UK News: 1000 prisoners on run since licences revoked

Almost 1000 released prisoners, including 30 killers and rapists, who should have been sent back to jail are at large, figures showed today.

More than a third of the 954 criminals who have had their licences revoked have been on the run for more than five years.

Almost 119,000 prisoners have been recalled since 1984.

Aircraft carrier cost rises

The firms building the Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers say the cost has risen by at least 1 billion and possibly almost 2bn. This could push the final cost to about 7bn - from the agreed 5.2bn. Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the government would take a "fairly stiff view" of any costs increase.

Two feared dead after plane crashes into lake

Two people are feared to have died after a light aircraft crashed into a lake in Essex.

Emergency services were called by a member of the public to the lake at Ulting Lane, Langford near Maldon, shortly before 1pm yesterday.

The two-seater aircraft appeared to have nose-dived into the lake. Police said it appeared the pilot and passenger had not survived.

Teams from the Essex Police marine unit and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service have been searching the private lake.

Raids 'disproportionate'

Raids on three suspected London squats ahead of the royal wedding were "disproportionate", a Labour MP has claimed. John McDonnell, who represents Hayes and Harlington in west London said the raids seemed to be "some form of pre-emptive strike" before the ceremony.

Twenty people were arrested in Hackney, Camberwell and Sipson on Thursday.

Rooney considers legal step

Wayne Rooney is considering taking legal action against the News of the World for breach of privacy after Scotland Yard detectives warned him he may have been targeted by Glenn Mulcaire, the private investigator who was on the paper's books.

London: Rescue teams have been searching for a man who disappeared when he went swimming in the River Thames. Onlookers saw the man disappear below the surface of the water in Kingston, south-west London, at about 5.30pm last night. Two lifeboats were launched in the search for the swimmer.

Kent: A Conservative election candidate who resigned from the party after referring to local women as "sluts" has said his comments were "immature". Payam Tamiz, 21, was due to stand for election to Thanet District Council's Salmestone ward in Margate on May 5.