The News Matrix: Tuesday 15 October 2013

Up to 30 hospitals in Savile inquiry

Up to 30 hospitals could be investigated in relation to alleged sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile. An NHS investigation into Savile is to be widened, with his conduct at hospitals not previously linked to wrongdoing to be examined for the first time. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said an inquiry into how Savile used hospitals to get access to children was now likely to be delayed.

Washington battles to end shutdown

Frantic behind-closed-doors efforts were accelerating in Washington yesterday to craft a stop-gap fiscal package to temporarily reopen the government and authorise an increase in America’s debt ceiling before Thursday when the Treasury expects to run out of cash. MORE

10-year-old arrested for pensioner death

A 10-year-old boy has been arrested over the death of an elderly man who collapsed in the street. The pensioner, named locally as Victor Hepworth, 79, was found lying in the street with a head injury in Harehills, Leeds after an argument. The boy was released on bail last night.

Kerry optimistic on nuclear talks

The international community and Iran will begin talks over the country’s nuclear programme today in a mood of cautious optimism. The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has declared that the window for diplomacy and constructive dialogue with Iran is “cracking open”. MORE

Secret filming could focus on care homes

Hidden cameras and “mystery shoppers” could be used to keep tabs on care homes under proposals being considered by the Care Quality Commission. Britain’s first Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, Andrea Sutcliffe, will today publish her plans for revising the regulations. MORE

PM backs easing the hunting ban

David Cameron angered animal activists by backing moves to ease the ban on fox hunting. The 2004 Hunting Act bans hunting with dogs, but an exception allows farmers to use two dogs for pest control. Campaigners claim farmers should be allowed to use packs of hounds. MORE

Rihanna’s tweets see bar owner arrested

Authorities have arrested a bar owner in in the resort destination of Phuket in connection with a sex show mentioned in racy Twitter posts by pop star Rihanna during her recent trip to Thailand.

Patrols to be tripled after boat tragedies

Italy is preparing to triple sea patrols off its southern coast to avoid a repeat of deadly shipwrecks that killed more than 360 migrants near the Italian island of Lampedusa earlier this month. Premier Enrico Letta met senior ministers to beef-up Italy’s military presence. MORE

Murder inquiry after man killed by lorry

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man was hit by a lorry while chasing a suspected robber from a shop in east London. The 43-year-old is thought to have been pushed under a lorry by the suspect. Last night no arrests had been made after the incident in Barking.

Some will avoid pounding the beat

A 184-year-old tradition of all police officers working a stint as a bobby on the beat is to come to an end with a radical overhaul. Since Robert Peel founded the Metropolitan Police in 1829 the only way to enter the force has been to join as a constable.

Shortfall forecast in ‘bedroom tax’ take

The financial savings generated by the “bedroom tax” may have been significantly exaggerated by the Government. Researchers found the controversial policy was likely to save £160m less in its first year than the projected £480m. MORE