The News Matrix: Saturday 21 July 2012

Regime fights to regain lost ground

Regime troops fought on the corpse-strewn streets of the capital, Damascus, and at far-flung border posts yesterday to reverse gains by rebels, who have advanced relentlessly in the 48 hours since much of President Bashar al-Assad's entourage was assassinated. MORE

Jessie J axes show because of fatique

Singer Jessie J pulled out of a show at the last minute on medical advice after being diagnosed with a "fatigue" virus. The pop star apologised to fans for cancelling her appearance at Ponty's Big Weekend in Pontypridd which led to the first night of the three-day event being axed.

Lucas attacks her peers

Sarah Lucas has launched a broadside at several of her peers, calling Tracey Emin's art "second rate" and saying she is not a fan of Damien Hirst. MORE

FBI seizes SpongeBob coins

Silver coins with the image of SpongeBob SquarePants were among assets seized by FBI agents from a finance firm after its chief confessed to nearly 20 years of fraud last week. The coins, minted in New Zealand, were found in a vault of Peregrine Financial Group in Iowa.

Gene therapy may be approved

Europe is on the cusp of approving a gene therapy, in what would be a landmark for the field. The European Medicines Agency has recommended a therapy for a rare genetic disease which leaves people unable to digest fats.

Brand protection 'going too far'

Michael Payne, the mastermind behind sponsorship of the Olympic Games, has criticised London organisers for "going too far" in clamping down on local  communities and businesses to protect the firms backing the Games . MORE

Pussy Riot get an extra 6 months

Three members of female punk group Pussy Riot who derided President Vladimir Putin in a protest in Moscow's main cathedral had their spell in jail extended by six months yesterday in what their lawyers called a show trial dictated by the Kremlin. MORE

Naked Rambler arrested again

The "Naked Rambler", Stephen Gough, has been arrested in Fife just days after being released from prison. Mr Gough, 53, was allowed to go free from Perth Prison on Tuesday, but made it only as far as Dunfermline, where he was arrested yesterday over a breach of the peace.

MPs could prosecute lying witnesses

Parliamentary committees of MPs could be given powers to prosecute witnesses who lie to them. Under proposals being discussed by senior parliamentarians, misleading a select committee or refusing to attend and answer questions could become a criminal offence. MORE

Lost in translation

A murder trial was brought to a halt when the court interpreter was forced to confess he was an unqualified stand-in for his wife, who was busy. The trial had to be temporarily suspended at a cost of tens of thousands of pounds. MORE

Mother admits lying to police out of fear

A woman accused of murdering her daughter has told a jury that she lied to police because she was "frightened" her husband would beat her. Farzana Ahmed told the court she witnessed her husband punching and slapping Shafilea on the night of the alleged killing. MORE