The News Matrix: Monday 6 January 2014

ScottishPower cuts prices by 3.3 per cent

ScottishPower is to reduce prices by 3.3 per cent after coming under fire for failing to pass on savings from the Government’s green levy shake-up. The move will reduce typical household dual fuel bills by around £40 to £1,235 for its 2.2 million customers on variable price tariffs.

Continued fighting mars peace talks

A general in the South Sudan army was killed following an ambush by rebel forces in the state of Bor according to reports, as further fighting between the two sides marred the expected opening of peace talks between government officials and rebel leaders.

Violence erupts in opposition to vote

Over a dozen people were killed across the country as the government pushed ahead with an election that opposition parties are boycotting. The violence, which also included polling stations being set ablaze, contributed to a suspected low turnout. MORE

Police investigate warehouse birth

Detectives investigating the birth of a baby boy at a Sports Direct warehouse on New Year’s Day have arrested a woman on suspicion of wilful neglect. Derbyshire Constabulary said the 28-year-old was arrested by officers investigating the birth in Shirebrook, near Bolsover.

Plane slide halts JFK flights for two hours

A plane from Toronto sliding on a taxiway after landing at JFK Airport in New York yesterday halted flights for two hours, but there were no injuries. The cold weather brought plunging temperatures.

Boy arrested after explosives found

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested after suspected explosive substances were found at a house in Hull. Army bomb-disposal experts were called to the property with police, firefighters and paramedics following a tip-off. A number of families were moved out of their homes as a precaution. The teenager was arrested yesterday along with a 49-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man.

Supervolcanoes much more likely

The eruption of a “supervolcano”, which would send so much ash into the atmosphere it could destroy civilisation, is much more likely than previously thought. Scientists studying the Yellowstone National Park caldera say an eruption could happen without an earthquake to trigger it, as previously believed. MORE

Video may show Schumacher crash

Investigators into the skiing accident that left former champion driver Michael Schumacher with brain trauma have said they will look into an alleged mobile phone video showing the accident. German publication Der Spiegel said a 35-year-old man had told them he caught the accident while filming his girlfriend.

Next ‘Downton’ could be the last

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes has hinted that the next, fifth, series of the hit show could be its last. The ITV1 drama will return later this year, but Lord Fellowes told The Wall Street Journal that the saga will not “go on forever”.

Protesters reject plan to cull sharks

Thousands have demonstrated against plans to cull large sharks in Western Australia. The government wants to shoot any shark longer than three metres, following several fatal attacks. But protesters say the plan could damage the ecosystem.

Huge rise in China’s box office takings

The Chinese box office grew by over 20 per cent in 2013 to 21.8 billion yuan (£2.2bn), making it the second-largest cinema market in the world outside of the US.

Top sushi tuna a snip at £186 a kilo

Tokyo sushi restaurateur Kiyoshi Kimura paid about £43,000 at auction for a prize 230kg bluefin tuna, a fraction of the £900,000 he paid for a similar fish last year.