The News Matrix: Tuesday 3 April 2012

Big Brother backlash as MPs summon May

Home Secretary Theresa May is facing mounting criticism and been summoned before MPs to justify proposals to increase police and security services powers to monitor online communication in the UK. Similar proposals were dropped by Labour in office three years ago. MORE

Zimmerman will not go on run from police

George Zimmerman will turn himself in if he is charged with a crime after shooting dead unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, his lawyer has claimed. "He's not hiding from the authorities," said Craig Sonner. "He will turn himself in. There's not going to be a manhunt..."

Damascus agrees to UN ceasefire plan

Syria has accepted a deadline of 10 April for ending military operations, the United Nation and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan said yesterday. But Western diplomats expressed scepticism about the credibility of the agreement, as Syria has repeatedly promised to end attacks. MORE

Lithuanian is jailed for life for murder

A man praised for fending off an armed robber has been jailed for murder. Deivydas Jacikas, 21 tackled a gun-wielding man in Peterborough last February. But six months later he beat fellow Lithuanian Henrikas Baranauskas to death. Jacikas admitted manslaughter but denied murder.

Television host faces trial for harassment

Justin Lee Collins, 37, host of The Friday Night Project, is to go on trial accused of harassing an ex-girlfriend. He pleaded not guilty to harassment at St Albans Crown Court and the case was adjourned to September 24.

Headbutt officer escapes prison

A police officer who headbutted a schoolboy has been spared prison. PC Karl Bartlett, 42, was given a three month suspended sentence after he was found guilty of hurling the 14-year old against a car. The teenager was a passenger in a car stopped in London when the driver was suspected to be using his mobile phone. The attack on 1 March left the boy with bleeding lips and abrasions.

Sanctions imposed on Mali over coup

Sanctions were imposed on Mali yesterday by the body representing West African nations, after a 72-hour deadline elapsed and the military junta failed to restore constitutional order. The Economic Community of West African States made the order after meeting in Senegal. MORE

Six people survive house gas explosion

Six people including a pregnant woman have been rescued from the rubble of an Essex house destroyed in an apparent gas explosion. A family of four and two other people were pulled from the building by firefighters. One woman suffered serious burns. A hamster also survived.

Jailed ex-drug baron must pay £100m

A judge ordered ex-Mexican drug kingpin Benjamin Arellano Felix to pay $100m as he was jailed for 25 years. Felix once led a Tijuana-based cartel that was one of the world's most powerful. He pleaded guilty last year to racketeering and conspiracy to launder money.

Cézanne watercolour could fetch £15m

A long-forgotten watercolour by Paul Cézanne could fetch £15m when it goes under the hammer at Christie's in New York. The study for the Card Players series was rediscovered in Texas after its whereabouts eluded scholars for 60 years. A painting from the series was sold for £156m in February.

Toddler uses iPhone to escape from well

A toddler has been rescued with the aid of an iPhone after falling down a 40ft well. Rescue workers in Yunnan Province lowered an oxygen mask to prevent the two-year-old boy from suffocating. Then an iPhone was lowered with instructions on how to secure the rope around himself.

John Cooper Clarke to present BBC show

"Punk poet" John Cooper Clarke will be amongst guest presenters given a new slot on BBC Radio 6 Music. From 8 April, a host of celebrities will present the show in the 4-6pm slot, "Month of Sundays with..." Cooper Clarke will present for four weeks in May, Jarvis Cocker in September.

Airline captain in first court date

An airline captain charged with disrupting a Las Vegas-bound flight after he left the cockpit screaming about religion and terrorists should remain in federal custody without bail, prosecutors told a judge. Clayton Osbon, above, has not yet been asked to enter a plea.

Adele vows to stay a single woman in 2012

Adele gave fans something to look forward to by promising to release a single in 2012 – but again insisted the follow-up to her chart-topping album 21 will not come out for at least two years. Her comments will fuel claims that she is to record the theme tune to the new James Bond film, Skyfall.

April Fool's Day joke misfires

Israeli naval officers failed to see the funny side of an April Fool's Day gag when their commander revealed that a last-minute announcement to take part in drills in Italy was a practical joke. Military authorities are now investigating the incident involving Vice Admiral Ram Rotenberg. MORE

Taliban instigates a web charm offensive

The Taliban has launched a Q&A section on its website as part of a PR drive to try to convince Afghans they are not extremists. The group was asked whether girls would be allowed to attend school under a Taliban government and if they support the local cricket team. MORE

App that detects women is removed

An app that allowed people to locate nearby women and see pictures of them has been withdrawn from the Apple App Store. The "Girls Around Me" app, which used data that the women had posted online, was downloaded more than 70,000 times but attracted widespread criticism.