News in Brief

Protest arrests

Three politicians were among 40 people arrested during anti-nuclear demonstrations outside the Faslane naval base on the River Clyde. Mark Ballard, a Green MSP, and Frances Curran and Rosie Kane, of the Scottish Socialist Party, were arrested. The protest was attended by about 350 demonstrators.

Turning turtle

Satellite technology has revealed that Britain may be a natural home of the leatherback, the world’s largest marine turtle. Contrary to previous assumptions, some may actually spend most of their lives in British waters, returning to the Caribbean only to breed.

Working life

Half the adult population, as many as 23.5 million Britons, would be willing to continue working after retirement, a survey found. Money was not the only motivation. Almost three quarters of respondents would stay at work to keep their minds active, while one fifth wanted time away from the family.

Driver jailed

A driver was jailed for eight years by Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, for causing the deaths of two 16-year-olds by dangerous driving. Lee Elton, 28, of Oldham, admitted driving a Rover with faulty brakes when he lost control at speed and hit a stationary Ford, containing the two boys.

Berry effective

Blueberries may provide a new weapon against cholesterol. Pterostilbene, an antioxidant in the fruit, was found to act as effectively as a commercial drug used to reduce the “bad” form of cholesterol. Scientists think it could be developed to help people who do not respond to conventional drugs.

Rare cello taken

The owner of a 250-year-old cello has appealed for its safe return after it was taken from his home in Finchley, North London. The rare Carcassi cello, worth £66,000, was left to Pál Banda, 45, by his Hungarian father. Mr Banda plays the cello with the Allegri Quartet, well known for its chamber music.

Drowning appeal

A teenage boy drowned after getting into difficulty while swimming in a reservoir. The 17-year-old, who was not named, was swimming in the Cod Beck Reservoir, near Osmotherley, North Yorkshire, on Sunday. Police want anyone who was at the reservoir to come forward.

Wembley strikes

More than 200 construction workers staged an unofficial picket at Wembley Stadium building site after 200 on-site steel workers’ contracts were cancelled on Friday. The Amicus and GMB unions staged the protest against the job losses, which were, in their turn, prompted by unofficial strike action.

Unlucky break

A couple’s dream wedding had to be cancelled when the sleepwalking bridegroom fell 15ft out of a window. Dave Turver, 46, and Jacky Winter, 40, were to marry at the Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone, Kent. Mr Turver suffered broken ribs in the accident on the eve of the ceremony.

High return Scots

Landlords who buy to let in Scotland are getting the best returns, according to a survey by brokers Landlord Mortgages. The returns in Scotland in the past year average 8.02 per cent of the property’s value in rent compared to 5.99 per cent for England and 6.19 per cent in Northern Ireland.

Minicab warning

An Old Bailey judge warned of the dangers of using unlicensed minicabs in London after a man was cleared of raping a City worker. Mugibur Shah, 36, was found not guilty after the woman, 22, claimed she was raped in the back of Mr Shah’s car, which she flagged down after a night out.

Warm welcome

A tropical fish normally found in the Mediterranean has been caught by an angler fishing off Southend Pier, Essex, in what experts say is another example of rising sea temperatures. The exotic-looking rainbow wrasse has yellow stripes running along its iridescent green body and red fins.

Rooney deal

Coca-Cola said that it will stand by Wayne Rooney, the England footballer, after he admitted visiting prostitutes. The company, which has a sponsorship deal with the 18-year-old Everton striker, was responding to Sunday newspaper stories that Rooney had been to a brothel in his home city of Liverpool.