UK news: Clarke under pressure over rape remarks

JUSTICE Secretary Kenneth Clarke faced continued pressure today after sparking uproar by suggesting some rapes are more serious than others.

Under pressure from 10 Downing Street, Mr Clarke was forced to tour television studios to explain his remarks and he is due on tonight's Question Time.

Fare chance of rail value

THE government will today try to convince rail passengers and transport unions that a shake-up of railway costs will drive fares down, not up.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond was set to outline the response to a review from former Civil Aviation Authority chairman Sir Roy McNulty on rail value for money.

Traders cash in as firm makes market debut

SOME 500 paper multi-millionaires were set to be created today when commodities trader Glencore makes its debut on the London stock market.

The listing, the largest ever seen in London for a single company, is set to value the Swiss group's chief executive Ivan Glasenberg's personal stake at around 6 billion.

The group is currently owned by its 485 traders, who will earn an estimated average shares payout worth more than 61 million each.

Loans boost for business

A 2.5 billion fund launches today to provide loans to small and medium-sized businesses across the UK which have struggled to raise cash since the financial crisis.

The Business Growth Fund has been set up with the support of the UK's largest banks after they agreed to increase lending to small companies following the Operation Merlin talks with the government.

Judi's away with zombies

DAME Judi Dench is being lined up to appear in a costume-drama zombie film with Ian McKellen and Gillian Anderson.

The Curse Of The Buxom Strumpet is an extension of a 20-minute short film, E'gad Zombies, which premiered in Cannes last year.

Wrexham: A rail passenger attempted to board a train with his pony but station staff said "neigh".

The commuter arrived at the station in North Wales and tried to buy a ticket for himself and the animal for the service from Wrexham to Holyhead. The man eventually left the station with his pony when he was not allowed to board.

Surrey: Mourners lined the streets to pay their respects to former heavyweight boxing champion Sir Henry Cooper, who died at the age of 76 earlier this month. Fans travelled to Oxted to watch Sir Henry's cortege make its way to his funeral service.