The News Matrix: Tuesday 3 July 2012

Tories fail to pin blame on euro crisis

The Government has failed to persuade the public that the eurozone crisis is mainly responsible for the recession in Britain, according to a poll for i. The ComRes survey suggests people are evenly divided over whether Government policy or the single currency is to blame. The Tories have repeatedly claimed the euro turmoil is having a "chilling effect" on the UK economy. MORE

Three soldiers killed by Afghan policeman

Three British soldiers have been shot dead by an Afghan man in police uniform at a checkpoint in Helmand Province. Their killer was also shot but survived and is under guard. It is the latest incident in which Afghan policemen and soldiers have turned on the men training them. MORE

June the wettest in the UK since 1910

June was the wettest in the UK since rainfall records began in 1910, according to Met Office figures. It was also very cold for the time of year, and more than usually dull with just 119.2 hours of sunshine. Total UK rainfall was 145.3mm – twice as much as you would normally expect. MORE

Man is shot in solicitor's office

A man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries yesterday after he was shot in a solicitors office in Wiltshire. Emergency services rushed to the incident at David Nolder & Co on St John's Street in Devizes. An air ambulance airlifted the man to hospital in Bristol.

Shetland hostel named best in world

A Scottish youth hostel has been rated as the best in the world. Islesburgh House in Lerwick, the main town in Shetland, triumphed over 3,700 other hostels in the Hostelling International survey. It scored top marks for comfort, efficiency and friendliness. MORE

Tennis hawk is back with his owners

Rufus the Hawk, left, snatched by thieves during the first week of Wimbledon, was back at the tennis tournament yesterday after being reunited with his owners. The bird was found on Wimbledon Common.

Spy boss quits due to neo-Nazi criticism

The head of Germany's domestic intelligence agency is stepping down amid criticism surrounding investigations into a far-right group suspected to have killed 10 people, mostly of Turkish origin, over several years. MORE

Gillard defends new carbon tax

Prime minister Julia Gillard has sought to calm anxieties over a new carbon tax "stoked by a fear campaign" waged by opposition leader Tony Abbott. Two-thirds of people oppose the tax and more than half say they will be worse off.

Four ICC staffers released

A Libyan militia yesterday released four International Criminal Court staffers who had been held for nearly four weeks on allegations that they shared documents that could harm national security with Muammar Gaddafi's imprisoned son Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who was captured by rebels from Zintan and has been held in the town ever since.

Cash-strapped high school 'sells itself'

A cash-strapped high school near Philadelphia hopes to raise money by auctioning itself on eBay. Officials at The Learning Center are seeking bids starting around $600,000 (£380,000) to offset steep budget cuts. The winner won't own the school, but will get a naming opportunity and a free large pizza.

Extreme Islamists destroy Sufi tombs

Despite international condemnation, the radical Islamic faction controlling the northern Malian outpost of Timbuktu continued destroying the city's ancient tombs yesterday. Ansar Dine descended on the tombs of the city's Sufi saints with axes and shovels, as well as automatic weapons, saying that they were idolatrous.

Fragrant Bon Jovi promotes perfume

Jon Bon Jovi is to become the latest celebrity to endorse a perfume, with the 50-year-old rock star appearing in ads for Unplugged for Her, a floral oriental perfume, and Unplugged for Him, a woody floral musk fragrance. Avon said the inspiration for both scents is the feeling of listening to a favourite song.