UK News: Disgraced hospital in new probe as twins die

The baby boys died 11 days ago at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire after being transferred from Stafford Hospital, which has been heavily criticised for appalling levels of care.

Woman impaled on branch

A WOMAN was impaled on a branch when a falling tree hit her car as high winds and torrential rain left a trail of damage and disruption across Britain.

Wind speeds in some parts topped 90mph, making it too dangerous for landing planes, felling trees and power cables and causing bridge closures.

Police under pressure over student clashes

POLICE chiefs were under pressure today to complete their probe into why senior officers failed to anticipate violent clashes during a student demonstration.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has appointed Commander Simon Pountain to oversee a "very quick internal review", which may be finalised today.

More than 40 officers were injured and 50 people arrested as a hard core of protesters occupied Tory HQ.

Wages worries remain

CONSUMER confidence stabilised during October but people remain worried about the future level of their pay, research indicated today. The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index dipped by one point during the month to stand at 52, its lowest level since March 2009.

The group said some of the decline was likely to have been caused by speculation over government cuts.

'Upset' over stoning call

NEWSPAPER columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown said she was "incredibly upset" by a Twitter message allegedly calling for her to be stoned to death.

Tory councillor Gareth Compton, left, was arrested over the posting on his private account, police said.

Salford: A brave pensioner smashed over the head with an axe by armed robbers thanked them for sparing his life - and told them to change their ways. The unnamed 66-year-old tried to protect a woman who was chased by the robbers into a Post Office to snatch her handbag.

London: A brother and sister who unearthed a Chinese vase in a clear-out of a suburban house were stunned when it sold for a world record-breaking 43 million. The 18th-century piece of Qianlong-era porcelain was expected to fetch between 800,000 and 1.2m when it went under the hammer.