Extra £31 million for flood-hit districts

Local authorities will receive a further £31 million to continue to rebuild communities damaged during last summer’s flooding.

John Healey, the Floods Recovery Minister, said during a visit to Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, that 62 local authorities would receive an allocation from the Government’s restoration fund. It included £7.5 million for Hull, £4.1 million to authorities in Gloucestershire, £7 million to authorities in South Yorkshire and £4 million to the East Riding. The Government has already provided more than £100 million so far. The number of families yet to return home has fallen 25 per cent in the past month and the number living in caravans has halved.

Navy boat capsizes

Two Royal Navy sailors and three fisheries inspectors were rescued after their inflatable boat capsized. They were about to board a trawler when they were hit by a swell near Durlston Head, Dorset. One needed treatment for a head injury.

Double-murder arrest

Detectives investigating the murder of two French students in South London have arrested a sixth person. The 28-year-old man was held on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice. He was released on bail until August 25.

Tamil man wins case

A Tamil man denied asylum in Britain cannot be sent back to Sri Lanka because he would be at risk of torture, the European Court of Human Rights ruled. The ruling could affect hundreds of other Tamils trying to avoid expulsion from Britain. (Reuters)

Rocker arrest warrant

Magistrates at Yeovil issued a warrant for the arrest of Pete Doherty, the Babyshambles singer, after he failed to attend court for the second time. Doherty was expected to enter a plea over alleged damage to a press photographer’s camera.

£800,000 awarded to Madeleine three

Robert Murat and two Algarve associates have accepted at least £800,000 in libel damages over claims connecting them to the abduction of Madeleine McCann. The allegations in nearly 100 articles were entirely untrue and caused immense distress and damage, Mr Justice Eady was told at the High Court.

Mr Murat, his friend Michaela Walczuch and Sergey Malinka had each sued Associated Newspapers, Express Newspapers, MGN and News Group Newspapers.

School admissions

Complaints over school admissions have risen by 14 per cent in the past year, the Local Government Ombudsman has reported. In 2007-08 there were 942 complaints, up from 827. Parents are increasingly likely to challenge schools if their children are refused a place, and some schools have been found to have contravened admissions guidelines.

Lottery numbers

Four people won a share of Wednesday’s £2 million lottery jackpot. The winning numbers were 3, 12, 17, 18, 22, 42, bonus 19. The winning Thunderball numbers were 6, 11, 25, 31, 33, and the Thunderball itself was 2. The winning numbers in the Dream Number draw were 9, 1, 0, 6, 7, 4 and 5. Nobody won the £500,000 prize for matching all seven numbers.

Lottery numbers

Four people won a share of Wednesday’s £2 million lottery jackpot. The winning numbers were 3, 12, 17, 18, 22, 42, bonus 19. The winning Thunderball numbers were 6, 11, 25, 31, 33, and the Thunderball itself was 2. The winning numbers in the Dream Number draw were 9, 1, 0, 6, 7, 4 and 5. Nobody won the £500,000 prize for matching all seven numbers.

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