As Premiership Rugby returns after an eight-week break, BBC Sport assesses the table going into the final third of the season.

Proposals to introduce payment limits on NHS ADHD assessment providers raise concerns.

A permanent road repair is set to be carried out, Durham Council says.

A woman in her 20s and a two-year-old girl are in hospital in a stable condition.

Newcastle Eagles are "not satisfied yet" as they chase glory after making the last four of the European North Basketball League.

Craig Foster admits five counts of burglary, including one raid on the house of a family on holiday.

The safety checks follow a similar operation in Durham and Darlington in December last year.

The row is over the amount of back pay owed to healthcare assistants, the Union says.

Midfielder Oliver Finney, 27, was found not guilty following a trial at Chester Crown Court.

A study finds 4,490 patients visited A&E five times or more in a year - the highest in England.

BBC Radio Newcastle commentator Nick Barnes assesses the impact of Eliezer Mayenda and Sunderland's efforts to bring through youth.

They were found unconscious in Stockton after taking suspected sleeping pills, police say

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini questions the decision to play Alan Browne as a winger in their Championship defeat by Coventry.

The incident took place when Leeds United played Sunderland at Elland Road in February, police say.

Twelve-year-old MC SP80 JR is one of the newest musicians on the Makina scene.

A Northumberland army veteran is using the River Tees to train for a 310 mile (500km) canoe trek.