The News Matrix: Monday 19 May 2014

Three people held over mine disaster

Three people were arrested on charges of negligence over the mining disaster in which 301 people died. In a news conference in Soma, where the disaster took place, the prosecutor Bekir Sahiner said one of those arrested was the company’s operations manager.

Bannatyne fined over drive and dial

Duncan Bannatyne has been fined by police for using his mobile phone while at the wheel. The TV personality and entrepreneur said he was pulled over for using the device while driving his son to a cricket match. He tweeted: “I accept it was very stupid of me... won’t do it again.”

Sex assault claim ‘not properly probed’

An investigation at Serco-operated Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre in Bedfordshire failed to properly probe allegations of sexual assault by one of its staff against a 29-year-old woman from Pakistan, according to an internal report.

PM declares war on rebels who kill eight

Troops yesterday retook Kidal from Tuareg separatists who killed at least eight soldiers and captured about 30 civil servants while Prime Minister Moussa Mara was on a visit to the town. He said the government had already sent troops, including special forces, to the region.

Rogue trader ‘to hand himself in’

The convicted trader Jérôme Kerviel said he would return to France, where he faces a jail sentence, after first saying he would stay in Italy. Kerviel had appealed to France’s President to intervene.

More young people in psychiatric wards

Rising rates of mental health disorders among children are linked to council budget cuts and health restructuring that have denied vulnerable young people early help, the Children’s Commissioner for England has told MPs. Maggie Atkinson said more children and young people with mental health problems were being admitted to adult psychiatric wards.

California’s ‘worst wildfire season’

Drought-stricken California is preparing for its worst wildfire season ever, the state’s governor warned yesterday. Governor Jerry Brown said that nearly a dozen recent wildfires which caused more than $20m (£11.9m) in damage mark only the beginning.

Man, 68, held over death of woman

A pensioner has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a woman aged in her 20s. The woman was discovered at a house in Barrow, Cumbria. A spokeswoman said: “Police have arrested a man, aged 68, on suspicion of murder and he is assisting detectives.”

Fast toilet team say they are Number 1

A new land speed record for a motorised toilet is being claimed by two men from Yorkshire who say they reached 70.9mph. Shaun Walker rode the lavatory, designed and built by Trevor Duckworth, at Elvington Airfield near York.

50,000 tarantulas on show at ‘Crufts’

Spider lovers flocked to the ‘Crufts of the Spider World’ in Coventry yesterday to see up to 50,000 tarantulas. The 29th exhibition at the Ricoh Arena was held by the British Tarantula Society and featured categories such as Best in Show.

Jacko back on top of the charts

Michael Jackson is the top of the charts once again nearly five years after he died with Xscape, the second posthumous album of previously unreleased tracks.

Harrison’s guitar sells for £390,000

A Rickenbacker 425 electric guitar played by George Harrison sold for $657,000 (£390,000) at auction on Saturday in New York, topping pre-sale estimates.