An extra £23 million a year of taxpayers' money should be used to fund political parties as part of an effort to clean up the system, a sleaze watchdog has recommended.
Fiona Bruce 'makes dumbing down an art'
She is the glamorous face of television news and a rising BBC star popping up on everything from Crimewatch to the Antiques Roadshow.
Lecturer arrested on suspicion of 'conspiracy to hack voicemail messages'
A former News of the World reporter who now works as a university lecturer was arrested today by detectives investigating the phone-hacking scandal.
'Cannibal killer' surrenders after manhunt
The suspected cannibal killer of a German adventurer on a South Sea island has given himself up after a 50-day manhunt by police and troops.
Lib Dem MP's Russian lover accused of being spy can stay in UK
The Russian mistress of a married MP today won her battle to stay in Britain after a tribunal ruled that she is not a spy - and said her relationship with Mike Hancock is "enduring and genuine".
Lloyds looks to lighten chief executive's workload
Lloyds is looking into how it can ease its chief executive's workload as it seeks to convince investors he will be able to make a successful return after taking medical leave, reports said today.
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Lewis claims back-to-back titles
Adrian Lewis retained his PDC World Darts Championships title with victory in this year's final at Alexandra Palace.
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Lewis claims back-to-back titles
Adrian Lewis retained his PDC World Darts Championships title with victory in this year's final at Alexandra Palace.
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Lewis claims back-to-back titles
Adrian Lewis retained his PDC World Darts Championships title with victory in this year's final at Alexandra Palace.
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A welcome curb on rip-off card charges
Ministers' plan to end excessive charges for consumers paying for goods and services by credit or debit cards is a welcome gift for 2012. There has been mounting public anger in recent years over the surcharges imposed by a range of companies when paying by card. The most notorious offenders have been some of the budget airlines, notably Ryanair, although the practice is now far more widespread than that. Indeed even the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency surcharges those who choose to pay their car tax online with a credit card. Under the new plans, from the end of next year it will be illegal for companies to charge in this way, on pain of substantial fines.
