Stabbings fell in areas targeted by a police crackdown on knife crime, Home Office figures revealed today.

Households today learned of proposed above-inflation water bill hikes after firms submitted their draft business plans to regulator Ofwat.

A fear that sea levels will rise far faster than predicted this century has led to a revision of the plan to protect London from a devastating flood caused by the sort of storm surge in the North Sea that resulted in the closure of the Thames Barrier yesterday.

Peacekeeping troops were struggling to stave off civil war in East Timor yesterday, where the death toll climbed to 23 after soldiers gunned down unarmed police in the capital and a mob torched a house filled with children.

If Robbie Peers had a choice he would prefer not to be taking his under-performing London Towers to Thames Valley Tigers and Plymouth Raiders as he tries to coax his players back on track in the BBL Championship after two damaging defeats last weekend.

Plymouth Raiders anticipate a sell-out crowd for their BBL Trophy group game at The Pavilions tonight when two former crowd favourites play for visitors Thames Valley. And the home fans expect a win, with Tigers' coach Paul James showing little interest in the game.

Whether they will venture south of the Thames in London after dark is unclear, but the makers of a British designed "Jetpod" taxi, which they hope to introduce to British cities within five years, insist it will take you to your destination by the shortest route, at 350mph.

Next year is the bicentenary of Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar. There will be lots of celebrations, lots of programmes, lots of books, lots of biscuit tins with Nelson's face on, and lots and lots of big dinners.