The News Matrix: Monday 2 March 2015

1,400 babies born overweight

More than 1,400 newborn babies have been classified as significantly overweight in the last four years. The statistics, obtained by the Sunday Mirror under a Freedom of Information request, also showed more than 109,000 under-15s had been admitted to hospital for obesity-related issues in the same period.

Four officers hurt at illegal rave stand-off

Four police officers were injured after a nine-hour stand-off with revellers at an illegal rave in Swindon. Wiltshire Police said that five arrests had been made after emergency services were pelted with missiles including bricks at an empty unit on the River Ray industrial estate in Rodbourne.

First flight from Iran lands in Sanaa

The first direct flight from Iran to Yemen’s capital arrived yesterday, as the Shia rebels holding Sanaa formalise ties with the regional Shia powerhouse. Yemeni airport, security and transportation officials greeted a Mahan Air flight carrying Iranians including aid workers from the Iranian Red Crescent.

Royal Red Cross for emergency nurse

An RAF emergency nurse believed to have undertaken more medical-evacuation missions than any other British medic has been awarded the Associate of the Royal Red Cross. Squadron Leader Charlotte Thompson-Edgar has helped more than 600 wounded troops during six tours of Afghanistan.

Barrie’s Pan house to get restoration cash

The house where Peter Pan author JM Barrie was inspired to create his classic children’s tale is among several historic sites across Scotland to share £1.7m of restoration funding. Moat Brae House in Dumfries, Barrie’s inspiration for Peter Pan, will receive over £300,000 towards its continued redevelopment.

Nations to trial aircraft trackers

Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia will lead a trial of an enhanced method of tracking aircraft over oceans to allow lost planes to be more easily found. The announcement comes a week ahead of the anniversary of the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which had 239 people on board.

Plan to exclude badly behaved MPs

Labour wants to introduce a “sin bin” style system to the Commons. The shadow leader of the Commons, Angela Eagle, has proposed new punishments that would mean a first warning for MPs who overstep the mark, followed by temporary exclusion for repeat offenders.

Poll delayed due to unconstitutional law

Egypt’s parliamentary poll looks set to be delayed after a court ruled part of an election law was unconstitutional and the main election committee said it was working on a new timetable for the long-awaited vote. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi directed his government to amend the law.

Blogger could face death sentence

The Saudi Arabian blogger whose case sparked outrage after he was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for criticising the country’s clerics online could now face the death penalty. Raif Badawi was cleared of apostasy – which carries a mandatory death sentence – but could face a retrial.

Boris: I regret not becoming a rock star

London’s Mayor Boris Johnson has admitted he always wanted to be a rock musician. “I think I regret bitterly my failure to get anywhere as a rock star and a player of the guitar. I tried at school to master the guitar with a view to becoming famous... and it was hopeless,” he told First News.

Ultra-runners get set to battle boredom

Hong Kong welcomed hundreds of runners yesterday for its first ultra-marathon, which its organisers said is “quite boring”, with runners pacing the same stretch of road 25 times. Organiser Kwan Kee said that while the 31-mile route was boring, “land in Hong Kong is very limited”.

Stolen car forces driver to quit race

Nascar driver Travis Kvapil was left without a ride for this weekend’s race after his orange stock car was stolen early on Friday, forcing him to drop out. Kvapil and other Team Xtreme members were staying at the Drury Inn in Atlanta when they found their truck and its contents – their primary car and a backup engine – was not in the parking lot.