of Spice may surprise you

Albums by the Spice Girls and the Now That's What I Call Music compilations are among unlikely releases which are being prized by collectors. They are among a list of "ordinary records with extraordinary prices" compiled by Record Collector magazine, which in some cases could be worth hundreds of pounds.

Factory for Primark collapses, killing 87

Rescuers tried to free dozens of people believed trapped last night in a collapsed eight-storey building that housed garment factories, killing at least 87. Workers had complained about cracks in the building in Dhaka before it came tumbling down. It emerged yesterday that workers inside the devastated building were suppliers to the Primark clothing chain. MORE

Police pack service for Boston officer

Thousands of police attended a memorial yesterday for a university police officer who authorities say was shot dead by the Boston Marathon bombing suspects. At the service Vice-President Joe Biden praised officers for their dedication, saying: "I'm standing for you. You should not be standing for me."

Single Christians feel 'inadequate'

Four out of 10 unmarried Christians who aren't in a relationship feel "inadequate or ignored" at their church, a survey has found. A total of 37 per cent said they "did not feel treated as family members", while almost 43 per cent said their church didn't know what to do with them.  MORE

Cola drinkers more likely to get diabetes

People who drink a can of cola a day increase their risk of developing diabetes by a fifth, Imperial College London researchers have found. Sugary beverages cause weight gain, which is associated with a higher rate of Type 2 diabetes, and increase the risk of the condition independently. MORE

Europeans help rebel forces in their fight

The EU's anti-terror chief has warned that around 500 Europeans are fighting with rebel forces against Bashar al-Assad's regime. Gilles de Kerchove told the BBC that the UK, Ireland and France are among the countries estimated to have the highest numbers of fighters. MORE

Terrorists' chat saved on computer

Islamist militants who thought they had outwitted MI5 by holding a "silent conversation" on a laptop were caught when Microsoft Word automatically saved their deleted words. Richard Dart, 30, of Ealing, west London, and his accomplice discussed making explosives and waging war on civilians, the Old Bailey heard. MORE

Formal investigation over duchess photos

A magazine publisher and a photographer have been placed under formal investigation for the alleged invasion of the privacy of the Duchess of Cambridge. The accusations – not yet formal charges – concern photos published in Closer magazine and La Provence newspaper last year.

Letta asked to form new government

The Italian President, Giorgio Napolitano, yesterday asked the centre-left politician Enrico Letta from the Democratic Party to form a new government, signalling the end of a damaging two-month stalemate since elections in the eurozone's third largest economy were held last February.   MORE

'X Factor' boyband JLS call it a day

Thousands of young hearts were broken yesterday after the chart-topping boyband JLS announced they are to split. The group, who scored five number one hits after appearing on The X Factor in 2008, will disband after a farewell tour in December. "We have achieved more things than we could have ever dreamed possible," they said.

Pensioner fuel grant could be taxed

Pensioner perks such as the winter fuel allowance could be means-tested under plans to be considered during the government spending review. Taxing winter fuel payments and TV licences would save about £250m a year and affect 1.5 million elderly people. MORE

Foreign student numbers on the rise

Foreign students are propping up Britain's independent schools during the recession, official figures have revealed. Increasing applications from Russia, China and Nigeria meant the total number of foreign pupils rose by 1.4 per cent from September 2011 to 2012, while the number of British students stagnated. MORE

Freddie Starr facing fresh claims

Freddie Starr has been re-arrested over fresh allegations of sexual offences. The comedian was initially arrested under the "Savile and others" strand of Operation Yewtree. He has previously denied any wrongdoing.