The News Matrix: Monday 25 March 2013

Leader deposed as rebels storm capital

The leader of Central African Republic, President François Bozize, fled the capital yesterday following a decade in power, after hundreds of armed rebels invaded the city. The rebels pushed further into the heart of the city, where they seized the presidential palace, according to witnesses. MORE

Mayor's past returns to haunt him on TV

Boris Johnson gave what senior Conservatives labelled a "car crash" TV interview yesterday. The Mayor of London looked uncomfortable as the BBC's Eddie Mair probed him on alleged past indiscretions. MORE

MPs rubbish generic packaging fears

MPs and peers have rubbished claims by the tobacco industry that standardised cigarette packs would lead to increased smuggling. A cross-party parliamentary group said proposals for uniform packets – designed to discourage children from lighting up – would not impact the UK's falling illicit tobacco trade.

Heseltine: Brits lack 'drive' to aid growth

British people may suffer from being so wealthy that they lack the "national will" needed to secure an economy recovery, Lord Heseltine has suggested. In an interview with i, the former Deputy Prime Minister said sluggish growth could be down to a "lack of drive". MORE

Huge protest against gay marriage bill

Riot police fought back crowds who pushed their way on to the Champs-Elysées yesterday as part of a huge protest against a draft law allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children. Many of the protesters were bused in, in a last-ditch effort to block the bill.

Obesity may cause oesophagus cancer

A genetic mutation triggered by obesity could lie behind the increase in cancer of the oesophagus, or gullet, which affects the UK more than any other nation. US scientists found that a form of the disease was linked to gastric reflux, which can be caused by being overweight. MORE

Musharraf plans political comeback

Former President Pervez Musharraf returned home yesterday hoping to make a political comeback despite Taliban death threats and looming arrest warrants. His return comes as Pakistan is poised to transition from one democratically elected government to another. MORE

Resignation leaves opposition in chaos

The Western-backed opposition plunged into disarray yesterday as its President resigned and its military leader refused to recognise a Prime Minister elected to lead an interim rebel government. The chaos inside the Syrian National Coalition threatens to undermine its bid to unite the forces battling to oust President Bashar al-Assad. MORE

Sales record for Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon has set a record for the biggest day of sales in West End and Broadway history. On Friday a total of £2,107,972 was taken in ticket sales.

Pensioner drops a real, live bombshell

An elderly woman caused a scare at a recycling facility near Stockholm when she left a grenade – to comply with a recently introduced police weapons amnesty.