The News Matrix: Thursday 23 June 2011

Probe into woman officer’s death at sea

The Royal Navy is investigating the death of a woman officer while at sea on one of its ships. Lieutenant Sara Hellawell was found dead on board HMS Edinburgh last Thursday when the destroyer, was alongside Angola, south-west Africa.

Talks held to stop rioting in Belfast

Politicians, police and community leaders in Northern Ireland were yesterday seeking to persuade loyalist paramilitaries to call off the rioting in east Belfast. Three people have been shot as loyalists and Catholics clashed in the city. MORE

Anger at threat to rights of detainees

Kenneth Clarke has threatened to scrap people’s right to free advice from a solicitor if they are arrested. Critics said the plan, part of a £2bn cost-cutting drive by the Justice Secretary, would undermine detainees’ right to equal treatment. MORE

Panetta confirmed as defence secretary

Leon Panetta was yesterday confirmed as the new US defence secretary hours before his boss, President Barack Obama, was set to announce the withdrawal of as many as 10,000 US troops from Afghanistan. MORE

First Lady meets Soweto’s women

Michelle Obama delivered a speech in Soweto telling African women they symbolised the generation of hope. She told the audience women were no longer “second-class citizens”.

Top officer warns of growing cyber threat

Britain’s top police officer, Sir Paul Stephenson, said yesterday that cyber crime had become a major menace. Ryan Cleary, a 19-year-old from Essex, was charged yesterday with hacking into the website of the UK’s Serious Organised Crime Agency. MORE

Milly Dowler jurors sent home for night

The 11 Old Bailey jurors trying Levi Bellfield for the abduction and murder of schoolgirl Milly Dowler were sent home last night after retiring to consider their verdict. They have heard four weeks of evidence. The case continues today.

Al Capone revolver sells for £67,000

A gun belonging to the gangster Al Capone fetched £67,250 at auction. The Colt .38 was made in 1929, months after the Chicago mobster ordered the St Valentine’s Day Massacre.

Pottermore launch hit by glitch

The launch of Pottermore, an online “follow up” project to the Harry Potter books by JK Rowling, was stymied yesterday after it emerged that a public relations executive had sent journalists details of a confidential PR strategy document relating to the event.

Geese that trouble jets will be cooked

New York City plans to capture geese that threaten departing planes and cook them for the poor, city officials said. The aim is to avoid incidents like the forced landing of a jet in the Hudson River in January 2009 after geese were caught in the engine.

Surgeon critical of Cameron takes break

David Nunn, the orthopaedic surgeon blamed for startling the Prime Minister and his deputy when he interrupted a photocall at Guy’s Hospital to complain about the hygiene compliance of the film crew, has unexpectedly gone on leave. MORE

Wimbledon bosses under fire for closure

Health and safety bosses have criticised Wimbledon chiefs for using legislation to shut Murray Mound when it rains. History was made at SW19 on Monday when the giant screen was turned off for the first time at Murray Mound as officials feared fans would slip and injure themselves. MORE

Waves of anger at lifesavers’ name

OED: Lifeguard (noun), a person employed to rescue bathers who get into difficulty at a beach or pool. But Surf Life Saving Australia, representing volunteer lifesavers wants to trademark the term – to the fury of local professionals. MORE

Ice cream stores sue TV reporter

A chain of ice cream stores in Long Island, New York, is suing a TV reporter who claimed its desserts are less healthy than advertised. Arnold Diaz, a reporter for Fox 5 News, was named in the lawsuit filed by Matthew Prince who owns D’Lites Emporium.

Darwin’s notes made available online

Notes and comments scribbled by Charles Darwin on pages of books in his personal library have been made available online for the first time, providing an insight into his thoughts as he wrote On The Origin of Species.

Flash cars hold the key to dating success

A recent study by Texan researchers proves what single men have known for a long time: chicks dig hot cars. Men who wear expensive clothes and drive flashy cars are more successful at having flings and staying single, said the researchers in San Antonio.

Peeping Tom found in woman’s toilet

Police in Colorado say a woman who stepped inside a portable toilet at a yoga festival discovered a man hiding in the tank below when she lifted the toilet lid. Boulder police say a man in his 20s is being sought for the attempt to make unlawful sexual contact.