The News Matrix: Tuesday 21 August 2012

Miners told to return or be sacked

A third of the workforce returned to Marikana platinum mine yesterday where police shot dead 34 striking miners in clashes that evoked memories of apartheid-era violence. Mine owner Lonmin has threatened 3,000 striking workers with dismissal if they do not show up. MORE

Seven killed in bomb blast by Syria border

At least seven people were feared dead last night after a suspected car bomb in the Turkish city of Gaziantep, near the Syrian border. Dozens more people were reported injured. The blast took place near a police station and officers were thought to be among the casualties.

Search called off for sea slip victim Dylan

Coastguards yesterday called off the search for missing four-year-old Dylan Cecil, who fell into the water at Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset. Rescue agencies had been searching since Sunday evening when Dylan slipped off the end of a jetty while on a family holiday.

Suspended death sentence for Gu

Gu Kailai has received a suspended death sentence for the murder of the British businessman Neil Heywood. The wife of the disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai was sentenced in a courtroom bereft of foreign media, as authorities moved to tidy up a huge political scandal. MORE

Comedian Phyllis Diller dies, aged 95

Phyllis Diller, the ground-breaking US female comedian and actress, died last night at her Los Angeles home aged 95. "She died peacefully in her sleep and with a smile on her face," her manager said.

Tycoon Nadir guilty of Polly Peck theft

Former fugitive tycoon Asil Nadir was facing jail last night after being convicted of plundering millions from his Polly Peck business empire. An Old Bailey jury found him guilty of three counts of theft amounting to a total of more than £5.5million. Nadir was found guilty of stealing £1.3million to secretly buy Polly Peck shares to bolster its Stock Exchange price.

New MPs fall short of full parliament

Somalia's chief justice swore in 211 new members of parliament yesterday, an accomplishment but one that fell far short of UN hopes that the Horn of Africa nation would seat a full 275-member parliament that would vote in a new president. The UN had said a new leader would be in place by 20 August. MORE

Family urge judge to keep coma man alive

The family of a Muslim man who is in a persistent vegetative state are fighting in the High Court for him to receive life-saving treatment if his condition deteriorates. Yesterday a judge was told the family of patient "L", believes if the 55-year-old could express his wishes he would not agree to an order he should not be resuscitated. MORE

Witchcraft's spell on eBay is nearly over

The sale of witchcraft related services is to be banned on eBay. From September, any listings offering spells, curses, tarot readings and blessings will be removed to protect consumers and avoid hard to resolve conflicts between buyers and sellers. Over 1400 people have signed a petition against the decision.

Swimmer braves storm... and sharks

Diana Nyad overcame jellyfish stings, lightning, rain and whipping winds yesterday on the third day of her latest bid to become the first person to swim the 103 miles from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. The American, who will be 63 on Wednesday, was swimming "strong" and still hoping to reach Florida today.

Hikers can test yodelling chops

Austria has inaugurated a new hiker's path where participants are invited to yodel by speakers playing notes for them to try to copy. At rest stops along the way, hikers press a knob and hear a recorded yodel in two-part harmony. They can also listen to each part separately and decide which one to try.

Business inspired by bums on seats

Two brothers from New York have created toilet tissue printed with adverts, some with money-off coupon codes that can be read by mobile phones. Jordan Silverman, 20, said his 18-year-old brother was initially sceptical but was won over by the prospect of "a really captive audience."

Sopranos mobsters reunite for kids film

Nickelodeon is reuniting four members of the classic mob drama The Sopranos for a kids TV movie. The film, Nicky Deuce, stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa. They played gangsters Christopher and Bobby. Tony Sirico and Vincent Curatola, who played fellow mobster Paulie and rival boss Johnny "Sack", also star.