The News Matrix: Wednesday 28 May 2014

Man held over offensive tweets

A man has been arrested for allegedly sending offensive tweets about the murder of James Bulger, police have said. The unnamed 62-year-old was held at an address in Bexhill, East Sussex, on suspicion of sending offensive Twitter messages, contrary to the Malicious Communications Act 1993, Sussex Police said. The man was bailed until 28 August while inquiries will continue.

Clive James ‘saying goodbye’ in verse

The terminally ill author and critic Clive James said yesterday that he has “started saying goodbye” through his poetry. The 74-year-old Australian, best known for his show Clive James on Television, was diagnosed with leukaemia, kidney failure and lung disease in 2010. MORE

Woman stoned to death after marrying

A woman was stoned to death yesterday by 20 of her relatives after she married a man in defiance of her family’s wishes. Farzana Iqbal’s family attacked her and her husband before onlookers. Ms Iqbal married Mohammad Iqbal while she was engaged to her cousin. MORE

Ukip councillor barred for racism

Ukip has suspended one of its newly elected councillors less than a week after the local elections. Dave Small, elected to Redditch Borough Council in Thursday’s elections, will now be investigated amid claims he posted racist and homophobic remarks on social media.

6 million cars to be scrapped this year

China will scrap six million cars that fail to meet exhaust emission standards by the end of the year to improve air quality as its leaders try to reverse damage caused by decades of manufacturing-driven growth which has polluted the nation’s air, water and soil.

Ex-hacker prevents 300 cyber attacks

The former “leader” of the hacking group LulzSec has helped the FBI stop more than 300 cyber attacks since his arrest on hacking charges in 2011. As a result, Hector Xavier Monsegur was sentenced to time served plus a year’s supervised release by a New York court.

Rolf Harris: my actions sickened me

Rolf Harris confessed he was “sickened” by his behaviour after admitting to sexual encounters with his daughter’s teenage best friend. However the entertainer repeatedly denied abusing her as a child. MORE

Inmates up by 500 in a fortnight

The jail population has leapt by 500 in England and Wales in a fortnight, and tens of thousands of offenders are being held in huge “warehouse” jails, a report by the Prison Reform Trust reveals today. Almost two-thirds of jails are overcrowded, fuelling tensions among inmates.

Rolling Stones still rocking

The Rolling Stones staged a concert in Oslo on Monday as the ever-youthful band resumed a world tour suspended in March after the death of Mick Jagger’s girlfriend, fashion designer L’Wren Scott. Jagger, 70, said he was glad to be back in the city where the Stones first played in 1965.

Former world’s fattest man dies at 48

The world’s former fattest man, who once weighed 88 stone, has died aged 48 after being bedridden for more than a decade. Manuel Uribe passed away in hospital in Monterey, Mexico, on Monday, having been admitted with heart problems. His body had to be taken away in a reinforced king-size bed on a flatbed lorry.

Road renamed after WWI VC hero

Corporation Street in Greater Manchester has been renamed Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell V.C. Way in honour of the area’s only First World War recipient of the Victoria Cross on the 96th anniversary of the soldier’s act of bravery. He rescued 10 wounded men from no man’s land on 27 May, 1918.

Emin’s Bed goes on sale for £1.2m

Tracey Emin’s infamous artwork My Bed has been put up for sale by art collector Charles Saatchi. The controversial installation, which features empty vodka bottles, stained sheets and used underwear, is estimated to fetch up to £1.2m. It was short-listed for the Turner Prize in 1999.

David Bailey given honorary doctorate

David Bailey received an honorary doctorate yesterday for his outstanding contribution to the arts. The photographer was awarded the honour from the University of East London at the National Portrait Gallery in London. He recently unveiled his portrait of the Queen to mark her 88th birthday.