New students to face £26k degree debts

STUDENTS starting degree courses this autumn can expect to graduate with debts of £26,000, and this will double for those beginning university next year.

The annual Push Student Debt survey reveals that students joining university next month are likely to owe 26,100 when they finish their studies.

RED squirrels, hedgehogs and Scottish wildcats are among the British animals most under threat of extinction, according to a review of native wildlife.

Researchers have drawn up a list of the top ten species most in danger of extinction. The list also includes the cuckoo, natterjack toad and brown hare.

DEPRESSION may increase the chances of women having a stroke, research suggests.

A six-year study found that a history of depression increased the risk of stroke in post-menopausal women by 29 per cent.

Women who used common antidepressants such as Prozac had a 39 per cent higher risk, but scientists said they did not believe the drugs were to blame and urged women not to stop taking their medication. More than 80,000 were studied.

A MAN is in a critical condition following a blaze at a tower block that led to the evacuation of 150 residents.

The man, thought to be in his 40s, was rescued from a fire on the ninth floor of the 15-storey building in Wandsworth, south London, at around 12.35am today. He was pulled from the blaze by firefighters, before being taken to hospital suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

FILM director Michael Winner spoke of his joy after setting a date for his wedding - after seven decades as a bachelor.

Winner, who directed Marlon Brando and Charles Bronson, and girlfriend Geraldine Lynton-Edwards will marry on September 19.

London: Police are attempting to identify a man whose skeletal remains were discovered behind a bush by a dog walker. The remains are thought to have been left in the residential street in Peckham some time during the past week, although the man, said to be over 70 years old, died in unexplained circumstances at least six months ago, police said.

Leeds: Chinese Olympic officials have selected Leeds as the country's official training base ahead of the 2012 Games. Around 300 athletes, coaches and support staff will be based in the city as they acclimatise to English conditions.