Stones Reunite With Wyman And Taylor For Gigs

The Rolling Stones have announced the return of former members Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor for their upcoming '50 and Counting' shows.

The band played their first gig in 1962 at The Marquee Club in Oxford St, London, and it will be the first time in more than 20 years that they have all played together.

Bill Wyman, now 76, played bass with the band from 1962 until retiring in 1993. Rumours circulated earlier this year that he was once again rehearsing with his former bandmates.

Mick Taylor was a member from 1969 to 1974 and replaced founder member Brian Jones, who died tragically just a month after being asked to leave the band.

Taylor was the guitarist on what is widely considered to be The Rolling Stones' best album, Exile on Main St.

Full details just released about the four-date shows reveal there will be no support acts.

The gigs begin on November 25 and promise to celebrate half a century of the group with a full two-hour set of their hits, as well as a few surprises.

A further date in London is scheduled for November 29 before the band move to Newark, New Jersey, in December for the remaining two dates.

There has been controversy over ticket prices, beginning at more than £100 and reaching £1000 for premium access.

A spokesman for promoter Virgin Live said the gigs were a "one-off celebration of their 50th anniversary and not part of an extended global tour where substantial production costs can be spread over a lengthy period of shows".

News of the celebratory shows accompanies the release of the band's new video, Doom And Gloom, which sees the band team up with Noomi Rapace, star of Prometheus and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo films.

The single is one of two new tracks from the band's 80-track compilation album Grrr, released on November 12.

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Teenage Girl's Attacker Caught On CCTV

Video of a 16-year-old girl being knocked unconscious in an unprovoked street attack has been released by police.

CCTV footage shows the assailant approach the victim from behind before punching her so hard she falls over, hitting the pavement face-first.

Police are appealing for information after the teenager was followed from her home by her attacker, who struck without warning outside the Black Lion pub in Plaistow High Street, east London.

Police say the attacker was "a black man of muscular build"

Scotland Yard described the suspect as black and muscular, wearing a black baseball jacket and jeans, with a shaven head and aged between 25 and 30.

A Metropolitan police spokesperson said: "At about 12.30pm on November 13, a male suspect followed a 16-year-old girl from her home address for approximately 500 metres.

"When he was near the Black Lion public house, he ran up behind her and threw a punch to her head.

"This was an unprovoked attack. The victim fell to ground and was unconscious."

After the assault, the suspect turned around and jogged back towards Green Gate Street.

The girl was taken to hospital and released with cuts and bruises later that day.

:: Anyone with information should contact Newham Violent Crime Unit on 020 8217 5890 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Sam Mendes 'Working On A Second Bond Movie'

Sam Mendes could make another Bond movie following the huge success of his 007 debut Skyfall.

The Oscar-winning American Beauty director has been working on a plot for a follow-up, according to the regular screenwriters of the series.

Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who have worked on five James Bond films, also revealed they are quitting the franchise.

Speaking during an appearance at the fourth Doha Tribeca Film Festival, Wade said: "We're very happy to have done five Bonds, I think we've gotten it to a good place.

"I know that John Logan (screenwriter) and Sam Mendes have come up with a plot for another one, which takes the pressure off because these films take up a lot of time."

Oscar winner Sam Mendes (R) with Daniel Craig

Purvis, who has been writing movie scripts with Wade for 28 years, said: "We were going to stop with Quantum Of Solace, but it's good to go out on a high with Skyfall."

Current 007 Daniel Craig, who has starred in the last three Bond adventures, is contracted for a further two.

Skyfall, which was released last month, became the UK's biggest box office hit of the year in the space of just 12 days.

It is also the most financially successful Bond film ever, having already taken more money than the highly-acclaimed Casino Royale in 2006.

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Archbishop: Church 'Lost Credibility' Over Vote

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said the Church of England has a "lot of explaining" to do after the General Synod narrowly voted against legislation introducing the first women bishops.

The draft legislation was carried in the Houses of bishops and clergy but failed to gain the necessary two-thirds majority among lay members.

Dr Rowan Williams said the Church of England had "undoubtedly" lost a "measure of credibility" in the wider society following the defeat.

"We have, to put it very bluntly, a lot of explaining to do," he told the General Synod.

"Whatever the motivation for voting yesterday (Tuesday), whatever the theological principle on which people acted and spoke, the fact remains that a great deal of this discussion is not intelligible to our wider society.

"Worse than that, it seems as if we are wilfully blind to some of the trends and priorities of that wider society. We have some explaining to do, we have as a result of yesterday undoubtedly lost a measure of credibility in our society."

Dr Williams' comments came as an emergency meeting of the Church of England bishops was held following the defeat - by just six votes.

The vote was billed as the biggest in the 20 years since the General Synod backed the introduction of women priests in 1992, and came after 42 out of the 44 dioceses of the Church of England backed the legislation.

If the measure had received final approval, it would have gone to the Houses of Parliament before Royal Assent with the first women bishops on course to be appointed as early as 2014.

Rowan Williams was deeply disappointed by the vote

The result was a blow to Dr Williams and his successor, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, who staked their authority on a 'yes' vote.

Dr Williams, who leaves his post at the end of this year after a decade in office, expressed his "deep personal sadness" at the result.

He said he wished Bishop Welby "every blessing" in resolving the issue.

Around a third of all Church of England clergy are women - they also make up just under a half of all those training for ordination.

Women and the Church (Watch), the campaigning group, said the result was a "devastating blow".

The Rev Rachel Weir, Watch chairman, said: "This is a tragic day for the Church of England after so many years of debate and after all our attempts at compromise.

"Despite this disappointing setback, Watch will continue to campaign for the full acceptance of women's gifts of leadership in the Church's life."

But the Rev Prebendary Rod Thomas, chairman of the conservative evangelical grouping Reform, which recommended a no vote, said: "My overall conclusion is that it is very good news for the Church of England.

"We have avoided what could have been a disastrous mistake for our unity and witness."

The defeat came in spite of a series of appeals from senior bishops for the General Synod to support the legislation.

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Economy: Weak Tax Receipts Stoke Borrowing

The Government borrowed more than forecast in October as a 10% fall in Corporation Tax receipts hurt Treasury coffers.

Public Sector Net Borrowing, excluding financial interventions such as bank bailouts, came in at £8.6bn.

It means that for the tax year-to-date, the total stands at £73.3bn - £5bn higher than the year before.

The Chancellor wants borrowing for the full year 2012/2013 of £120bn and the latest figures leave George Osborne facing tough choices ahead of his Autumn Statement to the Commons on December 5.

As he remains under pressure to loosen the austerity drive that his critics argue is damaging economic growth, Mr Osborne is equally squeezed on the option of imposing more spending cuts to cover weaker than expected income.

Economists suggest one of his golden rules - ensuring that the UK's debt-to-GDP ratio starts falling toward 2015 - may be abandoned.

The chances of such a move were heightened after Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King effectively endorsed it last week, on condition that the global economy was growing slowly.

The Office for National Statistics said total tax receipts were 1.8% higher at £47.5bn in October, but total expenditure rose 7.4% to £52.8bn.

Tax revenues were dragged down by corporation tax raising only £8.1bn, while spending on social benefits, such as state pensions, jumped 7.7% to £16bn.

In response a Treasury spokesman said: "The economy is healing but it still faces many challenges. These numbers illustrate that, but also show the Government's plans to bring spending under control are on track for the year."

Labour dismissed that argument, with sh adow chief secretary to the Treasury Rachel Reeves saying: "George Osborne is borrowing billions more simply to pay for the cost of his economic failure. Having failed on jobs and growth, the Government is now failing on the deficit too.

"With long-term unemployment rising and our economy flatlining, the welfare bill is now soaring while business tax receipts are down.

"By squeezing families and businesses too hard, choking off the recovery and so pushing borrowing up not down, the Government's economic plan has completely backfired.

"The Chancellor cannot rely on a short-term bailout from the Bank of England's quantitative easing scheme to get him out of his hole.

"Smoke and mirrors will fool nobody. People will want to see borrowing and debt figures without the impact of a £35bn transfer of money from the Bank of England so they can make proper comparisons and judgements."

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Warnings As Flooding Brings Travel Disruption

Dozens of schools have closed, some roads are deemed impassable and stranded drivers have abandoned their cars after flooding in southwest England.

Following heavy rain, the Environment Agency has issued around 50 flood warnings for the region, where flooding is expected, as well as a similar number of less serious flood alerts, where flooding is possible.

There were also about a dozen flood warnings and 30 alerts in the Midlands.

At least 12 schools in Devon were closed and 17 were shut in Somerset, two of the worst-hit counties.

A statement from North Curry C of E Primary School, east of Taunton in Somerset, said: "The village and roads leading in are flooded and only a couple of staff members can get in.

"Also, parents cannot get the children through the floods. It is treacherous and the rain shows no sign of easing."

Devon and Cornwall Police said there had been a number of reports of standing water on roads, creating a risk of drivers aquaplaning and potentially losing control of their vehicles.

Heavy downpours have already hit parts of central, southern and southwest England, and southeast Wales, this week, while strong winds have battered parts of the country.

It is feared that this could increase the risk of surface water flooding as wind-blown leaves and debris could block drains, the Environment Agency warned.

There are warnings of more heavy downpours on the way

Earlier this week, more than 100 residents were evacuated from their homes and transport links were cut off after persistent heavy rain caused flooding in Scotland.

The highest rainfall overnight was on Dartmoor, Devon, with 33mm in 12 hours.

Sky News weather presenter Sarah Pennock said: "The heaviest bursts of rain will be across the West Country and western parts of the Midlands. Here we could see the risk of localised flooding with up to two inches of rainfall in a few hours."

Forecasters have said there was likely to be a temporary reprieve later in the day but warned that further downpours are likely as the week progresses.

There is a weather warning for Thursday for southwestern England and southeast Wales, with a band of rain coming through of 20-50mm and up to 60mm in the worst-hit areas, and winds with gusts of up to 50-60mph.

A weather warning for heavy rain and strong and gusty winds is in place for western Scotland on Thursday, with warnings of possible flooding.

Forecasters said a mixture of sunshine and showers are predicted for Friday, with heavy rain from the south from later on Saturday into Sunday.

Bob Wilderspin, Met Office chief forecaster, said: "The current unsettled spell of weather is set to continue with further spells of heavy rain expected across the country over the next few days.

"A particularly squally day is expected on Thursday as strong to gale force winds combine with heavy rain moving in from the west.

"With winds gusting up to 60 to 70mph in places and 20 to 50mm of rain falling in a short period of time, we urge everyone to keep up to date with forecasts and warnings and be prepared for what the weather will bring."

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London Murder Hunt: Mugged Pensioner Named

Detectives investigating the murder of a pensioner mugged in west London have named her as 85-year-old Paula Castle.

Mrs Castle, who lived alone in Westbridge Gardens, Greenford, died after being robbed in an alleyway on Monday at around 1.50pm.

The widow, who was registered blind, was initially taken to Ealing Hospital with a head injury.

She was later transferred to St Mary's Hospital but her condition deteriorated and she died in the early hours of Tuesday.

A post-mortem is due to take place.

The alleyway where Mrs Castle was mugged in Greenford on Monday

A police statement said two male suspects were believed to have approached the victim from behind and stolen her handbag.

In the process, Mrs Castle was assaulted and she fell to the ground.

The suspects, who were dressed in dark clothing, then ran off with the handbag - the bag has since been recovered.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Russell Taylor, of the Met's Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the sequence of events which will have occurred in a potentially busy area of Greenford in daylight.

"We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the victim or the suspects at the time."

Neighbours said Mrs Castle had lived in Greenford for several decades and was a very quiet person.

Transport manager Paul Honor, 53, said: "She kept herself to herself really. A lot of people are shocked by what's happened.

"We have written to the council asking for the alley to be closed. My son's 15 and I've told him not to use it."

Mo Mian, 32, a prison officer, said: "The only time you would catch her would be on the High Street, shopping, or when she was mowing the front lawn.

"I felt sick when I found out what happened to her.

"She was independent and doing her thing, she was definitely taken before her time."

Anyone with information is urged to call the incident room on 0208 7214868, or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Sarah Payne: Roy Whiting's Attacker Sentenced

A double murderer stabbed notorious child killer Roy Whiting in the eye twice because he was a "dirty little nonce", a court has heard.

Gary Vinter, 42, picked a high-profile target in July 2011 because he wanted to change the conditions in which he was held at Wakefield jail, West Yorkshire.

Whiting, a convicted sex offender sentenced to life in prison in 2001 for the murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne, received emergency care following the attack in his cell and has made a full recovery.

Vinter appeared via a videolink from Long Lartin Prison, Worcestershire, before Mr Justice Openshaw sitting at Newcastle Crown Court.

After hearing Andrew Kershaw, prosecuting, give an explanation for the gruesome attack, Vinter said: "He was a dirty little nonce. That's why I did it."

Vinter, from Middlesbrough, sneaked into Whiting's cell and used a sharpened plastic toilet brush handle to stab Whiting in both eyes.

"On the second stabbing, the tip of the weapon broke leaving a piece of plastic in this victim's eye socket," Mr Kershaw said.

Vinter then kicked and punched Whiting as he lay on the floor, before he left the cell.

Mr Kershaw had said there was no evidence of any animosity between the two.

"They had not spoken," he said. "They had only been on the same wing at Wakefield Prison for a few days."

But Vinter, who is serving a life sentence after murdering a workmate in 1996 and his estranged wife in 2008, picked out Whiting for his notoriety, the court heard.

Sara Payne has fought for child protection since her daughter's murder

"It was a cold-blooded premeditated attack intending to maim at least. It was calculated to manipulate the prison authorities into changing the conditions under which he was detained."

He told officers he had tried to kill Whiting, that as a "natural life" prisoner he had no hope and he had warned the authorities he would target a "high-profiler".

Whiting told the authorities how Vinter burst into his cell. In a statement read out in court, he said: "I was immediately punched and hit to the right eye and nose area and it made me stagger into the cell wall.

"I then felt a second punch or blow to the left side. Following the second blow, I was aware of a severe pain in my eye and my vision was now blurred in my left eye.

"I slid down the walls to the floor and I raised my arms to defend myself but felt further kicks and punches."

Whiting was treated at Pinderfields Hospital where he received stitches in his eye lids and the shard of plastic was removed.

The court heard after three months of blurred vision in his left eye, he has made a full recovery apart from some numbness to the area.

Vinter admitted wounding with intent at a previous hearing and was given an indefinite sentence, with a notional minimum term of five years.

Mr Justice Openshaw said Vinter chose his victim because he was a "notorious child murderer" and an aggravating factor of the offence was Whiting's vulnerability.

He said: "There is no regret or remorse, on the contrary, the defendant derived and continues to derive considerable satisfaction from having committed this offence."

After sentencing, Vinter said: "Thank you very much judge, it has been a pleasure."

Vinter is appealing against his full life term before European Human Rights judges at the end of this month.

In 1996, Vinter was jailed for life for murdering Carl Edon, 22, a railway signalman. He was released in 2006 after serving a 10-year minimum term.

He was recalled to prison for his part in a pub brawl and then went on to murder his wife Anne White, 40, in a chilling offence four years ago.

He had followed her around Middlesbrough pubs, then had her kidnapped to his mother's house where he stabbed her to death having failed in his attempt to strangle her.

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'Devastating' Loss Of Baby Boy Bitten By Dog

The family of a baby boy who died after being bitten by a dog in Shropshire says it has been left "absolutely devastated" by the infant's death.

Harry Harper died in hospital on Tuesday morning after paramedics were called out to a house in Woodside Road in Ketley, near Telford.

The boy had reportedly been with his mother at his grandparents' house when it was attacked by the family-owned dog.

In a statement, the family said: "We are absolutely devastated by Harry's death and have no words to describe the loss we have suffered.

"At the present time, we have no wish to speak publicly about yesterday's events and would ask that we are left in peace to grieve and begin to deal with our loss."

The house on Woodside Road where the attack happened

Initial indications suggested Harry, who was just eight days old, died after being bitten by the Jack Russell.

Police emphasised that Harry was not mauled by the animal, which has now been put down.

West Mercia Police are continuing to investigate the precise circumstances of the newborn's death as they await the result of a post-mortem examination.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson said: "Our investigation is ongoing but it appears that the baby died as a result of a dog bite.

"The dog in question was a family pet - a Jack Russell - and this animal has been put down.

"A post-mortem will be taking place to establish the exact cause of this baby's death but at this stage it does appear to be a tragic accident.

Woodside Road, Ketley

"With an investigation ongoing, there is no further comment I can make on this matter apart from to say that all our thoughts are with the family of the baby at this extremely sad time."

The emergency services were called to the house just before 8am and Harry was taken to Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

Efforts to save the baby were made by the ambulance crew at the scene and on the way to the hospital.

Residents in the local area were reluctant to speak to the media about the tragedy, which is reported to have happened at the home of his mother's parents.

One neighbour, who declined to give her name, said: "It's very, very sad.

"Losing a baby must be heart-breaking however it happens and they need to be left to grieve."

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Winslet And Fellow Celebs Honoured By Queen

Actress Kate Winslet and Take That singer-songwriter Gary Barlow have spoken of their pride at receiving their honours from the Queen.

Oscar-winning actress Winslet, who was awarded a CBE for services to drama, said she and the monarch had discussed the joys of motherhood when she collected her honour.

The 37-year-old star said the royal had congratulated her and asked how much she enjoyed acting. "I said yes I liked it but not as much as being a mother. She said: 'It is the best job.'"

The Queen pins the honour onto Gary Barlow's lapel

When her honour was announced in June, Winslet, who won a Best Actress Oscar in 2009 for her role in The Reader, said: "I feel deeply proud to receive this, as a part of an ever-expanding community of British actors and film-makers who are fortunate enough to be able to contribute to an international industry.

"This makes me very proud to be a Brit."

Take That star Barlow, 41, said he was "deeply proud" to be given his OBE.

Although he refused to talk to reporters after his investiture, he said in a statement he had been surprised by the award and that it "hadn't seemed real until today".

Darren Clarke said he was nerve-racked at meeting the Queen

The X Factor judge masterminded the triumphant Diamond Jubilee concert - staged at the Palace during a special bank holiday weekend in June - that featured a host of stars including Stevie Wonder and Sir Paul McCartney who played to a televised audience of millions.

The anthem Sing, co-written with Andrew Lloyd Webber, and featured at the Jubilee concert, topped the singles charts during the summer and his OBE was announced days later in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Another award winner was Ryder Cup-winning golfer Darren Clarke who was given an OBE for services to the sport.

Afterwards, the charismatic Northern Irishman, 44, said meeting the Queen was more nerve-racking than winning a major tournament.

Clarke captured the nation's hearts in 2006 when he put in one of the greatest ever performances in the history of the Ryder Cup at The K Club near Dublin, just six weeks after his first wife, Heather, died of breast cancer.

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