The prosecution in the phone hacking trial has told jurors that e-mail exchanges prove the News of the World was paying public officials for information.

A professional Italian thief who gained short-lived notoriety for having stolen jewellery and other items belonging to the Prince of Wales from St James’s Palace was shot dead at his home in northwest Italy, police said.

AIDAN O’BRIEN may bypass next Sunday’s Prix du Jockey-Club and let all his Vodafone Derby entries take their chance at Epsom.