WHEN I picked up this book I thought it was a girly book about a nurse, but then I started reading it and was surprised that it was a factual account of a nurse training in London during world War II.

You may need the tissues for this.

IF Percy French’s venerable sparring partners Abdul Abulbul Amir and Ivan Skavinsky Skavar still get together for a Christmas jaw-wag, to talk about old, old times when men were men, “when that son of the desert, in battle aroused, could spit 20 men on his spear”, it’s hard to think that those noble cuirassiers would go anywhere other than a proper, belt-stretching steakhouse.

The two leaders in Scotland's independence debate have clashed over the issues of currency, energy and the health service in a TV debate.

Rod Stewart is moving back to the UK after almost 40 years.

Kimberley Walsh has confirmed Cheryl Cole will perform on 'Britain's Got Talent'.

A week ago, on a slightly rainy Sunday evening, the sad news broke that the great Canadian writer, Alistair MacLeod, had died.

Fulham have taken drastic action in their bid to beat relegation by sacking Rene Meulensteen and appointing Felix Magath as first-team manager.

Michael Clifford (Opinion, Nov 4) expounds freely (and accurately) on the debilitating legacy that haunts the ‘bould Bertie, long after his deserved demise in a whirlpool of shame.

GETTING the children kitted out for school costs a small fortune. But budget supermarket, Aldi, retails a primary school uniform for less than €6.50.

Rod Stewart once took a "beautiful" blonde back to his hotel room - and discovered she was a man.

Two former paramilitary prisoners, one UVF and the other INLA, are in Co Cork tomorrow as part of a human rights project.

Long after he swam, cycled and ran his way around Hyde Park and its environs, Irish triathlete Gavin Noble proved he is equally impressive standing still.

Gavin Noble was pleased to come 23rd in today's men's triathlon despite his recent knee problems.

South Africa lock Alistair Hargreaves has agreed a deal to join Saracens next season.

ITV bosses are offering Harry Hill a deal worth up to £4m to stay with the broadcaster.

CIARAN Ó LIONAIRD took another giant step forward in his fragmented athletics career yesterday when he finished sixth in his semi-final of the men’s 1,500m at the world championships in Daegu to qualify for tomorrow’s final.

IRELAND’S hopes of a medal at the world championships in Daegu suffered a major blow yesterday when Olive Loughnane failed to replicate her silver medal performance in Berlin two years ago in the women’s 20k walk.

CIARÁN Ó LIONAIRD is set to take his place among the great middle distance runners after a cool, calculated and confident run in the 1,500m heats at the world championships in Daegu yesterday.

Kimberly Stewart is believed to have named her daughter Delilah.

Rod Stewart emailed his children to let them know he was a father again.

Rod Stewart is in awe of how well his wife copes with their new baby.

Former Rangers captain Richard Gough has likened the modern Old Firm spectacle to “car crash TV” as the clubs prepare for talks with the police and Scottish Government over the social problems surrounding the fixture.

Bogside finally opened his account at the fifth attempt in the Kelso Members Novices' Hurdle at the Scottish venue this afternoon.

An investigation was underway today after a 42-year-old man was shot dead by police during a seven-hour armed siege at his village home.

MISS Bubble’s Troubles by Malaika Rose Stanley, illustrated by Jan Smith (Tamarind; €7.10) tells of popular Miss Bubble’s cat-induced accident, which causes her to lose her memory.

Penny Lancaster was almost ready to give up on her dream of having another baby before she fell pregnant again.

New Labour leader Ed Miliband has given his strongest signal yet that he would put up taxes in order to protect public services from spending cuts.

Rod Stewart has vowed his eighth child will be his last.

Mark Hughes is confident he will have enough time before the transfer window closes to bring in the players he wants to Fulham.

ALISTAIR CRAGG has made no secret of the fact that he fancies his chances in tomorrow’s SPAR European cross-country championships at Santry Demesne and his arrival yesterday added to the air of excitement that surrounds the Irish camp, situated just a stone’s throw from what is a resplendent course.

Alistair Cragg has been confirmed by Athletics Ireland as part of the Irish team for the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Santry Park next month.

Racing got underway at Carlisle today despite heavy rain throughout the morning and the going changing to an official description of soft, heavy in places.

Medals may prove beyond them, but Ireland's track and field stars could be in for a record-breaking few weeks at the Beijing Olympics.

ALISTAIR CRAGG is Ireland’s latest Olympic injury concern.

THERE was further concern for Irish team manager, Patsy McGonagle, on the eve of the Olympic team’s departure for the pre-Olympic training camp in Matsue when middle distance runner, Alistair Cragg, pulled out of the 3,000m race at the Super Grand Prix in Monte Carlo last night.

In-form trainer Keith Reveley bagged a one-two with Brave Rebellion and Truckers Lady in the feature John Smith’s No Nonsense Novices’ Chase at Kelso.

Newly-wed rocker Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster were today enjoying the first day of their Mediterranean honeymoon after tying the knot in a private ceremony on the Italian Riviera, a spokeswoman for the couple said today.

ALISTAIR CRAGG was yesterday basking in the glory of a new Irish record he set on Sunday when he smashed Mark Carroll’s national 10,000m mark with a 27:39.55 run at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational meeting in Stanford University, California.

Ferdy Murphy and Graham Lee stole the show at Ayr with a 20-1 treble highlighted by Marshall Hall, who completed a hat-trick in impressive fashion in the Guinness Handicap Chase and set himself up for a trip to the Punchestown Festival in the process.

ALISTAIR CRAGG will go head-to-head with Australian distance star Craig Mottram in Boston next weekend, it was confirmed last night.

ALISTAIR CRAGG has his sights set firmly on the European Indoor Championships in Birmingham on March 2/3/4, when he will defend his 3,000m title.

Veteran rocker Rod Stewart has advised Paul McCartney not to read the papers, to “stay out of it”.

Aging rocker Rod Stewart is planning to have another baby with young fiancee Penny Lancaster, just nine months after the former model gave birth to their son Alistair.