The News Matrix: Monday 19 March 2012

Bolton footballer in critical condition

The England under-21 player and Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba remained "anaesthetised" and in a critical condition in hospital yesterday. The player collapsed on the pitch on Saturday and doctors worked for two hours to get his heart beating again. MORE

Coptic fears after death of Shenouda

The death of Pope Shenouda III has cast a shadow over Egypt's Coptic Christian community. In office for 40 years, Shenouda acted as protection for the 10 million Copts, many of whom fear that Islamists are intent on driving them out of the country. MORE

New line for pottery saved by royal funds

The last working Victorian pottery is turning over a new line for the Queen's jubilee. The Middleport Pottery in Stoke almost closed last June but the Prince of Wales' Regeneration Trust is providing £7.5 million.

UK journalists freed after month in jail

Two UK journalists held for nearly a month over accusations of entering Libya illegally have been released. Gareth Montgomery-Johnson, of Carmarthen, and Nicholas Davies-Jones, of Berkshire, worked for the Iranian broadcaster Press TV. They were detained on 22 February.

Stabbing at boxer's home investigated

Police are investigating the death of a man found stabbed at the home of two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Herbie Hide. The man, in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the house near Norwich yesterday. Mr Hide is not believed to have been there at the time of the incident. MORE

UK's wildlife under threat from drought

Wildlife across Britain is in danger because of the drought sweeping the country, the Environment Agency has warned. Water levels in rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands are so low that a whole series of species may be unable to breed or may die if the rain stays away, the agency says. Birds, aquatic insects, freshwater fish, water voles and other waterlife are most in danger. MORE

Three people killed in Aleppo bomb blast

At least three people were killed in a suspected bombing in the Syrian city of Aleppo yesterday, while President Assad's forces clamped down on planned opposition rallies that would have marked the first anniversary of the rebellion. Both sides blamed each other for the Aleppo blast. MORE

Royal Mail closer to being privatised

The privatisation of the Royal Mail could come a step closer this week if, as expected, the Government announces it will take control of its pension fund. The move would wipe out most of the organisation's debts, making it attractive to buyers.

Crackdown on bar hours and prices

The opening hours and prices of bars in the Houses of Parliament are to be looked at in a crackdown to tackle the drinking culture among MPs. The investigation comes after the MP Eric Joyce attacked another MP in the Strangers' Bar. MORE

Military Wives are number one with UK

The Military Wives Choir's debut album has hit the top. The Official Charts Company says In My Dreams was number one two weeks after its release. A choir spokeswoman said the achievement had a "particularly special meaning" on Mother's Day.

Researchers find 'gluttony gene'

Those feeling guilty about over-indulging on Mother's Day chocolates can take comfort from research that suggests gluttony is in the genes. The discovery of a gene that regulates that "full-up" feeling could bring new treatments. MORE

New frog species found in New York

Scientists have discovered a new species of leopard frog in New York in the area around the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Other leopard frogs have been found in the city's marshy areas.

Zoo's panda birth may be live online

The birth of Edinburgh Zoo's first baby panda may be streamed live online. Giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang arrived in the zoo last December from China.