The News Matrix: Saturday 29 October 2011

Huhne faces more speeding inquiries

Prosecutors have asked police to obtain more evidence over allegations that Energy Secretary Chris Huhne dodged a speeding penalty. “We have now considered all the evidence submitted to us so far and have completed a full review of the case,” a CPS spokeswoman said.

Bangkok’s flood defences on brink

The main river coursing through Thailand’s capital swelled to record highs yesterday amid fears that flood defences could break and swamp the city. Ankle-high water from the Chao Phraya river spilled through one sandbagged entrance of Bangkok’s treasured Grand Palace. MORE

Car clamper denies obstructing officer

A private parking attendant refused to release two unmarked police cars he clamped while they were securing an area for a visit by the Queen, Portsmouth magistrates heard. Gareth Andrews, 39, of Fareham, denies obstructing a Pc in the execution of his duty. The trial continues.

Our summer time could last all year

Plans for Britain to move on to “perpetual summer time” have been given tentative backing by the Government. Under the proposal, Greenwich Mean Time would effectively be abolished and clocks in the UK would go forward by one hour all year round. MORE

Poet Higgins wins presidential vote

Human rights activist and poet Michael D. Higgins was celebrating last night as the Irish picked the leftwing idealist to be the new face of their debt-struck nation in the presidential election. Higgins’ main challenger, business guru Sean Gallagher, conceded defeat. MORE

Gaddafi son contacts war crimes court

The International Criminal Court at The Hague has confirmed that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the 39-year-old heir-apparent to Libya’s slain former leader, has been in contact. It has urged him to turn himself in, warning it could order a mid-air interception if he tries to flee by plane. MORE

Big jumpin people running out of petrol

The number of people running out of petrol on Britain’s roads has risen by 14 per cent, according to two insurance companies. The AA reported an average 450 call-outs per week and said it was on course for 23,000 this year. Green Flag also said it has seen an increase. Both blamed the rise on the soaring cost of fuel.

Tate made the move to squeeze Orange

Catherine Tate made the first move to date Take That’s Jason Orange, comic John Bishop says. Bishop starred with the comedienne in a spoof of the band for Comic Relief. He told BBC1’s Graham Norton Show she asked him for his number, and he said “Yes”.

Adele faces surgery to save her voice

Singer Adele is to have surgery to cure the throat problems which have threatened to wreck her career. She has cancelled shows in the UK next month to allow time to recover. Adele has been beset by problems - with her voice “switching off” – and had to apologise to fans after calling off a US tour.

Fire fighters rescue suspected burglar

A suspected burglar had to be rescued by fire fighters from a roof as he tried to evade police. Officers were called to reports of two men acting suspiciously on the roof of a car park in Brighton, East Sussex, at 3.15am yesterday. The men tried to escape across roofs but one got stuck.

Widow will not get surviving animals

Marian Thompson, the widow of a man who released dozens of animals before killing himself, has lost her fight to reclaim the survivors not shot by police: three leopards, two primates and a grizzly bear. They are being kept under quarantine at the Columbus Zoo, Ohio. MORE

London sing-a-long willbefull of ‘Carols’

People called Carol are being invited to join a Christmas carol sing-a-long for charity. The Children’s Society needs to hear from people with the name of Carol, Carole, Karol and Caroline. The carol sing-a-long will take place at Exmouth Market, in London, on Wednesday December 14.

‘Dr Death’s suicide machine for sale

The suicide machine and other personal items of Jack Kevorkian, the late advocate of assisted dying, are being sold in New York amid a legal dispute between his estate and a Massachusetts museum. The estate estimates that the collection could be worth up to $3.5m (£2.2m). MORE