Sunderland boss Steve Bruce calls for an end to the "ludicrous" Christmas fixture list after seeing three players suffer muscle injuries on Tuesday.

The deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Simon Hughes, is set to be appointed as a so-called "special advocate" for access to education.

Thousands of homes and businesses in Northern Ireland are still without water as leaks caused by the thaw put pressure on the system.

England retain the Ashes after beating Australia by an innings and 157 runs in the fourth Test in Melbourne.

Nigerian faith leaders accuse politicians of using religion to fuel sectarian violence in Jos, where 80 people have died in recent unrest.

People could donate to charity every time they use bank cards in shops or visit a cash machine, the government suggests.

Campaigners for a full inquest into the death of government weapons inspector David Kelly say they have presented an "unanswerable" case.

West African leaders end their Ivory Coast mission with incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo refusing to cede power to his election rival, Allasane Ouattara.