The News Matrix: Wednesday 29 May 2013

Anti-fascists to face off with EDL march

Anti-fascist campaigners will oppose the English Defence League in around a dozen locations across the country this weekend after a series of marches and demonstrations to mark the death of Drummer Lee Rigby was announced by members of the anti-Islamic group. At least 30 different areas of England are due to play host to the EDL on Saturday afternoon. MORE

Bombs kill at least 17 in Baghdad markets

Bomb blasts tore through two Baghdad markets yesterday evening, killing at least 17 people and extending a relentless wave of bloodshed roiling Iraq. The attacks come as the country experiences its most sustained bout of violence since 2011.

‘Sun’ reporter and HMRC man in court

The Sun’s Whitehall editor, Cloagh Hartley, appeared in court with an HMRC press officer, Jonathan Hall. Each faces a charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, relating to an alleged payment in return for details of the 2010 Budget.

Eight on trial over death of linesman

The trial of seven teenagers and an adult accused of kicking a football linesman to death at a junior league match in the Netherlands began yesterday. Richard Nieuwenhuizen, 41, was attacked in December. All of the accused deny the charges. MORE

Trade unions record growing membership

Trade union membership is up for the first time in years. New figures reveal an increase of 59,000 to 6.5 million, which follows four consecutive annual falls. This figure peaked at 13 million in 1979.

Painkillers linked to heart attack risk

Painkillers may increase the risk of heart attack by over a third, according to a study. Long-term use of medications such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, categorised as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, has also been linked to stomach ulcers.

Government to attend peace talks

Syria’s foreign minister says his government will attend planned Syrian peace talks “with every good intention” to reach a deal. But Walid al-Moallem said Syria rejects the opposition’s condition that President Bashar al-Assad step down.

Man had pencil up his nose for 15 years

A German man has spent 15 years with a four-inch pencil lodged in his head following a childhood accident. The 24-year-old suffered recurrent headaches. German doctors removed the pencil after a scan showed it lod-ged from his sinus to his pharynx. The man did not know how it got there but recalled falling badly as a child.

Walsh’s reviews just to judges’ tastes

John Walsh was last night crowned Restaurant Reviewer of the Year for the second year in succession. The i writer was awarded the title by the Guild of Food Writers at its annual ceremony in London. Lyndon Gee, one of the judges, tweeted that Walsh “was my no1 choice”.

A better cuppa from Aldi than Harrods...

Teabags from Aldi have been judged to make a better cuppa than their Harrods counterparts. The budget supermarket’s Fruit and Herb teabags won the tea infusions category, beating Harrods’ entrant, Green Tea with Bergamot. The budget supermarket took home 16 gold awards in total. Harrods did not win an award.

Larry King joins Russian station

Veteran US chat show host Larry King has made an unexpected move to join the Kremlin-funded television station Russia Today. Mr King, 79, will produce a new series called Politics with Larry King. “I’m thrilled at the opportunity to talk politics with some of the most influential people in Washington,” said Mr King.