Notbitch

A 23-year-old man is rescued by two surfers after his homemade raft was blown out to sea off the Gower.

The recession and a litigious culture is making it harder to get youngsters involved in activity holidays, says the head of Outward Bound in Wales.

The interim managing director brought in to run a crisis-hit authority is to stay on for the forseeable future.

HM Revenue and Customs says some 1.4 million people each owe about £1,500 in tax, while 4.3 million will get an average rebate of £418.

Novelist Ian McEwan talks to Matt Stadlen

Nine people, including one Briton, are killed when a light aircraft crashes after taking off from Fox Glacier in New Zealand, say reports.

One of Scotland's largest councils - North Lanarkshire - warns that it may have to cut more than 1,000 jobs.

The spending review's political arm-wrestling contest

Papers consider phone hack claims

Downing Street's head of communications, Andy Coulson, is safe in his job despite phone hacking claims surrounding the News of the World newspaper, says a senior government source.

A poll commissioned by Ed Miliband's leadership campaign finds voters are less likely to vote Labour if there is not a shift from New Labour policies.

Comic Eddie Kadi can command vast crowds at his live shows. Why has he attracted so little mainstream attention?

Fewer children are learning to play a musical instrument than in their parents' generation, a survey suggests.

Some 77% of Britons think taxpayers should not help pay for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Scotland and England, a survey suggests.

Banks are accused of leaving some customers in "dire poverty" after taking money out of their accounts without permission.

England manager Fabio Capello praises Jermain Defoe after the Tottenham striker scores a hat-trick in the 4-0 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Bulgaria.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair tells the BBC that radical Islam is the greatest threat facing the world.

Priceless tapestries designed by the Renaissance artist Raphael have arrived at the Victoria and Albert Museum as part of Pope Benedict XVI's state visit.

In an attempt to reach people who do not normally go to the cinema, Shetland film festival is targeting their pets.

Substitute Corry Evans scores with his first touch to give Northern Ireland a 1-0 win over Slovenia in the opening Euro 2012 qualifier in Maribor.