The News Matrix: Tuesday 23 July 2013

Seas take the heat for global warming

The ocean is absorbing heat equivalent to the power of 150 billion electric kettles, according to Met Office scientists, which may explain a “pause” in global warming. While global average temperatures are higher now than ever before, a break in the rise over the last 10 to 15 years was previously unexplained. MORE

Soca chairman in more hot water

Sir Ian Andrews, the Serious Organised Crime Agency chairman at the centre of a row over companies hiring corrupt private detectives, is in more hot water for failing to disclose that his wife is head lawyer for a controversial security firm.

Hunt on for escaped Abu Ghraib inmates

Iraqi security forces locked down areas around the infamous Abu Ghraib prison and another high-security detention facility on Baghdad’s outskirts yesterday to hunt for escaped inmates and militants after daring insurgent assaults set hundreds of detainees free. MORE

‘No excuse’ not to use plain packaging

There is “no excuse” for Britain not to bring in plain cigarette packaging, according to campaigners. The comments come after a study found plain packs made smokers more likely to quit. However, ministers have said they will wait to see the scheme’s impact elsewhere. MORE

Student charged over Muslim’s death

A Ukrainian student questioned over a series of bomb blasts near mosques has been charged with the murder of a Muslim pensioner. Pavlo Lapshyn, 25, was arrested last Thursday and questioned over three blasts and the murder of Mohammed Saleem, 75, last April.

Rape victim’s jail sentence pardoned

A Norwegian woman at the centre of a Dubai rape claim dispute said that officials have dropped her 16-month sentence for having sex outside marriage and she is free. The sentence against the 24-year-old Marte Deborah Dalelv last week stirred outrage in the West. MORE

Ex-'Sun' editor parts ways with Murdoch

Dominic Mohan, who recently stepped aside as editor of The Sun, has left the staff of News Corporation. After 19 years on Rupert Murdoch’s payroll, Mohan could be in line for a £2m severance deal.

Man charged with ‘copycat’ murders

A man faces aggravated murder charges after three bodies were found in rubbish bags near Cleveland. Police were led to a standoff with the man, who was taken into custody. Authorities said the suspect indicated he may have been influenced by the “Boston Strangler” Anthony Sowell. MORE

Woman dead after trip for abortion

An investigation has been launched following the death of a woman who had travelled from Ireland to London to have an abortion. Aisha Chiteria, 32, had a heart attack having been refused the termination in her hometown of Dublin.

Britons killed in crash named

The two British tourists killed on Sunday in a helicopter crash in northern Russia have been named as Mark Robertson and Rupert Beaumont. Both men were believed to be in their late sixties and were on a fishing expedition in the Murmansk region.

Child porn teachers banned from classes

Teachers convicted or cautioned over indecent images of children will be banned from the classroom. The move comes just weeks after Geoffrey Bettley, 36, was allowed to work in a school despite being found with nearly 200 child abuse images.

Dolphins can call each other by name

Dolphins call each other by name using individual signature whistles, according to research by Scottish scientists. Their study of a group of wild bottleneck dolphins off the Scottish coast found that dolphins use the whistles in the same way humans use names, as identity tags for addressing individuals.

Granny drummer hits 2 million views

A white-haired, bespectacled drummer is a hit online more than 2 million views of her solo jam session at a music shop. The video was posted on YouTube by the Coalition Drum Shop in Wisconsin. The clip is called Grandma Drummer, and shows 63-year-old Mary Hvizda in a drumstick-twirling performance.

Norwich introduces Alan Partridge walk

Tourism chiefs have launched an Alan Partridge walking tour to celebrate the fictional DJ’s association with Norwich. In the comedy series, Partridge enjoyed a love-hate relationship with the city. Visit Norwich and Norwich City Council Blue Badge Guides have launched a 90-minute tour which takes in key locations.

PR’s tweet drowned by complaints

The second-in-command at Spain’s public relations unit has been forced to step down after he abused Catalans in an angry tweet. The outburst came after spectators at the world aquatics championships, currently being held in Barcelona, whistled in protest during the Spanish national anthem.