The News Matrix: Saturday 11 August 2012

Gu 'suffered a mental breakdown'

Gu Kailai, accused of poisoning British businessman Neil Heywood, yesterday claimed she suffered a "mental breakdown" before his death, and will "calmly face" any sentence. Ms Gu said she was worried for the safety of her son, who Mr Heywood is alleged to have threatened over business deals. MORE

'Wrong way' drunk lorry driver jailed

A Hungarian lorry driver who drove the wrong way up the M6 for three miles has been jailed for eight months. Pal Korbely, who knew his actions were "dangerous to the max", was drunk at the time. A 56-seater bus was forced on to the hard shoulder by his lorry.

Caution for man who painted post box gold

A man has been cautioned by police after painting his local pillar box gold to resemble those in locations around the country where athletes have won gold medals. Royal Mail has sploshed gold paint on the pillar boxes near the homes of gold medal-winning Olympians.

Serial rapist targets Ardèche campsites

A suspected serial rapist is preying on young girls holidaying on campsites in the Ardèche region of central France, police fear. Following the rape of an 11-year-old girl in the early hours of Wednesday, officers are linking the incident to other assaults that have taken place in the region.

Giving to the poor, Robin-Hood style

Police in Spain arrested five left-wing union activists for their alleged role in a "Robin Hood"-style looting of a supermarket to highlight the suffering of people in the country's recession. They made off with nine trolleys of food without paying before giving the food to the homeless.

Romney launches V-P smartphone app

Republican Mitt Romney is on the verge of choosing a vice-presidential running mate, but has given no hint of who he will pick. His campaign staff are using the suspense to their advantage, however, launching a smartphone app that they promise will be first with the news. MORE

Algerian is likely successor to Annan

Former Algerian foreign affairs minister and longtime UN official Lakhdar Brahimi is the leading candidate to replace the former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as peace envoy to Syria. Brahimi, 78, was credited with helping to end the Lebanese civil war. MORE

Serial killer Tobin suffers 'heart attack'

Peter Tobin, a serial killer serving life sentences for the murders of three young women, has suffered a suspected heart attack. Tobin, an inmate at Edinburgh's Saughton Prison, was taken to the city's Royal Infirmary by ambulance under police escort. MORE

Amy's ex-husband is on mend, says dad

Amy Winehouse's ex-husband is recovering from an apparent drink and drugs binge that saw him fighting for his life in hospital, according to the late singer's father. Mitch Winehouse said Blake Fielder-Civil, 30, "is going to get through this". He was rushed to hospital on Friday with organ failure.

Beastie Boy Adam in 'no ads' will demand

Beastie Boys star Adam Yauch, left, who died of cancer in May, used his will to set strict stipulations over the use of his music in adverts. He said his image, name, music or artistic property should not be used for "advertising purposes". The musician left behind a £4m estate. MORE