News

G7 nations pledge to fight crisis
World politics
The G7 nations issued a five-point plan of "decisive action" to unfreeze credit markets, after a meeting in Washington. Widespread fears of a global recession caused Asian, European and US markets to tumble on Friday despite rate cuts and cash inj ...
11/10/2008

Free meal plan for Scots pupils
Events
All pupils will receive free meals in the first three years of primary school, the Scottish Government has announced. The move follows a year-long £5m pilot scheme in Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire, East Ayrshire, Fife and the Borders. That schem ...
02/10/2008

Irish economy goes into recession
Events
The Irish Republic's economy has fallen into recession after shrinking for a second quarter in succession. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) said gross domestic product (GDP) had contracted by 0.5% in the three months to the end of June. The ...
25/09/2008

Horses for divorces
Events
A divorcee has been awarded £50,000 a year maintenance - to keep her horses in the manner to which they have become accustomed. What does this mean for tug-of-love battles over the family pet, asks solicitor Kathy Pinney. Divorcing your partner ...
23/09/2008

'Alcohol damaged my adopted child'
Events
By Jane Elliott Health reporter, BBC News When Julia Brown adopted, she was aware that her new baby daughter had problems. For several years medics went through possible diagnoses. The suggestions included autism, attention deficit hype ...
13/09/2008

Pitt and Clooney at Venice debut
Events
The Venice Film Festival has opened with the premiere of the Coen brothers' dark comedy Burn After Reading. The film, starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, is showing out of the competition at the annual event. Before the screening, the stars ...
29/08/2008

Beijing, over and out - follow that, London!
Events
With one spontaneous gesture, a nervous tic really, Boris Johnson signalled exactly how London should attempt to follow the glitz and grandeur of the Beijing Olympics: don't even try. The London mayor's comedy salute as he set foot on the red carp ...
25/08/2008

UK economy comes to a standstill
Events
UK economic growth ground to a halt between April and June, according to the latest official figures. The Office for National Statistics said the economy stalled, showing no growth from the first quarter of 2008. It ends a run of more than 15 y ...
22/08/2008

Golden weekend for Team GB
Events
London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe has promised some "big British moments" this weekend, so where can Brits expect to rock the Olympic boat? There are no fewer than 64 gold medals, and 192 podium places in all, available at the Games across the tw ...
16/08/2008

China Olympic ceremony star mimed
Events
A pretty girl who won national fame after singing at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games was only miming. Wearing a red dress and pigtails, Lin Miaoke charmed a worldwide audience with a rendition of "Ode to the Motherland". But the singe ...
12/08/2008