Elite soldiers 'like terror group'
Members of an Army unit dubbed Britain's secret terror force have admitted breaking the law by firing on unarmed IRA suspects in west Belfast.
The Military Reaction Force (MRF) also carried out drive-by shootings of nationalists 40 years ago, even though there was no independent evidence any of them were members of the republican group, a new television documentary has claimed.
The elite soldiers believed military regulations prohibiting firing unless their lives were in immediate danger did not apply to them.
Cancer survival lags behind Europe
Britain's cancer survival rates are lagging behind the rest of Europe and other major economies, with just Poland and Ireland faring worse in some strains of the disease, an international health study has revealed.
Experts said 10,000 lives a year could be saved if the United Kingdom managed to simply meet the average rates achieved across Europe.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report compares key health records from its 34 member countries as well as the so-called Bric countries and other nations where possible.
Deal 'allowed US to store emails'
British intelligence officials reportedly approved plans allowing the phone, internet and email records of ordinary UK citizens to be analysed and stored by the US National Security Agency.
Documents from the whistleblower Edward Snowden suggest that a deal was reached in 2007 that allowed the agency to hold information they had previously not been allowed to, according to an investigation by the Guardian and Channel 4 News.
It had been believed that citizens of states in the Five Eyes partnership - the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - were protected from surveillance from those within it but changes six years ago allow the NSA to analyse and retain any British citizen's mobile phone and fax numbers, email and IP addresses swept up by its dragnet, according to the investigation.
Terror fears over Syria Britons
Fears are growing that British extremists fighting alongside al Qaida in Syria could pose a terrorist threat when they return home.
Four British men have been killed in recent months while fighting with the terror group against government forces.
Three of the men, all thought to be from London, were killed as they attacked fighters loyal to President Bashar Assad, while a fourth died two weeks later when he was shot as he ambushed an enemy position, The Times said.
House blaze victims named
Post-mortem examinations will take place today on two women and two young boys who were killed in a house fire.
Claire James, 27 and Josie Leighton, 32, were pronounced dead at the scene of the blaze at Williamthorpe Road, North Wingfield, near Chesterfield yesterday, while Tyler Green, nine, and Jordan Green, 12, were pronounced dead later at Chesterfield and District Royal Hospital.
A seven-year-old girl who was taken to hospital suffering from minor smoke inhalation has been discharged.
Miliband defends Labour Co-op links
Labour leader Ed Miliband said his party acted with "utmost integrity" in its dealings with the Co-op Bank and its disgraced former chairman Rev Paul Flowers.
Mr Miliband spoke out after Prime Minister David Cameron announced an inquiry into the bank's ailing finances and decision to appoint Mr Flowers, a former Labour councillor who faces police questioning over allegations that he bought illegal drugs.
Mr Miliband faced questions yesterday over why Mr Flowers had been brought on to the party's business advisory group and further questions about the party's links to the former bank chairman, who has also been accused of incompetence.
World wants to host Python stars
Monty Python will today unveil their eagerly anticipated comeback to the world - although the venue is still not known.
The veteran comedy troupe - which features John Cleese and Michael Palin in their line-up - will be confirming a reunion, their first new project for three decades.
The team's Eric Idle revealed they had received "bids" to host the performance in locations around the world but a "winner" still had to be finalised.
(SHOWBIZ Python)
Hammond heads off reform rebellion
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond managed to head off a Tory rebellion over the Government's controversial Army reorganisation after making last-minute concessions.
The Conservative amendment, which could have delayed plans to expand the Army Reserve to 30,000 to offset cuts of 20,000 in regular forces by 2020, was defeated by 306 votes to 252.
Tory rebel ringleader John Baron wanted to force the Defence Secretary to report to Parliament on the "viability and cost-effectiveness" of the reform plans and only allow them to go ahead with the approval of both Houses.
NHS 'wasted £40m' on utility bills
The NHS in England wasted more than £40 million last year by paying too much for its energy and water, research revealed.
Money spent on excessive utility bills could have paid the salaries of more than 1,350 extra nurses, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) said.
The NHS in England spent more than £630 million on energy and £80 million on water 2012-13.
Step Up To Serve campaign launched
The Prince of Wales has joined forces with the three main political party leaders and business chiefs to urge youngsters to spend time on social action.
In launching the Step Up To Serve campaign at Buckingham Palace, the prince, Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband are calling on more youngsters to get involved so that participation levels are doubled to more than 50% by 2020.
It is hoped that 1.7 million more young people aged between 10 and 20 years old will be spurred on to make social action - defined as "practical action in the service of others - a habit for life".