Exeter Community Information Portal

Taxpayer lost £2bn on Rock rescue

The taxpayer could lose about £2bn once the assets of collapsed bank Northern Rock are wound down, the National Audit Office estimates.

Moody's downgrades Spanish banks

Ratings agency Moody's cuts the credit ratings of 16 Spanish banks, as shares in struggling lender Bankia fell another 14%.

French government takes pay cut

France's new government holds its first cabinet meeting, announcing a 30% pay cut for President Hollande and his ministers.

Facebook shares valued at $100bn

Facebook prices its shares at $38 each ahead of one of the most eagerly anticipated share flotations in recent stock market history.

Disco singer Donna Summer dies

US singer Donna Summer, famous for disco hits including I Feel Love and Love To Love You Baby, dies at the age of 63.

Plaque to dead children stolen

Thieves steal a metal plaque erected in memory of two young boys killed by IRA bombs in the Cheshire town of Warrington.

Search for missing fishing boat

A major search has been under way to find a fishing boat missing with a crew of three off the Dorset coast.

Syria opposition head 'to resign'

The head of Syria's main opposition umbrella body, the Syrian National Council, says he will resign amid growing criticism and rifts within the group.

Man charged with making explosive

A man is charged with making an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose after police found items in a garage in Cheltenham.

Private police roles put on hold

Plans to use private firms in police roles in Surrey are put on hold, as West Midlands Police says it will ask the police authority for "a revision to the process".

Zimmerman found with bloody nose

A Florida neighbourhood watch volunteer who shot an unarmed black teenager had a bloody nose and a cut on his head, according to police reports.

Niger malnutrition crisis growing

Months of warnings have failed to stop a major malnutrition crisis in Niger, affecting more than six million people, Save the Children says.

Adele wins songwriter of the year

Adele picks up two prizes at the prestigious Ivor Novello songwriting awards - but misses out on two more trophies.

Author Lovering wins romance gong

Please Don't Stop The Music scoops the annual Romantic Novel of the Year award

Martinez on Liverpool shortlist

Roberto Martinez is given permission to speak to Liverpool and is one of several candidates shortlisted to succeed Kenny Dalglish.

Stoner announces shock retirement

MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner is to retire at the end of the season, saying he no longer "has the passion" for the sport.

Make drug tests compulsory - Khan

British fighter Amir Khan says compulsory drug testing must be introduced in boxing in an attempt to clean up the sport.

Broad's six give England control

Stuart Broad takes six wickets as England seize the upper hand against West Indies on day one of the first Test at Lord's.

No decision on Van Persie future

Striker Robin van Persie joins up with the Dutch squad having yet to make a final decision on his Arsenal future.

US puts tariffs on Chinese panels

The US says it will impose import tariffs of about 30% on Chinese solar companies, saying China is flooding it with subsidised products.

HMRC defends child benefit plan

Asking taxpayers and child benefit recipients to reveal information to their partners is legal, HM Revenue & Customs says, despite claims it breaks confidentiality rules.

Cameron defends his euro warning

David Cameron says it was "more dangerous to stay silent than to speak out" - and insists there will be no retreat on deficit reduction.

Lobbying 'to be reformed by 2015'

The government is "determined" to introduce a register of lobbyists before 2015, constitutional reform minister Mark Harper tells a Commons committee.

Statins 'benefit healthy people'

Thousands of heart attacks and strokes could be prevented if the cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins, were more widely prescribed, research suggests.

Oldest living kidney donor at 83

An 83-year-old man becomes the oldest person in the UK to donate a kidney while still alive, the NHS Blood and Transplant service says.

Warning over A-level reform plans

An independent schools leader says A-levels could become university entrance exams if academics are given too much control.

Gove loses court ruling over cuts

Education Secretary Michael Gove loses a High Court battle with Essex County Council over government cuts to nursery funding.

Met Police to extract phone data

Mobile phone data of suspects in police custody is to be extracted and retained, regardless of whether charges are brought, the BBC has learned.

Government to miss cookie cut-off

Most government websites will miss the UK's deadline for complying with EU regulations over cookies, the Cabinet Office tells the BBC.

'Superflares' from stars counted

Nasa's Kepler space telescope provides new insight on the colossal explosions that can occur in the atmospheres of some stars.

UK retains strict animal test law

The UK says it will retain stricter animal testing standards than required by a new European Union Directive.

Wiggles founder members bow out

Three of the four original members of Australian children's entertainers The Wiggles are to leave the group, paving the way for the group's first female performer.

Broadway run for Priscilla ends

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is coming to an end on Broadway after months of weak ticket sales.

The baby time-lapse trend

Baby time-lapses are becoming increasingly common. So are they the ultimate way of documenting a child's development?

Viewpoint: Is it time to get rid of traffic lights?

We rely on traffic lights to tell us when to go. And when to stop. We should replace that with common sense, argues traffic campaigner Martin Cassini.

Olympic flame handed over to UK

The Olympic flame is officially handed over to organisers of the London 2012 Games at a ceremony in Athens.

Court quashes murder conviction

A 24-year-old London man who has served more than seven years in jail for the murder of a trainee chef has his conviction quashed.

Trauma care 'needs major rethink'

Scotland is falling behind other parts of the world in its provision of care for victims of major trauma, according to a new report.

Man admits rape and sex assault

A man admits raping one woman and seriously sexually assaulting another in Glasgow city centre on a Christmas night out.

Hain case end 'free speech win'

Peter Hain says the dropping of contempt of court proceedings against him for criticising a judge are a "victory for free speech".

Doctor revelation in McKeown case

Rebecca McKeown's manslaughter trial is told the doctor who examined the disabled teenager may have withheld details of a medical examination to protect her professional reputation.

Case against Hain not proceeding

Controversial comments in Labour MP Peter Hain's autobiography were never intended to undermine the administration of justice in Northern Ireland, the High Court in Belfast hears.

Vauxhall boost for Welsh workers

A deal to secure the future of Ellesmere Port's Vauxhall car plant will give a welcome boost to the estimated 400 workers from north-east Wales.

African troops in Guinea-Bissau

The first wave of a West African peacekeeping force lands in Guinea-Bissau to try to bring stability after last month's military coup.

SA 'fails pupils on textbooks'

The South African government's failure to provide textbooks to all state school pupils violates the constitution, the high court rules.

US relaxes some Burma sanctions

The US says it has relaxed some sanctions on investments in Burma and named an ambassador to the country following political reforms.

Passport boost for activist Chen

Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng says he and his family have completed passport applications and officials say they should be ready in 15 days.

Greece names caretaker cabinet

A cabinet of professors and diplomats is sworn in in Greece to steer the debt-ridden eurozone state into repeat elections on 17 June

Mladic trial hit by legal hitch

The war crimes trial of Bosnian Serb ex-army chief Ratko Mladic is postponed on its second day because prosecutors failed to disclose some evidence to the defence.

Inmates take over Honduras jail

Officials say prisoners have taken control of a jail in the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula where at least one person died in a fight between inmates on Wednesday.

Rio hotels agree summit price cut

The Brazilian government reaches a deal with Rio de Janeiro hotel owners to cut spiralling room prices ahead of a major UN summit in the city.

US strike plan on Iran 'ready'

The US has plans in place to attack Iran if other measures fail to stop it developing nuclear weapons, Washington's envoy to Israel says.

Turkey jets 'pursue Israel plane'

Turkey says it scrambled two military jets to chase away an Israeli plane which allegedly violated the airspace of Turkish-held northern Cyprus.

White births now minority in US

Children from racial and ethnic minorities now account for more than half the births in the US, estimates from the latest census data say.

Kennedy wife 'died by hanging'

Mary Kennedy - the estranged wife of Robert F Kennedy Jr, nephew of John F Kennedy - died of asphyxiation due to hanging, authorities say.

In pictures: Olympic flame tours Greece

Olympic flame tours Greece

Your pictures: Sailing

Readers' photos on the theme sailing

Day in pictures: 17 May 2012

24 hours of news photos: 17 May 2012

Gold buttons for Queen's banner

Half a million gold buttons decorate Royal Barge

In Pictures: Carlos Fuentes' wake

Mexicans pay their last respects to Carlos Fuentes

In pictures: Royal visit to Lancashire

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visit Lancashire

Day in pictures: 16 May 2012

24 hours of news photos: 16 May 2012

Day in pictures: 15 May 2012

24 hours of news photos: 15 May 2012

VIDEO: House of Commons

MPs have put questions to Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey and his ministerial team.

VIDEO: US man's close brush with alligator

A scientist in North Carolina had a lucky escape when he was attacked by an alligator.

VIDEO: When live TV goes wrong - it's Odd Box

The perils of being a reporter on live TV, the cafe just for cats and the $1,500 hot dog.

VIDEO: Olympic torch handed over to UK

David Beckham and the mayor of London, Boris Johnson were part of an official delegation led by Princess Anne that travelled to Greece to collect the torch.

VIDEO: Stolen scrap metal haul recovered

One of the biggest ever hauls of stolen scrap metal has been recovered by police in London.

VIDEO: China activist's family claim torture

Relatives of the blind Chinese activist, Chen Guangcheng, have given detailed accounts of the torture and retribution they have allegedly suffered at the hands of Chinese authorities.

VIDEO: UK's oldest living kidney donor

An 83-year-old man has become the oldest person in the UK to donate a kidney while still being alive, the NHS Blood and Transplant service has said.

VIDEO: Preparing Japan's deadly fish dish

Chef Kunio Miura shows Roland Buerk how to prepare the potentially deadly Japanese dish blowfish.

VIDEO: A look at 'wind turbines' of the deep

The latest device to harness the power of the tides is being tested in the stormy waters off Orkney in the far north of Scotland.

Swimming: Why I took the plunge

Why swimming can be a life-shaping - and a life-saving - skill

What does 're-moding' actually mean?

What does the word 're-mode' actually mean?

Armitstead & Cooke battle for superiority

The UK's contenders for Olympic road cycling gold

How to grow a four-metre moustache

The man with the world's longest moustache gives his grooming tips

Q&A: The debate over statins

Could the proposal to protect all over-50s from heart attacks work?

Royal events: Britain and the box

Watching the big events - from the Coronation to the Jubilee

Papers discuss eurozone warnings

Papers discuss eurozone warnings

Martinez on Liverpool shortlist

Roberto Martinez is given permission to speak to Liverpool and is one of several candidates shortlisted to succeed Kenny Dalglish.

Stoner announces shock retirement

Make drug tests compulsory - Khan

British fighter Amir Khan wants attempts to clean up boxing

Broad's six give England control

No decision on Van Persie future

Striker Robin van Persie joins up with the Dutch squad having yet to make a final decision on his Arsenal future.

Couch & Barrow win historic gold

Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow end GB's 74-year wait for a female European Diving Championships title by winning gold in Eindhoven.

Olympic flame handed over to UK

The Olympic flame is officially handed over to organisers of the London 2012 Games at a ceremony in Athens.

Murray beaten by Gasquet in Rome

Andy Murray loses in three sets to Richard Gasquet in Rome.

Snedeker wins with borrowed clubs

Rodriguez retains pink from Casar

Joaquim Rodriguez retains the pink jersey in the Giro d'Italia despite Sandy Casar's best efforts in a 12th stage won by Dane Lars Bak.

Ainslie closes in on Finn record

Three-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie is on the verge of a record-breaking sixth Finn world title in Cornwall.

Owen wants to extend his career

Striker wants to stay in Premier League after Man Utd release.

2012 will be hard - Princess Anne

Former Olympian Princess Anne admits she would have hated to compete amid the media focus that will accompany London 2012.

British pair are cleared for 2012

Former drugs cheats Dwain Chambers and David Millar are formally cleared to take part in the London 2012 Olympics.

Maldonado aiming for Monaco win

Williams's Pastor Maldonado sees no reason why he can't take his race-winning form into next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

English exiles target Euro glory

Iain Balshaw aims to deny fellow England World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson a European trophy as Biarritz tackle Toulon in the Amlin Challenge Cup final.

Wilshere to undergo knee surgery

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is to undergo minor knee surgery in Sweden over the next few days.

Allardyce awaits 'biggest' game

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce says the Championship play-off final is bigger than the Uefa Champions League final.

Torquay 1-2 Cheltenham (1-4 agg)

Cheltenham reach the League Two play-off final against Crewe after beating Torquay 2-1 at Plainmoor for a 4-1 aggregate victory.

Bonfire enhances Derby prospects

Andrew Balding-trained colt Bonfire wins the Dante Stakes at York on his seasonal debut, enhancing his prospects for the Derby.

Rangers fans could call boycott

Angry Rangers fans could ask the Glasgow club to boycott the Scottish Cup and Scotland squads next season.

In pictures: Olympic flame handover

Pictures from Greece as the Olympic flame is passed to London at a ceremony attended by David Beckham, Boris Johnson and Princess Anne.

Kenny Dalglish photo gallery

All the best pictures from Kenny Dalglish's time as Liverpool manager.

VIDEO: Gary Lineker's guide to the digital Olympics

Gary Lineker explains how to use the new-look BBC Sport internet video player specifically designed for the London 2012 Olympics.

VIDEO: Watch Casey Stoner win 2011 MotoGP

Watch Casey Stoner winning the 2011 MotoGP championship.

VIDEO: Olympic flame handed to UK in Athens

The Olympic flame has been handed over to organisers of the London Games at a ceremony beneath a rainbow in Athens.

VIDEO: Stoner's lost passion for MotoGP

Current MotoGP champion Casey Stoner announces he will be retiring at the end of this season.

VIDEO: O'Driscoll calls for Leinster discipline

Brian O'Driscoll says Leinster must not hand penalty chances to Ulster kicker Ruan Pienaar in Saturday's Heineken Cup final.

VIDEO: Princess on pressure of Olympics

The Princess Royal says she has sympathy for athletes who are having to prepare for London 2012 under the media spotlight.

VIDEO: Strauss wary of Windies pace attack

England captain Andrew Strauss admits the West Indies pace attack will challenge his side during the forthcoming series.

VIDEO: Daley Thompson wins LA gold in 1984

Britain's Daley Thompson wins decathlon gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

VIDEO: Jet pack man gets LA off to a flyer

The opening ceremony for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984 makes a memorable start as a man with a jet pack flies into the stadium to help light the flame.

VIDEO: Archer lights up Barcelona in 1992

Paralympic archer Antonio Rebollo shoots an arrow to light up the Olympic flame for the Barcelona Games in 1992.

VIDEO: Muhammad Ali lights Atlanta flame

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali lights the flame at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

AUDIO: John Carlos: Why I raised my fist

At the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968, two black athletes made a significant political statement by bowing their heads and raising their fists on the podium in a symbol of black power. One of the men, John Carlos, met the BBC's sports correspondent Tim Franks.

VIDEO: West Indies legends - Michael Holding

Tests 60, Wkts 249

VIDEO: West Indies legends - Sir Garfield Sobers

Tests 93, Runs 8032, Avg 57.78, Wkts 235

VIDEO: West Indies legends - Brian Lara

Tests 131, Runs 11953, Avg 52.88

VIDEO: West Indies legends - Sir Viv Richards

Tests 121, Runs 8540, Avg 50.23

VIDEO: Has Martinez earned the right?

Robbie Savage answers the best of your tweets in Savage Says, including who should replace Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool.

VIDEO: Chelsea's Champions League journey

Pundits Alan Hansen, Mark Layperson, Pat Nevin, Robbie Savage, Chris Waddle and Jan Molby look at Chelsea's Champions League journey and assess their chances of beating Bayen Munich at their home ground in the final.

VIDEO: Michael Owen's 1998 wonder goal

Michael Owen announces himself on the world stage at the age of 18 with a wonder goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup in France.

VIDEO: Late drama as Wembley beckons Crewe

Crewe book their place in the League Two play-off final after a 2-2 draw with Southend sees them through 3-2 on aggregate to the Wembley final.

VIDEO: 'Lots of interest in Liverpool job'

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre says the club had "plenty of contact" for the vacant managerial position following Kenny Dalglish's departure on Wednesday.

VIDEO: Liverpool need stability - Aldridge

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge says the Anfield club need to choose a long term option to replace Kenny Dalglish, who left his job as manager on Wednesday.

VIDEO: England forwards concern Shearer

Former England captain Alan Shearer says the inclusion of Liverpool striker Andy Carroll and Tottenham forward Jermain Defoe in England's Euro 2012 squad is a surprise but believes their selection signals a lack of options for manager Roy Hodgson.

VIDEO: Hodgson selects Terry on form

England manager Roy Hodgson says that he has selected Chelsea defender John Terry for Euro 2012 because of his recent good form.

Martinez on management

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez explains the pressures of managing in the Premier League in a BBC Sport interview before Liverpool's approach

The mindgames of a European Cup final

BBC's Mark Lawrenson and Alan Hansen on how singing helped them conquer Europe, ahead of Chelsea going to Bayern Munich

Jeremy Guscott Q&A

Former England centre on Stuart Lancaster's tour squad, the Heineken Cup and Aviva Premiership finals

Topping England's priorities

Five years after making his Test debut, BBC Sport assesses the importance of England's wicketkeeper to the national side

Dalglish sacking unfair - Hansen

Kenny Dalglish did not get the chance he deserved at Liverpool, says former Anfield team-mate and close friend Alan Hansen

Ulster the perfect fit for Pienaar

Ulster scrum-half Ruan Pienaar is happy with life and rugby as the Springbok targets victory over Leinster in the Heineken Cup final.

How Chelsea can win Champions League final

'Keep Mario Gomez quiet and the Blues will have a good chance as Bayern Munich have little by way of alternatives'

Foreman's Olympic salvation

"I was a mugger and a thief on the street. The police were chasing me down. But I said to myself: 'I'm going to do something in my life'."

Armitstead & Cooke battle for superiority

Nicole Cooke and Lizzie Armitstead bring BBC Sport inside their fight - against each other - for Olympic road cycling gold.

Time to end medal wait - Elliott

Peter Elliott challenges Great Britain's male middle-distance runners to end the 24-year wait for a global championship medal at London 2012.

BBC extends Great Run coverage

BBC Sport extends its current deal for live broadcasting rights covering key events in the Bupa Great Run series until 2018.

Newcastle win to complete sweep

Newcastle Eagles complete a clean sweep of all four BBL titles by beating Leicester Riders 71-62 in the Play-Offs final

Price dreaming of Lonsdale Belt

David Price says beating Sam Sexton for the vacant British heavyweight crown on Saturday would be "the start of something big".

Broad is happy with performance

Stuart Broad is happy with England's position after day one of the first Test at Lord's as West Indies close on 243-9.

Cavendish takes Giro points lead

Roberto Ferrari wins the 11th stage of the Giro d'Italia as Britain's Mark Cavendish takes the lead in the points race.

Quartet battle for Premier League

Phil Taylor is the strong favourite to claim a sixth Premier League title at the play-offs in London on Thursday.

Wheelchair rugby team announced

The British Paralympic Association names six Games debutants, including one woman, in its 11-strong ParalympicGB wheelchair rugby team.

McLeish responds to Villa sacking

Sacked Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish offers a response to his departure as owner Randy Lerner starts seeking his replacement.

Webber column: Williams win 'unreal'

Red Bull's Aussie charger on his former boss Frank Williams's birthday win in Barcelona, and the "incredible" Premier League season.

US golf fans 'less knowledgeable'

Colin Montgomerie says golf fans in the United States are "not as knowledgeable" as their British counterparts.

Hannah Whelan lifts double bronze

Hannah Whelan wins two bronze medals at the 2012 European Championships, as Romania dominate the tournament.

VIDEO: Player's guide to 2012 hockey arena

Great Britain's Richard Alexander takes you on a tour of the London 2012 Olympic hockey arena.

Frankel ready for Lockinge Stakes

Frankel is poised to make his season debut in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, having been declared ready after an injury concern.

Seeley and Farquhar earn NW wins

Alastair Seeley and Ryan Farquhar clinch popular home wins as Thursday night racing takes place at the North West 200.

No pressure to pick Beckham - Coe

London 2012 chairman dismisses suggestions that Team GB football coach Stuart Pearce is being asked to pick David Beckham.

Dates set for Challenge Cup semis

Wigan Warriors will meet Leeds Rhinos in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup - a repeat of last year's final at Wembley.

Pressure on for Oz - Priestland

Fly-half Rhys Priestland says there is "added pressure" on Wales to take a southern hemisphere scalp by beating Australia.

Snooker needs O'Sullivan - Hendry

Stephen Hendry warns snooker chief Barry Hearn that the sport without world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan would be far less attractive.

Norwegian swimming champion dies

Norway's world swimming champion Alexander Dale Oen dies suddenly in the US, aged 26, the country's swimming federation says.

Federer and Nadal through in Rome

Roger Federer beats Carlos Berlocq to reach the third round of the Italian Open, where he is joined by Rafael Nadal.

GB Bobsleigh recruits new coach

British Bobsleigh appoints former Swiss national coach Dominik Scherrer for 2014 Winter Olympic campaign.

Mallinder signs new Saints deal

Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder signs a new contract to extend his stay at Franklin's Gardens until 2015.

Green positive on Hampden talks

Charles Green says his meeting with Scotland's football authorities over Rangers' future was "productive".

Liverpool too 'early' for Rodgers

World Cup winner Marcel Desailly says Brendan Rodgers should stay with Swansea City rather than be tempted to join Liverpool.

'Jealous' Trimble wants cup glory

Andrew Trimble wants Ulster's "third-choice" Irish province status to end with victory over Leinster in the Heineken Cup final.

Formula 1 gossip column

A selection of gossip and stories from around F1