The News Matrix: Monday 9 May 2011

Islamabad probed over Bin Laden ties

Washington has pressed Pakistan to cooperate fully in an investigation into how Osama bin Laden found shelter in countryside near Islamabad. Officials have made claims that Bin Laden was directing al-Qa’ida from inside the compound where he was killed. MORE

Publicity drive to explain tuition fees

The Government has today launched an information campaign in an attempt to better explain changes to university fees. The publicity blitz will focus on how to get a student loan, living costs and financial support from the Government.

Sellafield plant could face closure

The future of a controversial nuclear fuel processor at Sellafield, Cumbria, hangs in the balance this week after Japan’s Prime Minister called for a nuclear power station near Tokyo, set to be the UK plant’s most important customer, to be shut. MORE

Spanish PM’s tribute to champion Seve

The Spanish prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, yesterday paid tribute to five-time major golf champion Seve Ballesteros, who died on Saturday MORE

Attack on sending refugees to Malaysia

Australia’s initiative to deter asylum seekers by sending them to Malaysia was condemned yesterday, with critics noting Kuala Lumpur had a record of mistreating refugees. The government has agreed to send 800 asylum-seekers to Kuala Lumpur. MORE

Eighteen killed in jailbreak attempt

Huthaifa al-Batawi, known as the “Emir of Baghdad” and accused of a deadly attack on a Catholic church, was killed with 10 other al-Qa’ida militants during a jailbreak attempt in Baghdad yesterday. A total of 18 people died during the battle. MORE

Al Fayed to launch film about Diana

The former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed will attend the Cannes Film Festival this month to launch a film about the death of Princess Diana. The film, made by Lily Allen’s actor father Keith, says “vital evidence” was withheld. MORE

Doctors warn PM about NHS reforms

The head of the professional body for doctors has warned David Cameron that the NHS must not be undermined as a result of reforms. Dr Clare Gerada, of the Royal College of General Practitioners, outlined “serious concerns” regarding the proposals.

i circus campaign on Commons schedule

i's campaign to ban wild animals in British circuses is to be highlighted in Parliament. As well as thousands of i readers pledging their support, Labour frontbenchers have vowed to call for Government action in the Commons on Thursday. MORE

Brigitte Bardot’s ex kills himself

Gunter Sachs, a German photographer known for his playboy lifestyle and a brief marriage to Brigitte Bardot, has committed suicide. Sachs, 78, married Bardot in 1966. He was suffering from an incurable degenerative disease.

Adele is back on top after a Foo days’ rest

Adele has topped the album chart for a 14th week, reclaiming the top spot after being knocked off briefly by US rock band Foo Fighters. The singer’s album 21 made history with 11 consecutive weeks at the top. Her debut album 19 was in third position.

Zeta Jones backs farm campaign

Hollywood star Catherine Zeta Jones is backing a £1m bid to save a Snowdonia beauty spot. The Welsh actress is supporting the fundraising campaign by the National Trust which wants to buy Llyndy Isaf, a farm in the Nant Gwynant valley. MORE

Protesters rally in support of ‘sluts’

Chanting “We love sluts”, about 2,000 protesters have marched in Boston in the latest protest known as a “Slut- Walk.” The movement was sparked by aToronto police officer’s remark that women could avoid being raped by not dressing like “sluts”.

Sleep’s a prickly issue for hedgehog

An overactive hedgehog has baffled his carers after refusing to hibernate. Pody was discovered in a garden in Bournemouth last year when he should have been sleeping in dry grass. The hedgehog was whisked off to the vets by an alarmed resident.

British strawberries benefit from weather

The warm weather has resulted in an early crop of strawberries, which are flying off supermarket shelves. Farmers reported the earliest crop for 20 years and double the normal yield. Foreign imports have now been cut to accommodate the glut of British fruit. MORE

Bullets and burqas from the front line

War reporters have submitted memorabilia of conflicts they have covered for an exhibition in Manchester. The trove of unusual items include a bullet that almost hit Kate Adie and a burqa which was worn by John Simpson to enable him to sneak into Afganistan. MORE

iPad rush leaves four in hospital

Four people were hospitalised and a glass door shattered after a frenzied scuffle among customers crowding to buy the new iPad2 in Beijing. A witness said a fight broke out in the queue at the Beijing Apple store on Saturday.

‘Rollerman’ takes on the party elite

China’s southern boomtown of Guangzhou has a new hero – “Rollerman”, a mysterious bespectacled foreigner on rollerblades who has taken to challenging government vehicles seen violating traffic rules. But there is some disquiet that it has taken a foreigner to make a stand. MORE

President is best man as 350 couples wed

Bolivian President Evo Morales was best man at a mass Andean wedding of 350 couples over the weekend. The ceremony was held in the capital La Paz, where Mr Morales gave a speech to the couples, who crowded the arena’s floor wearing multicoloured native ponchos and hats.

Madness frontman in dramatic debut

Madness frontman Suggs is to make his radio acting debut with a lead role in a new BBC Radio 4 drama. Suggs – real name Graham McPherson – plays an ageing musician in Deep Down And Dirty Rock’n’Roll, which is to be aired on 14 May.