9am news briefing

A MAN was slashed and robbed of his phone and wallet during a walk in a city park.

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after the man was assaulted in West Pilton Park on Wednesday night.

The 24-year-old was walking over the grassy area near the Astroturf football pitches at 10.30pm, when two men approached him from behind.

The pair knocked him to the ground and the man thought he was punched before they ran off. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.

• HIBS star Derek Riordan has become a dad for the first time.

The 27-year-old's girlfriend gave birth to baby daughter Ruby yesterday.

It is understood the striker was with partner Susannah Robinson when she gave birth at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

• NEW plans to introduce wheelie bins into parts of the New Town to tackle the growing problem with ripped bin bags and vermin have been proposed by the council.

The drive would see special 'corrals' set up at street ends for clusters of large bins to prevent the growing population of seagulls from showering rubbish onto pavements.

The move will reignite the war of the wheelie bins which New Town residents thought they had won.