The News Matrix: Monday 21 May 2012

Call to investigate abuse by minorities abuse

More needs to be done to tackle abuse within minority communities, the Asian prosecutor Nazir Afzal has said. Mr Afzal, who reopened the case against nine men convicted of raping white teenagers in Rochdale, cited children being married off in traveller communities. MORE

Six die as earthquake rips through Bologna

An earthquake in northern Italy killed at least six people, injured dozens and damaged historic buildings yesterday, sending thousands running into the streets. The 6.0 magnitude quake struck at 4:04 am and was followed by a series of jolting aftershocks. MORE

Dissident Chen arrives from China

Blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng arrived in the US on Saturday and declared "equality and justice have no boundaries" after China let him leave to quell a diplomatic rift. Chen escaped from house arrest last month and sought refuge in the US Embassy. MORE

Court translator firm faces inquiry by MPs

The contractor that supplies court translators could be investigated by MPs following a series of gaffes that resulted in trials collapsing. One interpreter working for Applied Language Solutions mistakenly dubbed a defendant accused of perverting the course of justice a "pervert".

Disability benefit cut 'threatens sport'

Disability benefit cuts threaten the development of athletes and the Olympic legacy goal of bringing more disabled people into sport, claims the Paralympian Lady Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Cameron risks split over workers' rights

Plans to make it easier to sack employees risk causing an open split in the Coalition if David Cameron pushes ahead, Liberal Democrats have warned. The Beecroft Report, which is written by the Tory Party donor Adrian Beecroft, reportedly includes a move to reduce the consultation period before a company can make redundancies. MORE

Nato withdrawal on track, leaders insist

Nato leaders meeting in Chicago today will insist that plans remain on track to pull combat troops out of Afghanistan in controlled phases by the end of 2014, following a transition period that will see responsibility for national security handed to an Afghan national force. MORE

Out of the frying pan and into the fire...

A former aide to the Mayor of London has a new job in News International's communications team. Guto Harri, who was Boris Johnson's external affairs director for four years, said he turned down an offer to work at a big PR firm in favour of the post at Rupert Murdoch's media company.

Gay front-runner for NY mayor marries

Christine Quinn, New York's highest-ranking openly gay city official and the leading candidate to be the next mayor, married her longtime girlfriend on Saturday, less than a year after New York legalised same-sex marriage.

Remove this Staines on our character...

A much-maligned Surrey town is aiming for a change in fortunes after changing its name. Staines, home to Ali G, is now Staines-upon-Thames. Councillors say it will shake off negative connotations but some residents say the move is pointless. MORE

Zuckerberg changes status to married

Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg wed longtime girlfriend Priscilla Chan on Saturday, announcing the nuptials through a status update on the social networking site. MORE

Charts show we love to love Donna

Disco diva Donna Summer's death has sparked a resurgence of interest in her dancefloor hits. Five of her singles re-entered the top 200 this weekend.