The News Matrix: Tuesday 1 March 2011

Cameron warns Gaddafi of sanctions

David Cameron yesterday warned the Libyan regime that world leaders could impose a no-fly zone over the country and even arm rebel leaders, as international attempts to pressure Muammar Gaddafi to relinquish power intensified. MORE

Desmond launches lottery for health

It could be you and you – after media baron Richard Desmond launched a Lottery yesterday. He hopes the health lottery will raise £50m a year for charitable projects outside the funding of the NHS. He says the venture will not compete with Camelot’s National Lottery. MORE

At last, women gain the upper hand

After decades in which women have endured a lack of opportunities, poor economic prospects and the pressures of running a family, the scales are tipping in their favour. Men are the ones who face a “depressing future,” researchers say. MORE

Last US Great War veteran dies at 110

Frank Buckles, who lied about his age to get into uniform during the First World War and lived to be the last surviving US veteran of that war, has died. He was 110. MORE

Theft at Vodafone affects customers

Hundreds of thousands of Vodafone customers were left unable to use their phones yesterday after important communications equipment was stolen during a break-in at one of the company’s technical facilities near Basingstoke in Hampshire. MORE

Could origins of life be extra-terrestrial?

Scientists have found evidence life on earth could have been delivered from space. A study of meteorites in Antarctica revealed they can be made to emit relatively large amounts of nitrogen-containing ammonia, vital for the origin of life. MORE

Briton sentenced to life for killing two

A British security contractor who was facing the death penalty in Iraq for killing two men and trying to kill a third has been given a life sentence instead. Danny Fitzsimons, 30, is the first Westerner to be tried since the start of the war in 2003. MORE

Oil spill fears as dead dolphins discovered

The discovery of more than 80 dead dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico is raising fresh concerns about the effect on sea life from last year’s massive BP oil spill. The dead dolphins began appearing in mid-January along the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama in the US. MORE

Shops criticised for alcohol placement

Supermarkets should stop displaying alcohol next to everyday items such as bread and milk, health campaigners have said. Stores are “overflowing” with discounted alcohol, says Alcohol Concern, which is urging supermarkets and off-licences to display drink in only one part of their shops.

Dog show to honour heroic mutts

Heroic dogs including those used in the 7/7 bombings and the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake will compete for a Crufts award later this month.The award will be given on the last night of the show on 13 March, after a public vote organised via the Crufts website.

Stephen Fry plays the Bard in Klingon

Stephen Fry may be used to conversing in 140 characters but the Twitter-mad TV presenter has gone one step further in his interpretation of language – performing in Klingon. On Sunday, the star performed a scene from Hamlet in the fictional dialect. He shared the stage with the Washington Shakespeare Company, as both were being filmed for a BBC documentary.

‘Fish pedicures’ may spread infections

Health experts are investigating the potential risks of people catching infections from fish pedicures. The high street treatment, which involves dozens of tiny Garra Rufa fish nibbling on customers’ feet, is being examined by the Health Protection Agency.

Shoreditch artists to design relay torch

The torch that will carry the Olympic Flame for the London 2012 Games will be designed by a pair of artists from Shoreditch. Design duo Professors Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby are to create the torch which will be carried by 8,000 bearers in the 70-day British relay.

Winnie’s glasses up for auction

A pair of spectacles belonging to Sir Winston Churchill have gone on sale at auction. The tortoise shell glasses were made for the former prime minister in 1954 and will be sold with their blue leather case by auctioneers JP Humbert, of Towcester, Northamptonshire, on March 17.