The News Matrix: Wednesday 7 March 2012

Miliband calls for a more patriotic policy

Labour leader Ed Miliband has called for a new patriotic economic policy that would give British firms a better chance of competing with their foreign rivals. He said successive administrations had failed to grasp how important "pride and patriotism" were.

Embarrassment at the polls for Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi, the flag-bearer of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has ruled India for most of its 65 years of independence, accepted responsibility for a humiliating defeat as his Congress Party was trounced in state elections. Many saw the ballot as a referendum on his viability as a leader. MORE

Murdoch journalists try to kill themselves

Two senior journalists at News International have tried to commit suicide. Both had been arrested recently and are receiving treatment. Staff at Rupert Murdoch's newspaper group believe its reporters are being victimised for a culture encouraged by senior executives. MORE

BP boss receives £540,000 bonus

The boss of BP has been awarded a bonus of £540,000 for 2011, equivalent to 50 per cent of his £1.1 million salary. Bob Dudley, who was brought in to steer BP's recovery after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, oversaw the collapse of a landmark deal to explore the Arctic sea and a fall in production.

Waters denies Falklands remark

Roger Waters has denied saying the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina, but urged politicians "to sue for peace and seek a compromise". The Pink Floyd star said: "I am not a politician, and have no ready solution."

Met Police facing corruption claims

The family of Stephen Lawrence will press Scotland Yard to study new evidence suggesting that the original 1993 murder inquiry was derailed by corruption. An investigation by i uncovered new allegations of criminality against a former detective sergeant, John Davidson, who played a key role in the original investigation into the killing in Eltham, South-east London. MORE

Fresh nuclear talks with Iran agreed

World powers agreed to new nuclear talks with Iran, hours after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that time was running out to stop Tehran from acquiring an atomic bomb. Mr Netanyahu said he would not allow his people to live under the "shadow of annihilation". MORE

Moldova: Child-sex tourists will face castration

Foreigners convicted of sexually abusing children could be chemically castrated under a law introduced yesterday. Parliament approved the legislation, to be enacted in July, after MPs said their impoverished nation had become an attractive destination for paedophiles from the West.

Pupils banned from wearing shoes

Pupils at a primary school in Havant, Hampshire, have been asked to wear slippers at school to prevent the "beautiful" new carpets being ruined by muddy footprints. A letter sent to parents said they must "remove their shoes in school".

Lollipops used to smuggle heroin

Florida customs officials have confiscated 172 lollipops filled with heroin at an airport in Orlando. Rafael Quinonez Jimenez appeared to be "very nervous and was sweating profusely" at customs after arriving from Central America.

Clothing label under fire over sexist label

A clothing retailer has attracted criticism over the "sexist" label within the garment displaying its washing instructions. The beige chinos, purchased at Madhouse's Oxford Street store, show the routine washing instructions, but then claims: "Or give it to your woman: It's her job."

Shear skill wins John top prize

Contestants from more than 25 countries battled it out this week to win the Golden Shears award at New Zealand's prestigious sheep-shearing contest – its first since 1996. Judged on speed and accuracy, John Kirkpatrick was crowned winner and took home £1,565 in prize money.

Two heads are better than one

It has two heads, two hearts, six legs and a single intestine and it's attracting a lot of attention at a zoo in Kiev. "Strictly speaking it isn't a tortoise with two heads, but rather two conjoined tortoises," zoologist Yuri Yuravliov said of the Horsefield tortoise currently on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Kiev.

Justin Bieber's mum to publish memoir

Justin Bieber's mother has signed a book deal to tell her side of the teen pop star's rise to fame. Pattie Mallette will release Nowhere But Up: The Story of Justin Bieber's Mom in September with a foreword from her son, 18. Her publisher said she would also write about her traumatic upbringing.

John Lennon "suffered bulimia"

John Lennon suffered from bulimia and had bizarre food fetishes, according to a new book. The author Debra Sharon Davis claims that Lennon's eating disorder meant he "hated the feeling of being full" and would vomit after meals. She also says he loved eating Rice Crispies with ice cream.

Radiohead to stage two shows in the UK

Radiohead have announced they will play their first UK shows in four years this October. The band, currently touring the United States, will play two nights at the O2 Arena in south-east London and one night at the Manchester Arena. Tickets go on general sale on Friday.

Walliams raising more for Sport Relief venture

David Walliams raised more than £1 million for Sport Relief by swimming the Thames last year, and the comedian is aiming to raise even more by becoming the speaking clock. 10p from each call to the clock will go to Sport Relief from today. Take That singer Gary Barlow is also taking part.