The News Matrix: Wednesday 4 December 2013

Court warning for social networkers

In an historic move, Twitter and Facebook users are to be warned about the dangers of prejudicing high-profile prosecutions. The office of Dominic Grieve, the Attorney General, will today begin publishing previously unseen advisory notes.

Driver 'not guilty' of using Google glasses

A woman pleaded not guilty in San Diego yesterday to what is believed to be the first traffic ticket alleging a motorist was using Google's computer-in-an-eyeglass. Cecilia Abadie was pulled over on suspicion of speeding in October. The officer added a citation given to drivers who may be distracted by a video screen.

Rebels to join regime to fight al-Qa'ida

A second civil war could hit Syria over the rise of al-Qa'ida-linked groups in the country. The head of the opposition's official forces, General Salim Idris, commander of the Free Syrian Army, has signalled he is ready to join forces with regime troops to drive out extremists. MORE

Blink-182 top bill at Reading and Leeds

US rockers Blink-182 are to headline next year's Reading and Leeds festivals. The chart-topping band, who started out in the 1990s, first played the festival in 1999 and last headlined in 2010. Other acts joining them for the August festivals include Jake Bugg, Disclosure and Metronomy.

RBS neglected IT for decades, says boss

The new chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland admitted the bank had failed to invest properly in IT "for decades" as he responded to a major failure on the busiest online shopping day of the year. Customers were unable to use credit and debit cards for three hours. MORE

Kim Jong-un sacks uncle from post

The leader Kim Jong-un is said to have removed a powerful uncle from his post. Jang Song-thaek was probably sacked as vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission despite being key to the young leader's rise to power, according to South Korean politicians. MORE

Irish police leak led to two RUC murders

The Irish government has issued two separate apologies after an official inquiry concluded that police leaked information to the IRA that led to the assassination of two of Northern Ireland's most senior police officers. Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan were ambushed and shot in 1989. MORE

Fuel prices result in people driving less

High fuel prices are continuing to force drivers off the roads, according to an AA/Populus survey released in the lead-up to the Autumn Statement. Some 45 per cent of people are cutting down on car usage and 28 per cent are slashing family or personal budgets to compensate.

Yasser Arafat 'did not die of poisoning'

Tests by a team of French scientists have reportedly found the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat did not die from poisoning. It had been suggested last month that Mr Arafat's body had "unexpected highly" polonium levels.

Downton call-up for Paul Giamatti

Oscar-nominated actor Paul Giamatti is joining the cast of Downton Abbey for the Christmas special. The American star, nominated for a best supporting actor award for his role in the boxing drama Cinderella Man, will play Lady Grantham's (Elizabeth McGovern) brother.

Social workers wake up truants

Social workers in Copenhagen have begun making house calls to wake up students with high rates of absenteeism. After a year, a third of the students that were in the trial were attending school regularly. The practice has sparked discussion about whether the welfare state had become too intrusive.

Celebrity paws raise £1,800 to help cats

Celebrity cat lovers, including Twiggy and Christopher Walken, have helped raise almost £1,800 by donating unique artwork to the feline welfare charity Cat Protection. Paper paws contributed by a host of stars were auctioned on eBay, with a design by Level 42 lead singer Mark King fetching the highest bid of £330.