RED TOP REVIEW

Author Nicholas Evans poisoned by mushrooms
The Daily Record leads the pack today with the revelation that Horse Whisperer author Nicholas Evans is fighting for his life after eating poisonous mushrooms on a holiday in Scotland. The millionaire writer's wife, and her clan chief brother and his wife were also poisoned said the paper. The 58-year-old author, who lives in London, was on holiday at the 12,000-acre estate in Moray of his brother-in-law Sir Alastair Gordon-Cumming. The party picked Destroying Angel mushrooms, which they later cooked and ate. All were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where their condition was described as seriously ill but stable. A family friend is quoted as saying: "They have picked mushrooms in the woods before and simply thought these were the safe ones. The family are normally very careful about picking them."

Bike ride tragedy for cancer widow
The Record has another tragic story, that of a widow knocked down and killed while on a bike ride in memory of her late husband. Ex-teacher Elspeth Kelman, 59, collided with a van on the Isle of Arran while on an annual ride in memory of Ronald Kelman who died of cancer in 1994 aged 56. The couple's sons, Stephen, 26, and Tim, 21, were also on the ride. The accident, on the A841 Brodick to Corrie road, happened on Saturday evening. A church minister was seriously injured in the accident and was flown by air ambulance to hospital, where his condition was said to be stable.

Macca's dinghy delight
On a happier note, the Sun today charts the latest development in Sir Paul McCartney's eventful private life. "Macca kisses Nancy… on a boat called Linda," says the headline. Sir Paul is pictured on a sailing dinghy, called Linda, sharing a kiss with his new girlfriend Nancy Shevell. The pictures were taken on the "sun-kissed" waters of The Hamptons on New York's Long Island. The paper observes: "And after the stormy seas of his divorce from second wife Heather Mills, Macca could hardly have looked calmer. At the height of his troubles, he said of the Sunfish dinghy: 'It's my antidote to chaos. I like the freedom, the peace.'"


BUSINESS

By Rosemary Gallagher

Brown gives Stamp Duty boost to housing market

In a bid to kick-start the UK housing market, the government has increased the Stamp Duty threshold to £175,000 from £125,000.
The government said that for one year, residential properties worth less than £175,000 will be exempt from the tax that starts at 1%.

The step was accompanied by a £1bn package to help first-time home buyers and people struggling to keep up with mortgage payments. However, some of the measures will not apply in Scotland.

UK house prices are reportedly falling at their fastest rate since the early 1990s, while rising fuel costs and the global credit crunch are denting economic confidence.


TELEVISION

By Chitra Ramaswamy

Hadrian, BBC2, 7pm
Coinciding with the British Museum's launch of an exhibition devoted to Hadrian, Dan Snow assesses the great Roman emperor's life and journeys around his vast empire. Turns out he was an unrivalled peacemaker and architect, and it's not just that Wall of his; his legacy includes Rome's Pantheon. But he was also a ruthless anti-semite with a star-crossed love life. Fascinating stuff.

Maestro, BBC2, 9pm
Imagine! Before this series who had a clue that Goldie, the jungle DJ who once dated Bjork, is so very sensitive with a baton? Or that Sue Perkins is a demon when it comes to conducting choral music? Tonight, the remaining students conduct a programme of popular operatic arias performed by soloists Alfie Boe and Rebecca Evans. The informative side of reality TV.

Room 101, BBC2, 10pm
Basically, don't bother changing channels this evening. BBC2 is where it's at, and here we have Paul Merton's last appearance presenting this long-running, classic show. Here he's aided by fellow Have I Got News For You team captain Ian Hislop, who wants to send the Beatles and Charlie Chaplin into oblivion. No, we don't understand either.


SPORT

Murray faces Del Potro to reach first Grand Slam semi

Andy Murray will meet in-form Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in the quarter-finals of the US Open as he bids to reach the last four of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.

Sixth seed Murray crushed Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka in straight sets 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 to book his place in the last eight and hailed the victory as one of the best of his career.

It was the Scot's first match at the Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows and attracted more than 23,000 spectators.

The win also handed Murray, a three-time winner in 2008, an elevation to at least world No 5 following David Ferrer's third round exit at the weekend, while the Scot will climb to No 4 should be outlast fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko in New York.

Victory in the quarter-final would set Murray up with a likely semi-final tie against Rafael Nadal.


FASHION

Red carpet events in Britain are few and far between – especially one where you can guarantee a genuine A-List star, rather than just all the recent BB evictees. So it's only proper that the ladies pull out all the stops. although maybe some of them should have kept a few stops in.

Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? Err, no
Meg Matthews obviously thought that retro was the way to go. That can be the only explanation for her stealing into Rod Stewart's wardrobe and making off with his 1976 stage outfit. Shame that she seems to have got his 2008 belly along with it.

Thunder Thighs
Tamara Ecclestone is young enough to get away with such a short skirt. And, standing still, it probably works. It's when she – and those thighs – get moving that it all falls apart.

Nappy Newton
Thandie Newton is thinking ahead. This is her audition piece for Ridley Scott's possible upcoming feature on Salome. Although she does seem to have stopped at the three veils – and tied them all up at her ankles. The effect is much more Pampers than pampered.

INTERNET

Website of the day

Anarchy in the UK. This website provides the definitive history of the birth of punk rock. A must for ageing Clash and Pistols fans.