The News Matrix: Tuesday 12 March 2013

Bid to lift block on deporting Qatada

A block on deporting the radical cleric Abu Qatada should be lifted, lawyers for the Home Secretary have argued. The Home Office claims it would be safe to send him back to Jordan to be re-tried on terrorism charges. Qatada has been fighting deportation for 10 years. MORE

Bennett: I was interfered with

Alan Bennett, author of the play History Boys, has revealed that he was "interfered with" as a child. He told the Radio Times that when he was around 10, "one often found one's legs were touched up". He said one needn't necessarily be "scarred" by the experience.

Cable joins Tory ring-fencing critics

The Prime Minister has come under pressure to abolish the ring fences protecting the health, schools and overseas aid budgets. Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, joined Tory figures in calling for change. MORE

Facebook 'likes' can define intelligence

Cambridge psychologists claim it is possible to deduce a person's intelligence by analysing their Facebook "likes". Intelligent users liked pages such as curly fries and Morgan Freeman's voice, whereas less intelligent people enjoyed Tyler Perry films and Harley-Davidsons. MORE

Police seek murderer who tried to catch bus

Police have released CCTV images of a convicted murderer who tried to get on a bus shortly after he disappeared while on day-release. Brian Lynch, 44, fled from Preston city centre on Thursday afternoon while on a day trip from nearby HMP Kirkham, Lancashire.

Dead taxi driver was facing murder charge

The Mozambican taxi driver who died after being dragged behind a police van was facing murder charges himself, a South African court heard yesterday. The mother of Mido Macia, 27, wept as the results of a post-mortem were read out in court yesterday. Mr Macia died of a lack of oxygen but he also sustained deep cuts and bruises.

Fit patients 'should get preference'

Patients who exercise regularly and eat healthily should be given preferential NHS treatment, a think tank will say today. Demos claims that supermarket bills and gym membership forms could be used as evidence of their healthy lifestyles.

Artist Weiwei makes heavy rock album

The dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is recording a debut metal album in a basement in Beijing. "If someone told me a few months ago that I would be doing a heavy metal album, I wouldn't have believed them." He added his musical project was partly inspired by Elton John. MORE

Gang-rape accused found hanged in cell

The man accused of leading the gang rape of a young student in Delhi has been found hanged inside his cell. Bus driver Ram Singh, 33, had apparently used threads from his bedding to make a noose, but his family claim he may have been murdered.  MORE

Plans to be unveiled at Ennis stadium site

Major redevelopment plans are to be revealed today for the site of the condemned stadium where Olympic hero Jessica Ennis was discovered. The decision to demolish the £29m Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield, as part of council cost-cutting measures, was announced earlier this month.

Whistle-blower trial postponed

A court in Moscow has postponed the trial of dead whistle-blowing lawyer Sergei Magnitsky. The lawyers for the defendant, the first to be tried posthumously in Russia, failed to show up. Mr Magnitsky is accused of tax evasion. His widow called the trial "blasphemy".

Manhunt launched as socialite found dead

A wealthy socialite has been found battered to death in his flat in London's exclusive Mayfair neighbourhood. Police have launched a manhunt after Robert Troyan, 59, was found on the kitchen floor of his apartment in Mount Street by his cleaner on Friday. MORE

Teacher let children taste her blood

A teacher in Norway has been fired after she brought a vial of her own blood into school and allowed children to taste it. The teacher allowed the children, aged between three and six, to touch the blood with their fingers and then lick it off.

Irish pub banned from flying Irish flag

The owners of an Irish pub in Florida have been banned from flying the Irish flag. The four sisters who own Culhane's Irish Pub in Atlantic Beach said they would apply for a temporary permit allowing them to at least fly the flag on St Patrick's Day.

Charles and Camilla tour Middle East

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall arrived in Jordan last night for the start of their tour of the Middle East. Charles and Camilla will spend two nights in the country before leaving for Qatar and then Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Food producers urged to reduce salt

Food companies will be encouraged to change their recipes under a new Government drive to reduce people's salt consumption and improve the nation's health. The goal is to help people reduce daily salt intake from an 8.1g-a-day average to 6g a day.

Al-Sweady claims 'utterly groundless'

The lawyers representing Iraqis who claim they were tortured by British troops have been "hoodwinked" and "duped" by the "propaganda machine of the extremists", the Al-Sweady Inquiry has been told. Neil Garnham QC described the allegations as "utterly groundless".

Rags-to-riches princess dies

Lilian May Davies, the Welsh-born Princess of Sweden, has died in her Stockholm home aged 97. Seen by the Swedish royal family as a commoner, Princess Lilian did not get the king's blessing to marry Prince Bertil until they reached their 60s. MORE