The News Matrix: Tuesday 8 January 2013

Delhi gang-rape trial to be held in private

The media has been banned from court in hearings for the five men accused of raping and killing a young student in Delhi. The magistrate Namrita Aggarwal upheld a prosecution request for a closed hearing after hundreds of journalists, lawyers from other cases and curious onlookers had crowded the court where the five were to appear. page 6

Man charged over teenager's death

A man has been charged after a 13-year-old girl was killed in a car crash in south London. The teenager died when her family's car was rammed by a Peugeot 308 involved in a police chase. Devon Newell, 32, of Peckham, was charged yesterday with causing death by dangerous driving.

Bankers to explain PPI debacle to MPs

MPs and peers will question the bankers at the centre of the scandal over mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) schemes. The Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards has written to the major banks demanding to know who devised the sales policies.

Mother killed son over Koran failings

A Muslim mother who murdered her son for failing to memorise passages from the Koran would regularly beat him, a court heard yesterday. Sara Ege, 33, was handed a life sentence at Cardiff Crown Court. She would subject seven-year-old Yaseen to "prolonged cruelty". MORE

Yard officer ‘asked paper for a bribe’

An anti-terrorism officer at Scotland Yard rang News of the World to offer “highly sensitive” inside information about a police inquiry in exchange for a bribe, a court heard yesterday. Detective Chief Inspector April Casburn allegedly made the call in the early morning just days after her employers launched a new investigation into phone hacking. MORE

Ennis criticises plan to close stadium

The Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis has spoken out against Sheffield City Council's plans to close the stadium where she first began training as an athlete. The local authority claims Don Valley Stadium is underused and each visit requires a £5 subsidy. MORE

Baftas tip the balance towards women

Women dominate the shortlist for this year's Bafta Rising Star Award. In 2012, not a single woman made the shortlist for the prestigious gong, but among the breakthrough talents recognised this time around are Juno Temple, the star of Killer Joe and Andrea Riseborough. Temple said yesterday: "It's good to redress the balance, to keep things even." MORE

Search goes on for wildfire victims

Searches were held for bodies among the charred ruins of more than 100 homes destroyed by wildfires in the Australian island state of Tasmania. About 100 residents remained unaccounted for, three days after the fires broke out. No casualties were reported from the fires but police said they need time to check for bodies. MORE

Newspaper at centre of censorship row

A row over censorship at a Chinese newspaper has turned into a political challenge for the country's new leadership. The Southern Weekend newspaper was forced to change a new year editorial calling for political reform into a tribute praising the ruling Communist Party, after a confrontation with the censor. MORE

Female models must 'dress becomingly'

Car-makers showing off their latest models at the Brussels motor show have been told to refrain from using scantily dressed women to promote their marques. Reports of lewd behaviour by some male visitors at last year's event prompted Belgium's Equal Opportunities Minister, Joelle Milquet, to write to the organisers.

Hundreds mourn elk shot by police

Several hundred people turned out for a vigil for an elk which was shot dead by a police officer. They lit candles, sang and told stories after it was killed in Boulder, Colorado. Officer Sam Carter, who posed with the carcass, and Brent Curnow, who is accused of processing it for meat, have been suspended from duty.

Old McDonald's changes signs

If you go looking for a McDonald's in Australia this month you may bump into a "Macca's" instead. The fast-food giant will temporarily change signs at selected stores across the country, the first time it has done so anywhere in the world, to its nickname used by 50 per cent of Australians to mark their national day.

Clinton returns to work after illness

Hillary Clinton returned to work yesterday after a month-long absence caused first by a stomach virus, then a fall and a concussion, and finally a brief spell in hospital for a blot clot near her brain. The US Secretary of State, pictured, presided over a senior staff meeting – the first she has convened since early December.