Two soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Two soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan whilst on foot patrol, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have confirmed.

The MoD said it was with great sadness that they must confirm two soldiers from The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, had been killed.

The total number of deaths of British troops in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 210.

The two soldiers were killed this morning as a result of an explosion which happened while they were on foot patrol north of Lashkar Gah District, southern Helmand Province.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson said: 'Everyone in Task Force Helmand is deeply saddened by the deaths of these two brave soldiers.

'While there are no words that can ease their loss, our heartfelt sympathies go to their families, friends and fellow soldiers at this extremely difficult time.'

Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.

Strangled girl is named by police

Police have named the nine-year-old girl, whose strangled body was found in a lorry cab, as Stacey Lawrence.

Reports have now said Stacey may have been killed by her mother’s long-term boyfriend Darren Walker, 40, who was found hanged nearby, with detectives treating the incident as murder-suicide.

Police found Stacey in a lorry park on the A605 near Warmington on Saturday. She had been on a trip making deliveries to Spar stores with Mr Walker on Friday.

Det Ch Insp Tricia Kirk: 'At the moment, we are treating it as a murder-suicide. We believe the little girl was murdered and the man then committed suicide.”

Police had been alerted when the truck’s owner reported it missing. Today the route the lorry took has been released by detectives in a bid to find witnesses. Police said it left its depot in Willenhall in the West Midlands, during the early hours of Friday.

From there it went straight to Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, where it made deliveries.
On its return towards the Midlands, the lorry stopped near Peterborough at about 1500 BST before arriving at the lay-by in Warmington, near the Cambridgeshire border, at about 1535 BST.

Ms Kirk added: 'It will have spent a great deal of time in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire during daylight hours, particularly on the A47, so I'm hopeful we will get some good information about its movements during the day.'

Notting Hill Carnival celebrates

Notting Hill Carnival has attracted hundreds of thousands of people today, who turned out for the 45th celebration of Europe’s biggest street party.

Arrests have been relatively low so far, with police saying 76 were made by this morning, compared with 108 for the same time last year.

It is estimated 220,000 turned out for the event yesterday, and more than treble that is expected today. Partygoer’s enjoyed 3.5 miles of celebrations in west London, which included music, food and dancing.

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on behalf of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea said a surprise appearance by Miss Dynamite at the carnival had to be cancelled today because of crowd safety fears.

The statement read: 'The multiple award-winning performer was set to take the stage at Powis Square this afternoon. Unfortunately, event regulators only received notice of the appearance hours before the event.

'It's great that carnival can attract top talent,' said a council spokesman. 'But we need more time to make sure that such an event can pass off safely. Miss Dynamite has a huge following; her appearance would draw many spectators to an already highly congested part of the Carnival area.'

Police said there had been 25 arrests for possession of drugs and eight for assault since the beginning of the festival. A section 60 order is in place at the carnival to allow the police stop and search powers. Thousands of police are currently on duty at the carnival.

The London Ambulance Service said more than 380 medical staff were set to be on duty on both carnival days.

Child kidnap victim turns up alive 18 years later

By inthenews.co.uk staff.

A woman kidnapped 18 years ago as an 11-year-old has turned up alive in San Francisco.

Police said they were certain the 29-year-old woman was Jaycee Lee Dugard, who was snatched from outside her home in California in 1991.

The case, which has strong echoes with the Josef Fritzl story in Austria, was headline news in the US in 1991, with Ms Dugard's kidnapping featuring on America's Most Wanted.

A convicted paedophile and his wife have been arrested over her reappearance. It is thought Phillip Garrido (pictured right) kidnapped Ms Dugard, made her live in a series of sheds and tents in his backyard in complete isolation and fathered two children with her.



Ms Dugard and her daughters, now aged 15 and 11, are all apparently healthy despite never going to school or seeing a doctor.

Her mother and other family members were last night travelling from California to San Francisco to be reunited with Ms Dugard. Her stepfather Carl Probyn, a former suspect in the case, said it felt like he had won the lottery.

'To have this happen where we get her back alive, and where she remembers things from the past, and to have people in custody is a triple win,' he said.

Mr Probyn was among the last people to see his stepdaughter before she was kidnapped, watching in horror as she was bundled into a car screaming as she walked to a bus stop outside her home in Lake Tahoe.

Ms Dugard re-emerged when Phillip Garrido and his wife (pictured right) turned up at a police station after he was spotted with children; something he is banned from doing after being convicted of child sex offences.


He is being held on suspicion of kidnapping, rape, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor and conspiracy. Nancy Garrido is being held on suspicion of conspiracy and kidnapping.

Knifed Millwall fan 'innocent family man'

By Matthew Champion.

A football fan stabbed before the stormy West Ham v Millwall Carling Cup tie this week has been described as an 'innocent family man'.

Police said the unnamed 43-year-old and ten family members, all Millwall fans, had arrived at the wrong entrance at Upton Park before being pursued by a 'large group' of West Ham supporters.

The man and his two teenage sons, who along with the rest of the group were not wearing any team colours, were punched and kicked as they fled along nearby Tudor Road.

He was then separated from his sons when he was stabbed in the chest, managing to crawl to Priory Road where he collapsed and was later found by police.

A statement said the man remained in a stable condition in an east London hospital.

'This incident was not a pre-arranged act of violence between two sets of rival supporters; this was an innocent family man who was subjected to a senseless attack by people intent on causing violence,' said Detective Inspector Lee Barnard of the Metropolitan police.

'Although the family were not wearing any clothing that would identify them as Millwall supporters, their direction of travel may have indicated that they were.

'The victim was subjected to a brutal and sustained attack as he and his family tried to flee to safety. If not for the swift intervention of paramedics, the man would have lost his life.

'I urge anyone who witnessed this attack, or has information that can assist this investigation, to contact us.'

Nine people have so far been charged over violence in and around Upton Park before and during Tuesday's match, which West Ham won 3-1 after extra time.

The Football Association and England's World Cup bid team have both condemned the scenes, while both clubs have vowed to ban supporters found to have been involved.

Dalai Lama to visit Taiwan

By inthenews.co.uk staff.

Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is to visit the survivors of Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan.

In a move that risks angering the mainland, Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou told reporters he had invited the Dalai Lama to the island's devastated southern Kaohsiung county.

Hundreds of people died in the storm, which the Taiwanese government has been accused of reacting slowly to.

The Dalai Lama was first invited to visit the country by the opposition Democratic Progressive party, with President Ma confirming the visit today.

'We have decided to [agree to] the Dalai Lama's visit to pray for the souls of the deceased and seek blessings for the survivors of the typhoon,' he said.

A spokesman added the Buddhist leader's visit was being made on purely humanitarian and spiritual, not political, grounds, with a large community of exiled Tibetans living in Taiwan.

Beijing regards the Dalai Lama as having a 'splittist' agenda following his long campaign for greater Tibetan autonomy.

The mainland government, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory despite being governed separately since 1949, is yet to comment on the Dalai Lama's arranged visit.

Beijing typically dislikes foreign governments hosting the Tibetan leader, who leads a government in exile in Dharamsala.

Israel, US closer to peace talks middle ground

By Matthew Champion.

A resumption of Middle East peace talks was one step closer last night after a four-hour meeting between Benjamin Netanyahu and the White House's special envoy.

The Israeli prime minister and George Mitchell emerged from talks in London to hail 'good progress' made towards restarting the peace process.

'[Mr Netanyahu and Mr Mitchell] agreed on the importance of restarting meaningful negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians and working toward a comprehensive peace, and that all sides need to take concrete steps toward peace,' a joint statement said.

A key sticking point to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Mr Netanyahu holding talks at the meeting of the UN general assembly in New York next month is the issue of Israeli settlers in occupied Palestinian land.

There are more than 300,000 Israeli settlers on the West Bank, which the Palestinians want to form a key part of any future independent state.

Barack Obama has repeatedly urged Mr Netanyahu to accept that a freeze on settlement-building is a precursor to peace talks resuming but the US president's call has so far fallen on deaf ears.

The Israeli prime minister's position is complicated by some members of his cabinet actually living in some of the settlements in question.

A spokesman for the Israeli government, Mark Regev, said the Jewish state was looking for 'common ground' with the Obama administration to restart the peace process.

'For that process to be meaningful, the Arab world has to be part of it,' he added.

One vote, one casualty for UK troops in Afghanistan

By Matthew Champion.

The price of democracy in some of the most embattled parts of Afghanistan equalled one British life for less than 40 votes, it has emerged.

Four out of ten of the UK soldiers who died during Operation Panther's Claw, designed to retake areas under Taliban control in volatile Helmand province, died in or around the former insurgent stronghold of Babaji.

But in Babaji, north of Lashkar Gah, just 150 votes were cast in last Thursday's presidential elections out of a total electorate of 80,000.

Thirteen polling stations were established in the area, but they attracted just 11 voters each.

Initial figures released by Afghanistan's electoral commission put the UK casualty to Afghan vote ratio as 1:1.

Speaking to journalists via video-link from Kabul this week, the British ambassador to Afghanistan Mark Sedwill reiterated the Ministry of Defence's view that Panther's Claw 'was not specifically itself about the election'

'The clear phase of that operation only ended a couple of weeks before the election... there is a long road to go until that entire area is fully secure,' he explained.

Early figures from last week's elections suggest incumbent Hamid Karzai is due to win a second term as president.

With about a third of votes cast he stands on 45 per cent to former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah's 35 per cent vote share. If accurate, the figures would necessitate a second round of voting.

In the last seven years the UK death-toll in Afghanistan has reached 207, with 70 soldiers dying in the last year alone.

2009 is also already the bloodiest year for foreign troops overall with 295 deaths.

Chavez threatens end to Colombia relations

By inthenews.co.uk staff.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez says diplomatic relations with Colombia are in jeopardy after the latter extended its deal to lease military bases to the US.

President Chavez's Colombian and American counterparts Alvaro Uribe and Barack Obama signed a new deal that will see US troops based at seven Colombian bases for a further ten years.

Bogotá insists the troops are there to combat drug trafficking and leftist guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

But Mr Chavez claimed in a broadcast on state television last night that the US troops would be used to unseat him.

'We are going to prepare for this, because the Colombian bourgeoisie hates us,' he said.

'And now, it just isn't possible to make up. No, it is impossible.

'The agreement of the seven bases is a declaration of war against the Bolivarian Revolution [which brought President Chavez to power].'

Relations between Bogotá and Caracas are already at a low after Colombia accused Venezuela of supplying anti-tank weapons to Farc, albeit inadvertently.

'Gumtree customer' stabbed in heart

A man is in hospital after being stabbed in the heart in east London when he went to buy a car from someone had had contacted on the website Gumtree.

The 42-year-old man was punched, kicked and stabbed after he followed up an advert on the site to buy a new VW Golf car; he was carrying a large amount of cash with him to buy the car when he was attacked.

Police said it has emerged since that the registered keeper of the car was unaware it was being offered for sale. The victim was treated at the scene by air ambulance and transferred to the Royal London hospital, where he underwent life-saving surgery.

Metropolitan police Detective Chief Inspector Ellie O'Connor said: 'This was a brutal attack on an innocent man who was responding to an online advertisement in good faith.'

Police said the attack to place on Barking's North Street at 15:50 BST on July 30th.

Witnesses said two men, believed to be black and in their 20s, were seen assaulting the man. Following the incident a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old youth were arrested nearby. They are both currently on bail until October 7th pending further investigation.

DCI O'Connor warned the public to take care when using classified sites such as Gumtree. She said: 'Millions of successful transactions take place on the internet every day.

'There are occasions when transactions go wrong however most of these incidents involve some form of dispute rather than criminal activity.

'Events that result in personal injury are fortunately very rare, nevertheless, if you are confident that the seller is genuine, you should still take steps to ensure your safety.

'Do not go to the meeting point alone, do not carry large amounts of cash on your person, make sure that you meet in a busy area and never allow yourself to be lured away from a safe meeting place.'

If you have information concerning this, or any other crime, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or Barking CID on 0208 217 5535.

UK soldier dies of wounds in Birmingham hospital

A UK soldier brought home from Afghanistan after he was wounded while on foot patrol has died from his wounds in a British hospital.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the unnamed soldier from Second Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers died from his wounds yesterday at the Royal College of Defence Medicine, Selly Oak.

A statement from the MoD said the soldier was wounded in an explosion while on foot patrol near Sangin in Helmand province last Saturday.

Spokesman for Taskforce Helmand Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, said: 'This fine British soldier made the ultimate sacrifice and his passing is mourned by the Task Force. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and comrades at this very sad time.'

The soldier's next of kin have been informed and the family have asked for a 24-hour period of grace before any further details are released.

Some 207 British service personnel have been killed as a result of operations in Afghanistan since 2001, with 70 dying this year alone.

Four US troops were killed yesterday, with a massive car bomb in southern Afghan city of Kandahar killing at least 40 and wounding more than 60, making 2009 the deadliest year for western troops stationed in the country.

'Senator of senators' Edward Kennedy mourned

The United States has lost a great leader in the shape of Edward Kennedy, Barack Obama has said.

The venerable senator passed away in the early hours of this morning at the age of 77 after a long battle with a brain tumour.

The brother of assassinated president John F Kennedy was the third-longest serving senator in history, being re-elected to Capitol Hill seven times by Massachusetts voters.

Senator Kennedy was among the first senior Democrats to endorse President Obama during his campaign for the White House; the backing of the senior representative of the influential Kennedy clan seen as a key reason for his eventual election.

In a statement President Obama said: 'Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time.'

Tributes in the UK were led by prime minister Gordon Brown, who said the US had lots the 'senator of senators'.

'Senator Edward Kennedy will be mourned not just in America but in every continent,' he said.

'He led the world in championing children's education and health care, and believed that every single child should have the chance to realise their potential to the full. Even facing illness and death he never stopped fighting for the causes which were his life's work.

'I am proud to have counted him as a friend and proud that the United Kingdom recognised his service earlier this year with the award of an honorary knighthood. My thoughts and those of Sarah are with his remarkable and loving wife Vicki and his great family.'

Senator Kennedy's famous family lost his two older brothers, John and Robert, who were both assassinated, as well as brother Joseph who was killed in the second world war.

More recently the family grieved for his sister Eunice Shriver, who died earlier this month.

Californian governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is married to Kennedy's niece Maria Shriver, told CNN: 'Maria and I are immensely saddened by the passing of Uncle Teddy. He was known to the world as the lion of the Senate, a champion of social justice, and a political icon.

'Most importantly, he was the rock of our family: a loving husband, father, brother and uncle. He was a man of great faith and character.'

In May 2008 Mr Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, which kept him from attending the funeral of his sister.

A dominant force in liberal politics in the US, he was a great supporter on issues such as healthcare and education.

His death was announced by his family this morning in a statement: 'Edward M Kennedy, the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply, died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port (Massachusetts).

'We've lost the irreplaceable centre of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever.'

Taliban deny Kandahar bombing

The Taliban have denied any involvement in a bombing in southern Afghanistan which killed 43 people yesterday.

Scores of civilians were injured in the blast in Kandahar, the deadliest in the country in 2009.

The blast took place as people left a wedding hall to break their Ramadan fast in the southern city.

Despite suspicion immediately falling on the Taliban, a spokesman for the insurgents told the Associated Press news agency that the group condemned the attack.

According to the Afghan interior ministry an explosive device was blown up inside a lorry by remote control, leaving dozens of people trapped under rubble.

The blast comes a week after Afghans went to the polls in landmark presidential and provincial elections.

Early indications are that incumbent Hamid Karzai has won a second term.

Obama plots Middle East talks coup

Barack Obama hopes to hold key talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders next month to announce a resumption of Middle East peace talks.

According to diplomatic sources President Obama wants to announce talks getting back on track flanked by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas at a meeting of the UN general assembly in New York in September.

Peace talks had been put on the backburner after an Israeli offensive in Gaza at the turn of this year, while the election of Mr Netanyahu's Likud party to government proved a further blow.

The current Israeli administration is yet to explicitly back the two-state solution elevated by Mr Obama as the only viable option. The Jewish state has also been stung by Washington's insistence that settlement building be frozen as a precursor to talks; a fact that is problematic for members of Mr Netanyahu's cabinet who actually live in settlements.

Mr Netanyahu is currently in London where he yesterday held talks with Gordon Brown ahead of a meeting with President Obama's Middle East envoy George Mitchell.

It has emerged that a key part of any talks beginning is a new wave of international action against Iran's nuclear programme.

The US, Britain, France and Germany are expected to ask Russia and China to consider a fourth round of sanctions against Tehran at the UN next month.

'If there is no further progress immediately then I believe the world will have to look at stepping up sanctions against Iran as a matter of priority,' Mr Brown said on Tuesday.

A diplomatic source added: 'Iran is an existential threat to Israel; settlements are not.'

Jonah Hill: My parents are relieved I made it

A career in comedy came with its own limits in the family of Jonah Hill, the Funny People star has explained.

Hill plays an aspiring comedian and actor in Judd Apatow's latest comedy-drama and told a London press conference he had been greatly inspired by British funnymen such as Ricky Gervais and Steve Coogan.

However, the 25-year-old, who made his film debut in I Heart Huckabees before roles in The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, said his eventual comic stardom after parts in Superbad and Forgetting Sarah Marshall had come as a relief to his parents.

'My parents were very supportive,' Hill explained, 'but my Dad made it very clear that I would not receive a dollar from him, ever.

'He said 'I just want you to be happy but know that you have to support yourself'.'

The Walk Hard actor continued: 'But now they're really psyched because there were a few years when it looked like I wasn't going to amount to anything!'

'I think they were relieved I came out of that with a really hard work ethic and succeeded in what I was trying to and what made me happy.'

Funny People is released on August 28th.

Climate Camp activists swoop on Blackheath

By Matthew Champion.

Thousands of environmental activists are swooping upon Blackheath in Greenwich as a week-long demonstration dubbed Climate Camp begins.

Despite the protestors' green motives, all eyes are on the response of the Metropolitan police to the temporary camp in the first major policing test since the G20.

Organisers initially refused to tell the police the location of the camp other than 'somewhere within the M25' but it was revealed to supporters, and a train of journalists and photographers, via text message.

Activists had earlier gathered at six swoop starting points. Around midday, groups in West London had begun to move towards Trafalgar Square, while those in the east remained put, leading many commentators to speculate that the final location would be somewhere in east London.

Protesters based in Bank and Moorgate played 'activist bingo' and made home-made banners as curious City workers looked on.

An hour later, texts revealed the secret camp location as Greenwich Park and many protesters boarded the Dockland Light Railway (DLR) heading towards Cutty Sark.

So far, a festive and peaceful atmosphere has prevailed with the Metropolitan police using 'community' policing, in stark contrast to the G20 protests in April.
'We are not expecting any violence or trouble unless it's caused by the police,' Kevin Smith, a Climate Camp organiser, told politics.co.uk.

In an open letter to Scotland Yard explaining their secrecy, Climate Camp organisers said: 'While most visitors to previous camps have had an inspiring and positive experience, some of us have had to suffer violence, intimidation, theft, sleep deprivation and harassment, thanks to past examples of 'pre-planned and proportionate policing operations'.

'I'm afraid we just don't trust the police. Why? Because it seems as though every time we have a protest, the police turn up and start hitting people. Look what happened at the G20.'

In the aftermath of the G20 protests in central London the Met was savaged for its heavy-handed approach which saw thousands of people, protestors and bystanders alike, 'kettled' and prevented from leaving.

In response the Met promised 'community-style policing', setting up a Twitter account @CO11metpolice for activists to keep in touch. Hours before the camp, which runs until September 2nd, only 358 people had signed up to follow the profile's updates, most of them considered to be journalists.

Campbell: County is my future

Upon signing for League Two side Notts County, Sol Campbell claimed it was the future plans and ambitions of the league leaders - and not the wages - which persuaded him to sign.

The former England defender reiterated throughout his press conference that his decision was based on a promising future, as more details were released about the shock signing.

Campbell has signed a five-year contract with County with possible incentives based around a future coaching role.

Campbell also revealed that he had interest from other Premier League clubs but turned them down in favour of Sven Goran Eriksson's revolution.

On plying his trade in League Two, Campbell commented: 'League wise it is dropping down but you've just got to adjust.

'Of course it will be different, but I don't mind starting over.'

Campbell has been a free agent since leaving Portsmouth in the summer and did admit that he would not be match fit for another two to three weeks.

Asked if he would ever consider returning to the Premier League, the defender said: 'Never say never.'

County manager Ian McParland spoke of his delight at capturing the defender but hoped that all the expected press coverage wouldn't take away from the early season achievements of his side.

He said: 'He is a great player and a great organiser, and his experience will be invaluable to our push for promotion this season.

'But some of my players have played in the Premier League before and can play football. We are a well-run club even before we acquired financial stability.'

Domenicalli: Schumi will not return to F1 this season

Ferrari have ended speculation that Michael Schumacher might be making a return to formula one this season.

The seven-time world champion was due to step-in for the injured Felipe Massa from the European grand prix in Valencia until the Brazilian was deemed fit enough to make a return to the sport.

But Schumacher was forced to scrap his plans because of a neck injury he suffered during a superbike test in Spain earlier in the year.

Since his announcement, there has been speculation that the German might step into Massa's seat at Ferrari later in the year, once his injury has had more time to recover.

However, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicalli has confirmed that Schumacher will not appear in the car this year.

He said: 'I'm happy he is training, but what I can absolutely rule out is that Michael can return this year as a racing driver.'

Domenicalli believes it would've been tough for Schumacher after such a long absence, but he insists that Schumacher would have performed well at the European grand prix in Valencia.

'It would have been tough for Michael too, because it's a difficult track and it's new,' Domenicalli continued.

'Obviously his approach is always aggressive. Would he have done well? I really think so, because he wouldn't have gone for it if he wasn't confident.

'As for how well, I'd be dishonest: I don't know. However, he would certainly have done well.'

Campbell: County is my future

Upon signing for League Two side Notts County, Sol Campbell claimed it was the future plans and ambitions of the league leaders - and not the wages - which persuaded him to sign.

The former England defender reiterated throughout his press conference that his decision was based on a promising future, as more details were released about the shock signing.

Campbell has signed a five-year contract with County with possible incentives based around a future coaching role.

Campbell also revealed that he had interest from other Premier League clubs but turned them down in favour of Sven Goran Eriksson's revolution.

On plying his trade in League Two, Campbell commented: 'League wise it is dropping down but you've just got to adjust.

'Of course it will be different, but I don't mind starting over.'

Campbell has been a free agent since leaving Portsmouth in the summer and did admit that he would not be match fit for another two to three weeks.

Asked if he would ever consider returning to the Premier League, the defender said: 'Never say never.'

County manager Ian McParland spoke of his delight at capturing the defender but hoped that all the expected press coverage wouldn't take away from the early season achievements of his side.

He said: 'He is a great player and a great organiser, and his experience will be invaluable to our push for promotion this season.

'But some of my players have played in the Premier League before and can play football. We are a well-run club even before we acquired financial stability.'

Domenicalli: Schumi will not return to F1 this season

Ferrari have ended speculation that Michael Schumacher might be making a return to formula one this season.

The seven-time world champion was due to step-in for the injured Felipe Massa from the European grand prix in Valencia until the Brazilian was deemed fit enough to make a return to the sport.

But Schumacher was forced to scrap his plans because of a neck injury he suffered during a superbike test in Spain earlier in the year.

Since his announcement, there has been speculation that the German might step into Massa's seat at Ferrari later in the year, once his injury has had more time to recover.

However, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicalli has confirmed that Schumacher will not appear in the car this year.

He said: 'I'm happy he is training, but what I can absolutely rule out is that Michael can return this year as a racing driver.'

Domenicalli believes it would've been tough for Schumacher after such a long absence, but he insists that Schumacher would have performed well at the European grand prix in Valencia.

'It would have been tough for Michael too, because it's a difficult track and it's new,' Domenicalli continued.

'Obviously his approach is always aggressive. Would he have done well? I really think so, because he wouldn't have gone for it if he wasn't confident.

'As for how well, I'd be dishonest: I don't know. However, he would certainly have done well.'

Badoer confirmed for Spa

Stefano Domenicalli of Ferrari confirmed that Luca Badoer will continue as Felipe Massa's replacement in Belgium, despite only finishing in 20th place at the European grand prix in Valencia.

Badoer stepped in in place of Michael Schumacher, who was unable to replace the recovering Felipe Massa because of a neck injury he suffered in a superbike test in Spain earlier in the year.

The 38-year old Italian has been a test driver for the Scuderia for 12 years, but had never raced for the team until last weekend - when he failed to meet everybody's expectations.

But Domenicalli has stated that the aim for Valencia was for Badoer to finish the race and that the Italian is yet to show his full potential.

'First of all, I think it was important for him to finish. We need to stay cool and calm and I'm sure that we've seen a Luca that has not really shown up his real potential,' Domenicalli said.

'Apart from the fact that he hasn't raced in a long time, from a psychological point of view, believe me, the pressure is worse.'

Domenicalli confirmed that Badoer will be in Massa's car next weekend at Spa, but was unable to say whether the team would keep him on for the final five races of the season.

'I think we will speak together, I think that we will discuss tonight because we want to keep up Luca, because he was a real team player and this is very important for Ferrari,' he added.

Scotland recall Weir and Kyle ahead of crucial qualifiers

Scotland boss George Burley has recalled David Weir and Kevin Kyle for the nation's must-win World Cup qualifiers against FYR Macedonia and Holland.

Burley has been forced to make a U-turn over Rangers captain Weir, who was axed in controversial fashion for Scotland's 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Norway earlier this month.

However, as a result of injuries and suspensions the Scotland manager has recalled the 39-year-old defender.

Striker Kyle, 28, has not featured for his country for more than five years but has also been handed a recall after impressing since joining Kilmarnock in January.

The forward has scored ten goals in his last 14 appearances, nine of which have come in his last six games.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon also returns after recovering from a lengthy injury lay-off.

Ross McCormack, Barry Robson and Chris Iwelumo are all ruled out with injuries.

The Scots face Macedonia on September 5th and then Holland four days later, both matches will be played at Hampden Park.

Anything less than three points against the Macedonians will result in Scotland being unable to qualify for next summer's World Cup finals.

Scotland squad to face Macedonia and Holland:

Gordon (Sunderland), N Alexander (Rangers), Marshall (Cardiff); Barr (Falkirk), McManus (Celtic), Berra (Wolves), G Caldwell (Celtic), S Caldwell (Burnley), Davidson (Preston), Hutton (Tottenham), McAllister (Bristol City), Whittaker (Rangers), Weir (Rangers); G Alexander (Burnley), Brown (Celtic), Commons (Derby), D Fletcher (Manchester United), Hartley (Bristol City), McFadden (Birmingham), Maloney (Celtic); Clarkson (Bristol City), S Fletcher (Burnley), Kyle (Kilmarnock), Miller (Rangers), Naismith (Rangers).

Flintoff surgery successful

Andrew Flintoff has undergone surgery on his injured knee and will now begin a full rehabilitation programme in order to return to match-playing fitness.

The England all-rounder has been suffering with his troublesome right knee throughout the victorious Ashes campaign - the final Test series of his career.

He was given pain-killers to be able to take part in the fifth and final Test at the Oval last week before it was announced he would go under the knife for the fourth time in the last two seasons.

In a statement this morning, the ECB medical team confirmed the procedure to repair two micro-fractures in the joint was a success but stopped short of giving a likely recovery time.

'The recovery from the operation will require him to be non weight-bearing for the first six to eight weeks post surgery,' the statement reads.

'At the end of this six to eight week period, the knee will be reviewed by his surgeon and the timescale for ongoing rehabilitation further determined.'

The injury will keep Flintoff out of the entire one-day international series against Australia over the next few weeks, while the veteran is also likely to miss the Champions Trophy in South Africa in September and October and the two Twenty20s against the Proteas in November.

Everton sign Bilyaletdinov

Everton have completed the signing of Russian midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov from Lokomotiv Moscow for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old, who is an established international with 28 caps, penned a five-year deal with the Toffees which will keep him at Goodison Park until 2014.

Bilyaletdinov will now return to Russia to complete the formalities of a visa application to enter the UK.

The Russian will be ineligible for Thursday's Europa League play-off second leg with Sigma Olomouc due to the Uefa registration deadline passing and is unlikely to feature in this weekend's Premier League fixture against Wigan.

Instead, Bilyaletdinov is set to arrive in the UK in early September for Russia's World Cup qualifier against Wales and is then likely to join up with his Everton team-mates ahead of the trip to Fulham on September 13th.

'We are delighted to have secured the services of Diniyar,' Everton chief executive Robert Elstone told the club's website.

'I know David Moyes has wanted to bring him to Goodison for some time and we look forward to welcoming him.'

Bilyaletdinov broke into Lokomotiv's first team in 2004, where he established a reputation for his direct attacking style as well as displaying the leadership skills which earned him the captain's armband.

The left-footed midfielder then made his debut for Russia as a 20-year-old in 2005 and featured in every game during his nation's run to the Euro 2008 semi-finals.

Rosberg: Our car will suit Spa

Nico Rosberg is chasing down a podium finish at the Belgium grand prix at Spa-Francorchamps this coming weekend.

The German driver has put in some consistent performances so far this year and finishes a credible fifth place in the European grand prix.

Rosberg believes that the team were capable of reaching the podium in Valencia, but he thinks the FW31 will perform well at Spa also.

Reviewing Williams' performance last weekend, Rosberg said it was a good weekend during which the team performed well.

'The FW31 has been consistent on every single track so far so I’m pleased with the way the team is working,' said Rosberg.

'In relation to other teams, we’ve done well on the development front as well.

'We should have been on the podium this race, but McLaren have made an even bigger jump than us which is frustrating, but we are always there and a podium should come soon.

'Hopefully Kazuki will have some more good fortune on his side for the rest of the season as he was very quick this weekend and he could have scored some points if it weren’t for the puncture.'

The young German is looking forward to racing on the Spa circuit and he is confident that he will be quick.

'Spa should be good for the team. It’s a very high speed track, very different to Valencia, but our car goes really well everywhere,' Rosberg said.

'This track, in particular, will suit our car because we have a strong aero package for the quick corners so I’m looking forward to it.'

Swann flies up bowler rankings

Graeme Swann is now the tenth best Test match bowler in the world, according to the latest statistics published by the ICC.

The England off-spinner has jumped an astonishing 17 places in the ICC player rankings after his Ashes heroics, which saw the 30-year-old take the wicket that brought the urn home to England and a total of 14 wickets in the series.

The Nottinghamshire bowler is joined in the top ten by James Anderson, who has fallen two places to ninth after a poor final two Test matches.

South African paceman Dale Steyn still remains top of the tree.

England will travel to South Africa this winter and are set to come up against Steyn as well as the experienced Makhaya Ntini (fourth) and spinner Paul Harris (eighth).

Two other Ashes stars - England's Stuart Broad and Australia's Peter Siddle - are tied for 13th place, moving up 11 and four places, respectively.

Broad put in a man-of-the-match performance at the Oval, where the home side recaptured the urn, and is now ranked the fifth best all-rounder currently in international cricket.

Ponting: Regrets? I've got a few

Ricky Ponting admitted his team selection ultimately undid Australia's chances of holding on to the Ashes after their 2-1 series defeat.

The Aussies were confident enough about the Oval wicket to ignore any specialist spinners in their XI, but the defeated captain admitted in the immediate aftermath of the defeat that it was a mistake.

'In hindsight, no; it wasn't the right side,' Ponting said, after Nathan Hauritz was left in the pavilion.

'We thought the wicket was ready to play on, but while it was a poor wicket I'm not blaming it for us losing. All the same it was a poor Test match wicket.'

The 34-year-old said he was proud of his team 'fighting it out right to the end' but could not hide his disappointment at the loss.

'As the captain of the side I'm the one that holds the responsibility and it's more disappointing as a result,' he said.

Ponting, who faced Ashes disappointment here in 2005 when the Test was drawn, went on to say: 'It's probably fair to say I've had a few disappointing times here, drawing in 2005 and losing this time around as well.

'It's not my favourite ground in the world.

'But we've enjoyed being a part of it all, all our guys will learn a lot.'

A remarkably composed and polite Ponting added that he had not lost any of his fire to win the famous urn back, and reserved special praise for one of England's top emerging talents.

'It makes me pretty determined I must admit,' he said.

'This whole series has see-sawed from one side to another, and for me it was [Stuart] Broad that really stood out.'

Fake blood 'rife in rugby union'

The Rugby Football Union's ongoing investigation into the use of fake blood in rugby union has apparently shown the practice of fabricating injuries is rife in the game.

RFU disciplinary officer Judge Jeff Blackett has confirmed no further action will be taken against other players and clubs suspected of using fake blood to effect substitutions, despite at least four other previous instances being confirmed at Harlequins alone.

In a disclosure to the RFU, former Quins and England physion Steph Brennan revealed that he had been involved in four other uses of fake blood before the incident involving Tom Williams during the Leinster Heineken Cup quarter-final last season.

After being caught cheating, Brennan was forced to resign from his position with both club and country and banned from practicing for two years while Quins director of rugby Dean Richards resigned and was given a three-year ban.

However, Judge Blackett has taken the unusual step of admitting the practice is too widespread to single out Harleqins for punishment after an anonymous internal review within the club revealed players had been asked to partake in similar 'fake bloods' at other clubs.

'It is apparent from evidence provided to the Harlequins internal review by players who described practices in other teams in which they have played, that Harlequins is not the only club which may have been guilty of inappropriate behaviour of a similar kind,' Judge Blackett noted.

According to Brennan, fake blood is used for a variety of reasons including tactical substitutions and to protect the welfare of players on the pitch whose risk assessments on other injuries in order to continue playing cannot be made in the time available.

On some occasions the fake blood, he claims, is used to facilitate the withdrawal of a player for further and closer assessment of their fitness and wellbeing during games, without having to perform an irreversible substitution.

RFU chief executive Francis Baron has announced the establishment of a taskforce to look into the issue within the professional game.

'The review will be wide-ranging, thorough and recommendations [will be made] in the best interests of the whole game,' he said.

'Further details on members of the taskforce and its terms of reference will be announced very shortly.'

In his official written decision, Judge Blackett continued: 'In relation to the four players identified at the ERC appeal hearing I have decided not to take any further action.

'I have made this decision for the following reasons:

'First, on each occasion the decision to use fake blood was made by the team management and not the players themselves. Mr Richards and Mr Brennan have already been punished significantly and the length of their sanction reflects the fact that the matter before the ERC appeal panel was not isolated. Any further sanction against those two individuals for the other four occasions would be concurrent to the sanctions they have already received.

'Second, the players named by Mr Brennan have not had the opportunity to respond to any allegations against them. Before taking any disciplinary action a further investigation would be required and it would rely on the co-operation of Mr Brennan and Mr Richards. This would take some time and continue to attract comment and speculation which might further damage reputations.

'Third, the evidence which identifies those four players was obtained initially by Harlequins by a review which promised anonymity and immunity from disciplinary proceedings. If I now initiate disciplinary proceedings the players involved would have a strong argument that those proceedings were an abuse of process.

'Fourth, disciplinary action against these four players could deter other players who will be asked to assist the RFU review.

'Finally, the behaviours that led to these occasions will be considered as part of the wider RFU review.'

He added: 'For these reasons I do not believe it to be in the best interests of the game or the union either to publish the names of the players or to initiate disciplinary proceedings in relation to those occasions of alleged misconduct.'

The end of legal highs

So-called legal highs including man-made chemicals sprayed on herbal smoking products and the chemical solvent GBL will be banned by the end of the year.

The government announced on Tuesday that a range of drugs would be outlawed once the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 could be modified to ban them.

Home secretary Alan Johnson's decision comes after the government's drug advisory group recommended a ban on the substances last week. A campaign is also due to be launched at university campuses next week to warn of the dangers of mixing them with alcohol.

Home secretary Alan Johnson said: 'There is a perception that many of the so called 'legal highs' are harmless, however in some cases people can be ingesting dangerous industrial fluids or smoking chemicals that can be even more harmful than cannabis.

'Legal highs are an emerging threat, particularly to young people, and we have a duty to educate them about the dangers. That's why we are also launching a campaign in September to highlight the risks.'

The chemical solvent GBL (gamma-butyrolactone), which is converted, with a like chemical, into the class C drug GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) in the body will be controlled as class C drugs and banned when intended for human consumption.

Synthetic cannabinoids - man-made chemicals sprayed on herbal smoking products such as 'Spice' which act on the body in a similar way to cannabis - will be controlled as a class B drug alongside cannabis.

BZP (Benzylpiperazine) and related piperazines, which are stimulants taken as an alternative to amphetamines, will be controlled as class C drugs.

The new classifications will come with a new information campaign aimed at young people starting university.

Professor David Nutt, chair of the ACMD said that the soon-to-be-banned substances were 'dangerous drugs, especially when mixed with alcohol'.

But Steve Rolles of drug reform group Transform told politics.co.uk the government was responding with a 'myopic, short-term, knee-jerk reaction'.

'These things are undoubtedly harmful, but it would be better to regulate them,' he said.

Spain bears brunt of rowdy Brits abroad

More than 2,000 British tourists were arrested in Spain in the year before this summer, the latest government figures have shown.

Details from British consulates around the world reveal Spain to be the hotspot for Britons getting into trouble abroad, with 2,290 arrests and 741 hospitalisations.

But with Spain far and away the most popular destination for UK tourists, British travellers were most likely to be arrested in United Arab Emirates (UAE), Thailand and the US.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned that British tourists should always be aware of local customs before travelling, with topless sunbathing, public displays of affection and swearing punishable offences in many of the above countries.

'Researching the local laws and customs before you travel could avoid time in a foreign jail,' said Foreign Office minister Chris Bryant.

'Getting comprehensive travel insurance means that whilst an accident may disrupt your holiday, it won't bankrupt you in extortionate medical or repatriation bills.

'The message is clear – have a great time while you're away, but make the necessary preparations before you go.'

The figures out today show that in the 12 months April 2008 to March 2009 there were 2.1 million consular enquiries worldwide.

In the same period there were 991 arrests of UK citizens - a fifth of all arrests - for drug offences; 116 cases of rape and 154 sexual assaults; and 29,774 cases of lost or stolen passports.

Settlement freeze on agenda as Netanyahu in London

Gordon Brown will today hold talks with Benjamin Netanyahu in London amid rumours his Israeli counterpart is close to agreeing a freeze on new settlements.

The issue of Israeli settlers has driven a wedge between the Jewish state and its principle ally the US, with recent comments by members of Mr Netanyahu's cabinet exacerbating a growing problem.

On his part, Mr Brown is a firm exponent of a two-state solution that Barack Obama says is the only solution to the Middle East peace process but the ruling Likud party refuses to explicitly accept.

Standing beside Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas in talks in London earlier this year, Mr Brown said: 'Settlement expansion has made peace harder to achieve.

'It erodes trust, it heightens Palestinian suffering, it makes the compromises Israel will need to make for peace more difficult. So we are very clear - not just Britain but the whole of the European Union - what should be done.'

There are reports however that Mr Netanyahu will use the London visit to finally accept the Obama administration plan is the only viable solution in order to head off growing discontent in Washington over recent remarks by his ministers.

Avigdor Lierberman, the hard-line foreign minister in Mr Netanyahu's coalition government who himself lives on a settlement, said Mr Obama's dreams of a Palestinian state were 'unrealistic'.

'Even in another 16 years, we won't have an agreement,' he said.

And deputy prime minister Moshe Ya'alon forced Mr Netanyahu to interrupt his holiday when he was recorded saying in a mobile phone conversation that he was 'not afraid of the Americans'.

'There are moments when we must say, 'We've had it up to here',' he said.

As Mr Netanyahu prepared to leave London a spokesman for the Israeli prime minister said: 'The prime minister will make it clear that, during the process, Israel will not allow any limitation or restriction of its sovereignty over Jerusalem and that there must be guarantees settlers can lead a normal life.'

At the very least the visit of his Israeli counterpart will provide Mr Brown with a distraction from the furore over the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al Megrahi by the Scottish government and his silence on the issue.

Worst UK prisons named and shamed

The worst and most overcrowded prisons in the UK have been revealed, with Shrewsbury topping the list as most overcrowded.

The Prison Reform Trust, which has published the 'top 20' list of prisons, warned prison overcrowding and high reoffending levels are in 'in danger of being regarded by ministers as a fact of life and too difficult to fix'.

The trust says the prison population has reached a record high of over 84,000 prisoners, with almost two thirds of the prisons in England and Wales officially overcrowded. They say there are now 8,865 more people in prison than the system is designed to hold.

But the Ministry of Justice said the government is in the process of building more prisons, and will always ensure places for serious and persistent offenders.

But the trust says there is 'sentence inflation' which must be tackled. From their list of the worst prisons, they say Shrewsbury currently holds 316 men, when it is designed to hold 177, and Swansea holds 395 men, when it should hold 230. Dorchester was in third place, holding 229 men, but designed for 137.

Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust said: 'Pressure on public spending means that ministers can no longer afford to be complacent about prison overcrowding or the high reconviction rates it leads to.

'Simply building more prisons is an expensive dead end. The only way to reserve prison for serious and violent offenders is to cut out all unnecessary use of breach and remand and tackle sentence inflation and the growth of indeterminate punishments.

'Investment in prevention, treatment for addicts and mental healthcare would all pay dividends. After more than ten years of lurching from crisis to crisis it must be time for coordinated effort across departments and authoritative leadership.'

The trust added, 88 out of 140 jails were over the prison service's certified normal accommodation: 'the good, decent standard of accommodation that the service aspires to provide all prisoners', and nine prisons were so full they reached, and in one case went beyond, their 'safe overcrowding limit'.

But the Ministry of Justice has said it is doing all it can. A spokesperson for the MoJ said: 'We will always provide enough prison places for serious and persistent offenders.

'The government is pursuing an extensive building programme to expand the prison estate and expect to deliver an additional 1,750 places in 2009. Since 2007 a total of 4,929 places have been delivered as part of the capacity programme. The vast majority of these places, almost 4,700, have been provided in new accommodation.

'This is intended to provide us with sufficient space to modernise the estate and ensure prisons remain places of both punishment and reform.'

They added new prisons were being built in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, London, Merseyside, Staffordshire and Leicestershire.

Kerry Katona cautioned for drug possession

Kerry Katona has been cautioned for possession of a controlled substance, believed to be cocaine.

The reality TV star was filmed by a Sunday newspaper snorting what looked to be cocaine, and police have since interviewed her over the offence, reports say.

A Cheshire police spokeswoman confirmed a woman, 28, had been cautioned today.

Katona, who lives with her husband Mark Croft and her four children in Wilmslow, told the Sunday Mirror she was 'ashamed' of her actions. She added: 'I have let my children down.'

The 28-year-old first shot to fame in the UK as a member of girl-band Atomic Kitten, then marrying Brian McFadden, with whom she has two daughters. When she won the third series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, she received a small fame revival.

Cuban TV shows sprightly Fidel Castro

New footage of Fidel Castro has been broadcast in Cuba, showing the 83-year-old looking fit and healthy.

Mr Castro was shown in talks with Ecuadorean president Rafael Correa, while footage of him with Venezuelan students at his home was also broadcast.

The 83-year-old has not appeared on camera since undergoing an operation 14 months ago. The chief of the Cuban Communist party was looking stronger and fitter by state TV, which more recently had shown him looking unwell.

In a photograph in state-run media over the weekend, he appeared well; quashing concerns his health had deteriorated over the last few months. He was forced to cede power to his brother Raul, 78, in 2006 due to ailing health.

Cuba's state-run press occasionally publishes photographs of Mr Castro but news of his health is considered a state secret.

Scottish ministers 'no regrets' over Megrahi decision

The Scottish justice secretary has remained defiant in his decision to release the convicted Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds.

In an emergency session of the Scottish parliament Kenny MacAskill said he had followed due process to arrive at his decision.

'It was my decision, I stand by it, and I live with the consequences,' he told MSPs in Holyrood.

Despite describing the 1988 bombing that killed 270 people as a 'heinous crime', Mr MacAskill said he was left with no choice, and in the name of justice was forced to release convicted bomber Abdelbaset Ali al Megrahi, 57, last week. He added he had to show 'mercy', and thought most in Scotland would agree with his decision.

MSPs were recalled for an emergency session today for only the third time in their parliament's history to discuss the issue.

In questions following a statement made by Mr MacAskill, opposition MSPs said the decision had damaged international relations, and asked why Megrahi was not kept under house arrest in Scotland.

Gordon Brown also came under attack for his failure to comment publicly on the Lockerbie controversy, and for his failure to 'intervene'.

Mr MacAskill did admit he regretted that assurances were not upheld by the Libyan government regarding Megrahi's hero's welcome. Megrahi was released on compassionate grounds because he is suffering terminal cancer, despite serving just eight years of a life sentence for the murder of 270 people on a Pan Am flight in 1988.

There has been outrage from many at the scenes witnessed in Libya when Megrahi returned to what has been dubbed a hero's welcome. Victims' families have expressed anger at his release to return home despite being convicted of the UK's worst terrorist atrocity. Megrahi is suffering from terminal prostate cancer and has been given just months to live.

He returned to Libya on Thursday to crowds waving Scottish flags. Despite criticism from the US in particular, Mr MacAskill has said he was 'duty-bound' to release Megrahi, who has always denied the crime.

A website called boycottscotland.com has been set up, which urges US citizens to boycott the UK and refrain from buying 'British or Scottish products'.

Deadly storm Bill dissipates

The storm formerly known as Hurricane Bill is weakening in the north Atlantic off the coast of Newfoundland.

The US national hurricane centre (NHC) said Bill was losing its 'tropical characteristics' as it swept across Nova Scotia on the east coast of Canada.

Before arriving in Canada, Bill - still bringing winds of up to 110kmph - led to the death of a seven-year-old girl in the US.

She died when she was knocked from a rocky ledge with two others - another young girl and a man believed to have survived - by a powerful wave in Maine's Acadia national park next to the Atlantic.

The NHC warned that Bill would still generate gale-force winds over the north Atlantic until Wednesday.

The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs until the end of November, has been at its most calm in 2009 for more than a decade.

Reality TV star wanted over model's murder found dead

A reality TV contestant whose model wife was murdered has today himself been found dead in Canada.

Ryan Jenkins, 32, was wanted in California on first degree murder charges after the body of his wife, former model Jasmine Fiore, 28, was found naked and dismembered in a suitcase.

Police were called to a motel east of Vancouver yesterday, where it is believed Jenkins took his own life. He disappeared after reporting his wife missing.

Jenkins, a real estate developer, had taken part in the Megan Wants a Millionaire show in the US, as an investment banker who was trying to 'win' a young woman on the show. The series was cancelled after he was suspected of murdering his wife.

Ms Fiore married Jenkins in March in Las Vegas. Her body was found in a suitcase in rubbish bin in Buena Park in Los Angeles on August 15th. Her teeth had been pulled out and her fingers cut off in what is believed to have been attempt to hinder her identification. Prosecutors said investigators used the serial numbers on her breast implants to identify her.

It is believed Jenkins was checked into the motel in which he was found by a young woman. Sergeant Duncan Pound of the royal Canadian mounted police says investigators were alerted after police had responded to a call about a dead person at the Thunderbird Motel in Hope, east of Vancouver. 'Preliminary evidence suggests that he took his own life,' he said.

Jenkins body was found hours after he was reported to be in Canada by police there. His boat was found near the Canadian border.

'We continue to believe that Mr Jenkins was solely responsible' for the murder, said a spokeswoman for the Orange county district attorney's office in California, after his death was announced.

The couple met in Las Vegas in March, marrying a few weeks later. They separated soon afterwards, but had reportedly recently reconciled.

Court records revealed in June Jenkins had been charged in Nevada with a misdemeanour count of 'battery constituting domestic violence' for allegedly hitting his wife in the arm.

He had been due to stand trial in December. In January 2007, he was sentenced to 15 months probation on an unspecified assault charge in his home town, Calgary, reports say.

Truth still out there, with new X-Files film planned

A third X-Files film could be released in 2012, according to actress Gillian Anderson.

The 41-year-old, who spent much of her childhood in north London, confirmed the science fiction series could take a third trip to the big screen, despite the muted reaction for last year's instalment The X-Files: I Want to Believe.

'There isn't any reason not to do it. It was fun, it was hard work,' Anderson told reporters at the Sarajevo Film Festival.

'I feel a certain commitment to that group of people that I worked with and we still enjoy doing it, when we do it.'

Anderson starred as Agent Dana Scully in nine seasons of The X-Files, acting alongside David Duchovny's Fox Mulder for seven series and in both films based on the cult show.

'There is no reason why not to come together and do it again,' she added.

'If they can pull it off, we'll find some reason to make it. There isn't any reason not to do it.'

The first X-Files film, Fight the Future, grossed almost $190 million (£115 million) after its 1998 release, with I Want to Believe earning $68 million (£41 million) last year, still more than double its budget.

West Ham's Davenport 'stabbed by sister's boyfriend'

The boyfriend of West Ham United defender Calum Davenport's sister appeared in court today charged with stabbing the footballer in the legs.

Worrell Whitehurst of Finsley Walk in Derby has been charged with section 18 grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm, driving while disqualified and possession of a bladed article.

As the 25-year-old appeared in the dock in Bedfordshire magistrates court, Mr Whitehurst's pregnant girlfriend Cara Davenport burst into tears.

He has now been remanded in custody.

Davenport, 26, is in a stable condition in intensive care at Bedford South Wing hospital after surgery on his legs. The defender and his mother were taken to hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning after an incident at her home in Bedfordshire.

His mother remains in a stable condition in hospital as well.

Bedfordshire police added that a 19-year-old man also arrested on Saturday had been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Former England under-21 defender Davenport signed for the Hammers in 2007 from Tottenham Hotspur but has since found first-team opportunities hard to come by.

Last season he spent time on loan at Sunderland, having previously had loan spells at Watford, Southampton and Norwich after starting his career at Coventry.

His current club said in a statement: 'The thoughts of everyone at West Ham are with Calum and his family and, due to the ongoing police investigation, no further information will be released at this time.'

Barrchello dedicates win to Brawn team

European grand prix winner Rubens Barrichello has thanked his Brawn GP team for giving him a 'perfect car'.

The Brazilian secured his first win in five years in Valencia, leapfrogging the McLaren pairing who led the way from the start through their KERS button.

Barichello's win comes after he upset the Brackey-based squad by attacking them for losing the German grand prix for him.

The win, his first for Brawn, means he has moved back into second place in the championship standings behind his team-mate Jenson Button after Mark Webber in the Red Bull failed to finish in the points and Sebastien Vettel retired with his second engine failure of the weekend.

It was a popular victory with the crowd and the formula one paddock and Barrichello said: 'It has been fantastic, it has been a weekend that I'll never forget, especially because it has been five years.

'You don't forget how to do it, but it was tough, at the middle of the race they were telling me to push, push, push and although we were pushing like hell there are some things that go through your mind and you know that you cannot make any mistakes.'

The Brazilian dedicated his win to his country, his family and the Brawn team, perhaps in an attempt to make amends for his recent outbursts.

'You want to do it for your country, you want to do it for your family, so there was a lot going on in my mind,' Barrichello said.

'The car has been perfect and I thank the team for that, because it wasn't just me, the car was really brilliant,' he added.

FTSE 100 extends gains to fifth day

The FTSE 100 closed 0.93 per cent higher to 4,896.23 to extend its rally to a fifth day, as stock markets around the world headed higher.

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke's comments on Friday, growing optimism among businesses and even the cricket helped boost investor confidence on the blue-chip index.

Financial stocks performed well as investors moved into riskier territory, while commodities also rose on firmer metals prices.

Royal Bank of Scotland led the way, up 6.75 per cent, followed by Lloyds Banking Group, up by 6.29 per cent and miner Kazakhmys, up by 5.77 per cent.

Defensive stocks were heading lower on the index, as investors moved to riskier bets.

GlaxoSmithKline fell by 1.27 per cent, Unilever was down by 0.83 per cent and Imperial Tobacco fell 0.8 per cent.

Over in the US, markets were climbing going into afternoon trading. The Dow Jones was up by 0.59 per cent, while the S&P 500 rose by 0.64 per cent.

Coyle hails 'dream start' for top flight Clarets

Owen Coyle has described Burnley's early season form, which has seen them beat Manchester United and now Everton in the space of a few days as a 'dream start' to their Premier League campaign.

The Clarets followed up their win over the champions on Wednesday with a battling performance in their 1-0 win over the Toffees at Turf Moor on Sunday afternoon.

The newly promoted side won courtesy of a deflected Wade Elliott strike but had to ride their luck once again as Louis Saha placed a penalty wide of the post for the visitors following a similar miss by Michael Carrick during midweek.

Although early, Burnley are sitting seventh in the table with two wins from two home games.

Coyle commented: 'We certainly never envisioned six points with Manchester United and Everton at home, the two games being this week.

'But we believed if we worked hard and got the quality that we have on show and displayed that, we'd have a chance.'

Everton manager David Moyes, who has suffered a nightmare start to the season with back-to-back domestic defeats and a loss to Rapid Vienna in their Europa Cup qualifier on Thursday, blamed his players for the defeat - claiming that they did not do enough with the possession they had.

'I'd expect to come to Burnley and win, so I'm disappointed,' remarked Moyes.

'We were poor in the opening 20 minutes or so. I thought we improved as the game went on but still not enough to cause them enough problems.

'I didn't think we were in control of the game that much. It's a bad time to come here, right at the start of the season, because they have a great deal of momentum coming up from the Championship.'

Health risks of Britain's Tweeting toilet habits

Texting, Tweeting and talking on the phone are just some of the habits many of us just cannot live without, not even when we are on the toilet.

According to a survey, one in 20 Brits even admit eating and drinking while on the toilet, but many are unaware sitting for too long on the loo can take its toll on your health.

This week marks gut week, which raises awareness of gut disorders and good digestive health. In association with the organisers of the week, Yakult have released their new research on how happy we are as a nation to multitask while on the toilet.

Yakult says 18 per cent of those surveyed have suffered cramps or pins and needles from sitting on the toilet too long, and 65 per cent are unaware sitting on the toilet too long can cause haemorrhoids.

Gut week is supported by England cricket legend Phil Tufnell. Listen here to Phil saying why gut week has his support.

Dr Simon Gabe, consultant gastroenterologist at St Mark's Hospital, Harrow, said: 'Some people do occupy their time on the toilet for all sorts of reasons. Generally this is harmless, but there are a few health risks worth being aware of.

'There are problems which can arise from spending too long on the toilet, such as haemorrhoids, bleeding and worsening problems with emptying the rectum. More importantly, eating on the toilet runs the risk of contaminating the food with bacteria from the toilet. This may cause a bacterial gastroenteritis, which is an infectious diarrhoea and can be very severe.'

Whitmarsh denies pit-stop error cost Hamilton win

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said the problem in Lewis Hamilton’s pit-stop, where the team were not ready with a new set of tyres, did not affect the outcome of the European grand prix for the reigning world champion.

Having locked out the front-row in qualifying, Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen got away well from the grid and led the field into the first braking zone of the lap at turn two.

At the first round of stops, Heikki was leapfrogged by Rubens Barrichello in the Brawn for second place and eventually fell down to fourth behind his fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen.

Hamilton maintained a healthy lead over the Brawn GP driver, matching Barrichello’s lap times and setting numerous fastest laps unti his second stop, when he was forced to wait for a total of seventeen seconds before being released by his team, as the McLaren pit-crew weren’t ready with a new set of tyres.

Barrichello pitted soon after Hamilton, putting in some quick in-laps before his stop and eventually re-emerging from his stop with a six second advantage over the McLaren driver.

The Brazilian went on to win the race and Hamilton was unable to do anything about the Brazilian’s pace, settling for second place.

In a post-race interview, Whitmarsh denied that the mistake in the pit-stop cost Hamilton the race victory and blamed a lack of pace for the result.

He said: 'Most of the race, Rubens was heavier than us and we weren’t able to open the gaps that were necessary and coming into the second stop it was routine because it was the strategy that Lewis would stop on lap 37 and Heikki on lap 38.

'As we got close to that stop, it became clear that we might be able to make lap 38 with Lewis and that might help him and in truth, it was the right thing to try and push, but it was really battling to try and give every opportunity in case Rubens had difficulty in traffic.

'So we were scheduled, we got the fuel-rig out, we had told Lewis we were on lap 37, we were listening to the fuel-flow man about whether we could actually make that extra lap, because we don’t want to run out of fuel, that’s always a pretty embarrassing thing to do.

'At the very last minute, we got a message saying that he could make the extra lap.

'We did tell Lewis to stay out, having told him to come in previously, but that was a second or two too late because he was committed to coming in.

'If he hadn't of come in we were about to pull Heikki in, then we had the crew out and we would have quickly called Heikki’s tyres.

'All that happened quite quickly, it meant the tyres weren’t ready when the car came in and we lost two, maximum three, seconds.

'In the meantime Rubens was very quick. He actually stopped early to cover us so he probably had another four laps of fuel and I think when he came out he was about six seconds ahead of us.

'It was disappointing, it wasn’t right and we will have a look at how we don’t do that again, but it didn’t affect the outcome of this race, we were not quick enough to win, we didn’t have the race pace to do it.'

Whitmarsh also praised Barrichello’s effort during the European grand prix in Valencia.

'I think Rubens drove an absolutely solid race and he just kept the pressure on us and occasionally, Lewis was able to open up a little bit, but during that time, frankly Rubens was a little bit heavier and we couldn’t open up a big enough gap,' Whitmarsh said.

Lohan 'upset' after second break-in at Hollywood home

Police are investigating the second burglary at Lindsay Lohan's Los Angeles home in three months, it has been confirmed.

The Mean Girls star's residence was burgled on Sunday morning while she and her younger sister Ali were away from the house.

A statement from the Los Angeles police department confirmed officers were investigating a possible break-in at the property but said no arrests had yet been made.

Officers had been called to the 23-year-old actress' home in May this year after a security surveillance video appeared to show an attempted robbery.

The latest break-in was reported on celebrity gossip site TMZ and later confirmed by Lohan's mother and manager Dina, who said the starlet discovered the robbery after returning home from a birthday party.

'The safe was ripped out of the wall, and the door was off the hinges and door handles removed,' Dina Lohan told People.com.

'Bags, shoes and jewellery were taken too. Thank God she wasn't home.'

Ms Lohan said her daughter was 'okay, but upset' and added the Freaky Friday actress is planning to move to a 'safer place'.

Strauss in shock at Ashes victory

Glory-soaked England captain Andrew Strauss struggled to find the words to express his joy at regaining the Ashes.

Strauss, many people's shout for man of the series, watched on as his attack skittled Australia for 348 on day four of the fifth Test at the Oval, giving his side a 197-run win and a 2-1 series victory.

'It's hard to know what to say right now,' he said.

'We had to work so hard for it and it's a pretty emotional moment to be honest.

'It's a massive moment for us and we just want to enjoy it.

'For a while there it looked like it was going to be another close-run thing, but credit to the guys they stuck there.'

Strauss, 32, reserved special praise for 'unbelievable' Andrew Flintoff, who claimed the key run-out of Aussie captain Ricky Ponting, which opened the floodgates for England.

'It was all part of the master-plan,' Strauss joked of the legendary all-rounder, who has now played his last-ever Test match.

Flintoff: It's been emotional

Andrew Flintoff could barely hide his emotion at winning the Ashes in his final ever Test match.

'I nearly had a tear when I saw my mum up there,' he admitted. 'I'm sure she had a few as well. It's a real special moment.'

England won the final game at the Brit Oval by 197 runs when Graeme Swann had Mike Hussey caught at short leg and the celebrations began. It was a special moment for Flintoff, who had already announced he would retire at the series.

'It's like a dream,' he continued breathlessly. 'I don't know what to do. It's surreal. It's going to take some time to sink in. What a way to go.

'If someone had told me when I started and I was 21 stone that I'd be in two Ashes-winning sides I'd have snapped their hand off.

'I'm sure I'm going to celebrate tonight, but for now I'm trying to take it all in. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.'

Flintoff himself did little with bat and ball in the match, but contributed an incredible run out to turn the match by dismissing Australian captain Ricky Ponting.

'There's been a few question marks over my fielding,' laughed the man known as Freddie, 'so I put them to bed. But what a match for Stuart Broad. They seem to have found someone far better than me. The future's in good hands.'

The players' celebrations upon winning the Ashes in 2005 have gone down in folklore. 'You're p*ssed and you know you are,' sang fans as a bleary-eyed Flintoff waved to fans from a double-decker bus. Graeme Swann is aware of the danger, confessing, 'I'm going to avoid Flintoff and Harmy [Steve Harmison] because I've seen what they do to people.'

But Flintoff is planning a quieter night.

'I'm going to celebrate, but maybe not in the same way as 2005. I'll take the missus out for dinner and spend tomorrow with my family.'

Truly a character, Flintoff will be missed on the Test arena.

Ashes heroes staying grounded despite plaudits

England's victorious Ashes team may have drawn congratulations from the Queen and the prime minister; but the players are already focusing on the next challenge.

In a memorable series England regained the Ashes they lost in 2006/07 with a 197-run win over the Australia at the Oval last night, sealing a 2-1 series victory.

Last time England won the Ashes in 2005 it sparked nationwide celebrations as an 18-year wait to win the famous urn was ended.

This time round there will be no repeat of the open-top bus parade or the extravagant drinking sessions that saw Andrew Flintoff – who has now retired from Test cricket - turn up to a Downing St reception clearly half-cut.

Last night the England team celebrated for several hours at the Oval before continuing the party at their central London hotel, while 10,000 people kept up the jubilant scenes in front of big screens erected in Regent's Park.

But the performances of captain Andrew Strauss, stand-in batsman Jonathan Trott, outgoing 2005 hero Flintoff and his heir apparent Stuart Broad has seen the team congratulated from all quarters.

'The Queen congratulates the England team on their victory in the Ashes, and extends her good wishes to both teams on their excellent performances over the course of the series,' a Buckingham Palace statement said.

A Downing St spokesperson said Gordon Brown would be writing to the team to express his congratulations, while the prime minister's wife Sarah wrote on Twitter that she 'wishes Freddie Flintoff a successful knee op - one of the heroes of England's conquest to regain the Ashes today'.

And Conservative party leader David Cameron added: 'Congratulations to Andrew Strauss and all the England team on their Ashes triumph,' Mr Cameron said.

'It has been an incredible series and a fitting end to Andrew Flintoff's test career. The team and backroom staff should know just how proud the entire country is of their inspirational performance.'

Strauss himself, however, is already looking at the next challenge, in the short-term playing commitments in Belfast and in the long-term becoming the best Test team in the world.

England's next opponents in the Test arena are South Africa, who replaced Australia as the best team in the world after the latter's series loss last night.

'We are not the number one side in the world, and we are far from it at the moment - we are honest enough to know that,' Strauss, who was part of Michael Vaughan's team that won the Ashes in 2005, said.

'To become the number one side in the world you have to be winning consistently home and away. Our next challenge is a massive one, away in South Africa, probably as hard a tour as you can go on.

'But we can take confidence from this and the long-term goal is to be the number one side in the world. It is going to take a lot of graft to get there.'