Slimmer of the Year sheds 10 stone

9:35am Wednesday 7th January 2009

A woman who barely left her house in 20 years has won the Slimmer of the Year award after losing half her body weight.

Terror trials 'reduce threat to UK'

9:35am Wednesday 7th January 2009

The terrorist threat against Britain has reduced following a series of high-profile successes by the security services, the head of MI5 has said.

Three in court over arson deaths

9:35am Wednesday 7th January 2009

Three people, including a 14-year-old boy, will appear in court accused of murdering three men who died in an arson attack.

Big freeze worsens - to minus 12

9:35am Wednesday 7th January 2009

Temperatures plunged to nearly -12C (10.4F) across southern England after the coldest night of the country's freezing spell.

More rail chaos after power failure

9:35am Wednesday 7th January 2009

Rail passengers endured yet another morning of rush-hour misery after overhead cable problems halted all but a few trains into one of the UK's busiest stations.

Interest rate 'facing all-time low'

9:35am Wednesday 7th January 2009

The Bank of England begins a historic meeting later at which interest rates are all but certain to be slashed to an all-time low to combat worsening recession.

Sales of new cars slump

9:35am Wednesday 7th January 2009

New car sales slumped again last month, dragging total sales for 2008 down 11.3% compared with 2007.

Israel studies Gaza ceasefire plan

9:35am Wednesday 7th January 2009

Israel will study plans put forward by France and Egypt for a ceasefire in Gaza, President Shimon Peres has said.

Sir Alan 'target for extremists'

9:35am Wednesday 7th January 2009

Apprentice star Sir Alan Sugar has been said to be among a list of top British Jews thought to be targeted by extremists over Israel's Gaza onslaught.

M&S to axe more than 1,200 jobs

9:35am Wednesday 7th January 2009

Ailing high street giant Marks & Spencer unveiled its worst sales figures for almost a decade and plans to axe up to 1,230 jobs.