Thursday's newspapers

Reigning champion Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith will meet in the quarter-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Price & Smith set up quarter-final clash

Speaking to the BBC, Tara Palmeri said Jeffrey Epstein used vulnerable women to recruit other victims.

Maxwell case could be the 'tip of the iceberg'

Thomas Tuchel says his side cannot challenge for the Premier League crown while he has so many players out injured and ill.

'Stupid to think Chelsea in title race'

How she went from being the toast of high society to a convicted sex trafficker.

Ghislaine Maxwell, on her father's yacht "The Lady Ghislaine", circa 2000

The story of Ghislaine Maxwell's downfall

An attorney who has represented eight women who say they were abused by Jeffrey Epstein analyses the trial.

'Testifying takes extraordinary courage'

Brentford manager Thomas Frank says he was "very proud" of his side's "impressive" performance despite losing 1-0 against Manchester City.

Frank proud of Brentford's 'impressive' performance

Borussia Dortmund will put together deal to persuade Haaland to stay, Manchester City still keen on Kane and Haaland, Newcastle close in on Trippier signing, plus more.

Thursday's gossip column

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praises his side's "perfect performance" against Brentford's "incredible organisation" after they beat the Bees 1-0.

Guardiola praises 'perfect' City against Brentford

Karen Miles was been crowned UK bus driver of the year for her work during the pandemic.

'I turned my tears into a smile to help others'

This was a victory for the women who fought to bring Jeffrey Epstein's co-conspirator to justice.

The damning testimony that brought Maxwell down

Barnsley midfielder Herbie Kane will stay on loan at Oxford United for the rest of the season.

Barnsley's Kane to stay at Oxford

Looking back at the top 20 stories on the BBC Scotland news website in the past year.

Your most-read Scottish stories of 2021

Ghislaine Maxwell convicted of grooming and trafficking underage girls for financier Jeffrey Epstein.

BBC reports as Ghislaine Maxwell found guilty

Brighton and Hove Albion manager Graham Potter says his side picking up a 1-1 draw against Chelsea was a "good feeling".

A point against Chelsea is a 'great feeling' - Potter

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel says he was "very disappointed" VAR did not award his side a "clear penalty" in their 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

Tuchel 'very disappointed' with VAR not awarding 'clear penalty'

Two goals from in-form forward JJ Piccinich and one from Ben Lake secured the Belfast Giants a notable away win against the Guildford Flames.

Piccinich hits two as Giants beat Flames

The section of the A465 between Brynmawr and Gilwern was due to open in 2018.

Road opens three years late and £110m over budget

The race goes on to offer everyone in Wales a booster amid the spread of the Omicron variant.

Behind the scenes at a booster vaccination centre

The trees are seen as a way to minimise waste and support zoos during the Covid pandemic.

An Asian elephant plays with a Christmas tree in an enclosure at the Berlin Zoological Garden in Berlin, Germany, 29 December 202

Berlin Zoo animals feast on unsold Christmas trees

Keith Smith, 41, died at the scene of the collision in Midlothian on Tuesday afternoon.

Family tribute to man killed in two-car crash

Politicians and leaders of different faiths gathered in Cape Town to remember the anti-apartheid leader.

Interfaith leaders pay tribute to the legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu: Religious and political leaders pay tribute

The presidents of the US and Russia will speak in a bid to de-escalate tensions over Ukraine.

Mr Biden and Mr Putin pictured at a face to face meeting

Biden and Putin phone call seeks 'diplomatic path'

England men's head coach Chris Silverwood will miss the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney after being forced to isolate for 10 days.

England men's head coach Chris Silverwood

England's Silverwood to miss fourth Test

Staff tell an inquest they tried to save William Povah, 91, by performing the Heimlich manoeuvre.

Care home resident choked to death on bacon

Jamie Michael Jones, 17, hit a telegraph pole on a cycle path, two weeks before Christmas.

Teen died in electric bike crash, inquest told

A cheese company says the ban on it maturing cheese in a mine shaft has cost £60,000.

Cheddar makers cheesed off over mine shaft ban

Former Porto and Sporting CP boss José Peseiro is named as Nigeria's new coach, but the Portuguese will only take charge after the Africa Cup of Nations.

Portuguese José Peseiro named new Nigeria coach

Data from the Government of Jersey reveals there are currently 2,120 active cases in the island.

Jersey reports more than 1,300 new Covid cases

Handover times of up to six hours are reported by ambulance crews arriving at Shropshire A&E units.

Ambulances stuck at county A&Es

The hotel industry says it is a "massive relief" Blackpool's new year celebrations will go ahead.

Covid new year decision saving jobs, hoteliers say

The RSPCA say the bird was "in a flap" after getting stuck in a river drain on the River Aire.

Mallard stuck in drain rescued by fire crews

A double stabbing at Seven Kings railway station was followed by another in Kilburn High Road.

Four injured in London stabbings

Alan Lithgow's header earns new Morton manager Dougie Imrie a Scottish Championship point at Kilmarnock in his first match in charge.

Morton came from behind to level at Rugby Park

Kilmarnock held at home by Morton

Business groups criticise a new law requiring mandatory fingerprinting, drug tests and STD checks.

Foreign residents doing paper work at Moscow's Multifunctional migration centre in December 2019

Russia orders health and drug checks for foreigners

Live Radio Scotland coverage of Kilmarnock v Morton in the Scottish Championship.

Listen: Ten-man Kilmarnock held at home by Morton

Hundreds of staff at Foxconn in Sriperumbudur were reportedly hit by food poisoning.

Apple puts Indian iPhone factory 'on probation'

The spike in reported cases comes as frustration grows over a lack of available lateral flow tests.

A woman in a mask walks down a street in Cardiff, Wales

Daily UK Covid case numbers hit record 183,037

Staff absences due to Covid led to the cancellation of more than 100 rail services on Wednesday.

Travel disruption as 300 ScotRail staff isolate

Irish Premiership leaders Linfield confirm that striker Matthew Green's contract has "been terminated by mutual consent" and the player has returned home to England.

Striker Green released by Linfield

Tributes are paid to Anne Chidzira Muluzi, the first woman to hold the title there, who died aged 69.

Malawians mourn the country's inaugural first lady

Candie Frazier says her mental health suffered after watching "extreme and graphic" video content.

TikTok moderator sues over 'psychological trauma'

Natalie Forshaw, 30, did not have the vaccine over fear it might harm her unborn baby, her mum says.

Family heartbroken after new mum dies with Covid

The Malvern gathering had a break of nearly two years because of Covid.

Group helping pensioners beat isolation reopens

A surgeon who operated on the two women may have been the source of infection, a BBC investigation found.

Inquest planned for new mums who died from herpes

Queens Park Rangers and Bournemouth are charged by the FA after a melee towards the end of their match on Monday.

QPR and Bournemouth charged by FA

The warning comes as record cases are once again reported across the US and Europe.

A woman is getting a Covid-19 test at a Covid-19 testing center next to the Queens Hospital Center as hundreds of residents line up to get Covid-19 test in Queens of New York, United States on December 28, 2021

Omicron and Delta driving case tsunami - WHO

Intruders also broke a window and spray-painted walls in a raid police are treating as a hate crime.

Vandals 'urinate next to altar' in church raid

Wales' rules allow no more than 50 people at outdoor events, including sporting fixtures.

Rugby fans get round Covid rules to watch match

Wednesday's data reflects the period between midnight on 23 December and midnight on 28 December.

14 Covid deaths and 23,000 cases over Christmas

A warmer world will see tropical cyclones occur in regions near New York, Boston, Beijing and Tokyo.

Hurricanes to expand into more populated regions

Officers are appealing for CCTV footage of vehicles or people acting suspiciously in the area.

Rival gangs smash windows in Christmas Day attacks

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson questions whether the salary cap inquiry into Leicester Tigers will do any good for the game.

Sanderson queries Leicester inquiry

The nuclear reactor announcement could be pushed back after more time is needed to prepare a report.

Sizewell C final decision facing delays

The coldest US state faces weather extremes after heavy snowfall and torrential rain.

'Icemageddon' warnings follow Alaska heat record

Sunday's United Rugby Championship meeting between Edinburgh and Glasgow is called off due to the continuance of positive Covid-19 cases in the Warriors' squad.

Edinburgh v Glasgow off due to Covid

Bath sign Russia's former Sale Sharks prop Valery Morozov as cover for the injured Beno Obano.

Bath bring in Russia prop Morozov

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stresses that drastic cuts on spectators at sporting events are currently "inescapable" following criticism of "inconsistencies".

Spectator limit 'inescapable' - Sturgeon

Declan Jones was sacked from West Midlands Police in September while serving a six-month sentence.

Ex-PC jailed for assaults in lockdown found dead

The incident happened in Limavady, as strong winds are recorded across Northern Ireland.

Family escape injury after tree falls on their van

Dragons' United Rugby Championship derby against Cardiff on New Year's Day is postponed due to Covid-19.

Dragons v Cardiff off due to Covid-19

The boy, a pedestrian, is in a serious condition in hospital after the Gillingham crash, police say.

Teenager seriously injured in crash

Volunteers say an average of 15 lorries a week are flouting the weight restriction.

Heavy lorries cause concern over bridge damage

The handwritten note saying "traitors hang" was sent to the MP's office just before Christmas.

MP releases photograph of death threat letter

Unison, which represents ambulance workers, says delays are having a "demoralising" impact on staff.

'No light at end of tunnel' for ambulance delays

The injury the 17-year-old boy has is not thought to be life threatening, police say.

Teenager injured as gun fired at car

Lincolnshire Police say they have seen a spike in incidents over recent days.

Dispersal order issued after rise in hare coursing

An overseas worker should have been allowed home during the Covid border closure, a deemster says.

Visit ban breached man's human rights, court hears

Aston Villa's Trezeguet returns to the Egypt squad for the Africa Cup of Nations with Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Elneny also named.

Aston Villa's Trezeguet trains with manager Steven Gerrard watching on

Aston Villa's Trezeguet returns to Egypt squad

A dozen suspects are identified and police are asking anyone with phone footage to get in touch.

Officers assaulted during match crowd trouble

Plans for the site include electric vehicle charging points and a carbon neutral main building.

Rubbish being sorted on a conveyor belt for recycling

Council to spend £18m on green waste hub

Cornish Pirates suffer a "huge financial impact" after their Championship game on Boxing Day against Hartpury was postponed.

Covid call off hits Pirates finances

Dark months are ahead for the hospitality industry, the chief executive of Adnams says.

Brewery boss says sector lost 50% of festive trade

Benjamin Connor, 30, died after being hit by a vehicle on the M602 motorway on Tuesday.

Man killed on motorway was great dad, family say

The puppies, thought to be just two days old, are safely rescued and taken to vets for a check up.

New-born puppies given oxygen after shed fire

Blandford, Portland and the Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne are affected.

Minor injury units close due to Covid pressures

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick says disruptions caused by Covid-19 have impacted his progress since taking over at Manchester United.

Covid has hit Man Utd progress - Rangnick

The Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay is touring the Commonwealth before coming to the UK.

Games relay bosses seek inspiring baton-bearers

Return To Hogwarts, which is released on New Year's Day, has received mixed reviews.

Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint

Critics decry Rowling's absence in Potter reunion

Managerless Oldham remain bottom of League Two after a goalless draw against fellow strugglers Barrow.

Barrow 0-0 Oldham Athletic

Swindon round off 2021 with a lacklustre 0-0 home draw with relegation-threatened Stevenage

Swindon Town 0-0 Stevenage

James Norwood's goal earns Ipswich victory over Wycombe to give new boss Kieran McKenna a winning start.

Ipswich Town 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers

A superb second-half strike from Luke Murphy gives Crewe a vital victory at fellow League One strugglers Morecambe.

Morecambe 1-2 Crewe Alexandra

Oxford United turn on the style as they thrash AFC Wimbledon to climb up to fifth in League One.

Oxford United 3-0 AFC Wimbledon

Steve Cotterill's Shrewsbury play out a dour goalless draw against Accrington in their final home game of 2021.

Shrewsbury Town 0-0 Accrington Stanley

Tom Bradshaw's late goal sees a depleted Millwall come away from Coventry City with a 1-0 Championship victory.

Bradshaw leads depleted Millwall to win

Duncan Watmore's stoppage-time winner helps Middlesbrough edge past depleted Blackpool in a dramatic finish at Bloomfield Road.

Boro grab stoppage-time win at Blackpool

Ben Brereton Diaz scores his 20th league goal of the season as Blackburn beat Barnsley to make it six Championship wins in a row.

Brereton Diaz goal seals Blackburn win

The latest figures show positive test results since Christmas Eve.

A vaccination being administered in a branch of Boots in Halifax

Guernsey has 1,000 new Covid cases

Sharjah emulates the feats of Istabraq and Hurricane Fly in winning the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown for a fourth time.

Sharjah takes fourth Matheson Hurdle win

Tobyn Salvatore appeared in court accused of killing Denis and Mary Fell in Livingston on 26 December.

Teenager charged with Boxing Day murders

Police say a car was driven the wrong way to arrivals and "repeatedly rammed police vehicles".

Man in Gatwick airport Taser arrest released

Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou's manager says he has not heard back from the UFC since June over a new contract.

Francis Ngannou with his heavyweight belt

Ngannou in 'stand-off' over UFC contract

Police say the 34-year-old has life-changing injuries after the collision in Kettering.

29 December 2021