UK news: Cameron to warn of 'immense' challenge

DAVID Cameron will warn today that the challenge facing the British economy is "immense" and requires a long-term "transformation".

The Prime Minister will stress again that he has no intention of easing the Government's deficit-reduction measures, saying there are "no shortcuts".

Parents of para hail unit

THE parents of a paratrooper who was hailed a hero after he died in Afghanistan while disobeying a direct order so he could help a wounded friend said they believe that anyone in his unit would have done the same.

The mother of Private Martin Bell, 24, said all his unit were heroes.

Police battle to control phone hacking scandal

SCOTLAND Yard was battling to stop the phone hacking scandal spiralling out of control today amid a storm of fresh revelations.

Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin pledged to leave "no stone unturned" as detectives restarted a "swift and robust" inquiry into the actions of staff at the News of the World.

He vigorously defended keeping the case closed for four years saying it was reopened in the light of "highly significant" new information.

Terror talks with US begin

ANTI-TERROR talks between the United States and the UK were set to take place today.

Plans to strengthen cyber, cargo and aviation security against terrorism and natural disasters were to be discussed in the private talks between Home Secretary Theresa May, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond and the US Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Fry collects honorary degree

STEPHEN Fry will collect an honorary degree today for campaigning for people with bipolar disorder, mental health problems and HIV and Aids.

The writer and broadcaster will join students from the University of Sussex for their winter graduation ceremony at the Brighton Dome.

London: The son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour has been charged with violent disorder and theft of a mannequin leg during a student fees protest. Charlie Gilmour, 21, was one of seven people charged last night by the Metropolitan Police as part of Operation Malone.

Kent: A critically-endangered silverback gorilla who walks like a man has become a big attraction at a wild animal park. Footage on YouTube of Western lowland gorilla Ambam aping humans with his walk at Port Lympne wild animal park near Hythe has been viewed more than 250,000 times.