The News Matrix: Wednesday 13 November 2013

Cameron defends trip to Sri Lanka

David Cameron last night defended his decision not to follow the leaders of Canada and India in boycotting the Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka, claiming any such move would be counter-productive. He said the summit would “focus the eyes of the world on Sri Lanka” and put pressure on the country’s government to address human-rights abuses.

Massage will wreck career, Rooney told

England striker Wayne Rooney was told by the receptionist of a massage parlour to cover his face and get out “before he was destroyed and his career was over”, the Old Bailey heard yesterday. Newspapers claimed Patricia Tierney had sex with him in the massage parlour in 2004.

Delhi bus rapist protests innocence

One of the men convicted and sentenced to death in the brutal gang-rape and murder of a female student in Delhi has protested his innocence in an interview with i. While waiting for his appeal to begin, Vinay Sharma claimed he was not present when the attack took place. MORE

Key NHS worker told to leave country

An Australian woman facing deportation after nine years working with vulnerable children has become a pin-up for the shambolic state of the UK Border Agency. Mariam Miller was given 28 days’ notice to leave after waiting years for a response to an application to stay. MORE

Warren urged to run for President in 2016

A growing number of Democrats are privately urging Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren to consider a 2016 presidential bid, according to a new profile of the popular Bay State Democrat. Warren is seen as a liberal alternative to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. MORE

Two dead and three hurt in shop blast

An explosive device killed two people and wounded three others at a gold and diamond exchange in a Johannesburg suburb yesterday. Local media reported the business was run by Czech entrepreneur Radovan Krejcir, who survived an assassination attempt in the city in July.

Pussy Riot woman sent to Siberia

Imprisoned Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova has been moved to a Siberian jail, said Russia’s human rights ombudsman. Her location had been unknown, and her husband had heard nothing for weeks.

Bid to overthrow ‘bedroom tax’ fails

A vote to overturn the so-called “bedroom tax”failed in Parliament by 26 votes last night. The vote to abolish the contgroversial measure was lost despite various Liberal Democrats voting for the immediate termination of the policy following a debate on its flaws. MORE

Swine flu jab firm sued over narcolepsy

Nearly 40 people, including 19 children, who allegedly developed narcolepsy after being given the swine flu vaccine are suing the drug’s maker, Glaxosmithkline. An indemnity agreement however means the Government will have to pay out if they are successful.

State of emergency ends two days early

The government has ended the three-month state of emergency, two days earlier than planned, after a court ruled it had expired. It has also lifted a curfew aimed at countering protests by supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi.

Heroes free cyclist trapped under car

Ten men were hailed as heroes yesterday for freeing a cyclist trapped under a car after a crash in east London. They lifted the VW Golf off Claire Pepper, 27, and on to its side. Speaking from hospital, the photographer said: “They saved my life.”

Residents see red over yellow lines

Double yellow lines in a Lincolnshire street caused a stir because they were too wide and bright. The lines in Louth should have been a light primrose, because it is in a conservation area. A spokesman for the council said workers realised the mistake after residents complained.

New website may help expose Mafia

Italian computer experts have created a new website where anonymous informants and victims of organised crime can report Mafia activity. Mafialeaks will encourage victims, or even former mobsters, to relay information to police, magistrates and journalists without fear of reprisal. MORE

Fiennes example of divided loyalty

Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes is to write a history of the Battle of Agincourt, tracing the lives of his ancestors who fought on different sides. Three of the explorer’s forebears took up arms in the English force. Another, Robert Fiennes, was the head of the French army.

Wahlberg brothers in burger TV show

A new reality show will star Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg and his brother as the pair run a hamburger restaurant. The show will be titled Wahlburgers and set in the family’s Boston restaurant. Actor brothers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg will join forces with older brother Paul.

Jazz improvisation can boost the brain

Jazz and blues musicians increase the connectivity of their brains as they learn to improvise, a study by the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found. It enables them to “go with the flow” with little conscious thought, and may help certain brain functions become effortless.

Toronto Mayor vows to keep on working

The Toronto Mayor, Rob Ford, says he will fight any attempt to have him take a leave of absence in the wake of a crack-smoking scandal. A motion before the city council today asks the province of Ontario to pass legislation to remove him if he doesn’t voluntarily take a leave of absence.

World Trade Centre wins by a needle

The new World Trade Centre tower in New York knocked Chicago’s Willis Tower off its pedestal as the tallest building in the US when an international panel of architects announced yesterday that the needle atop the New York skyscraper can be counted when measuring its height.

Blumenthal to serve up terminal treats

Heston Blumenthal is to launch a restaurant at Heathrow’s new £2.5bn Terminal 2, due to open next June. The menu will be inspired by his In Search Of Perfection TV series. The celebrity chef plans a “broad spectrum of easy-to-enjoy dishes”, including fish and chips and pizza.

Go north, urges ex-No10 policy adviser

Institutions like the British Museum and the Royal Opera House should be relocated to the north of England, a former No 10 policy adviser has argued in a new report. The BBC’s move to Salford could pave the way for other high-profile shifts, Dr Patrick Diamond said.