UK News: Embassies overhaul plan to save £100m

BRITAIN is to build embassies in up to five more countries, but close dozens of other diplomatic outposts as part of a major cost-cutting drive, William Hague will announce today.

The Foreign Secretary was set to give MPs more details of how he hopes to slash around 100 million by 2013.

Terror trial for Olympics

AN anti-terrorism exercise was carried out at the London Olympics Village, police said.

The drill involved the Metropolitan Police, other emergency services and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).According to reports, live ammunition was fired as part of the exercise and the SAS was involved.

Nurses ready to fight for under-threat pensions

THE threat of widespread industrial unrest among public sector workers mounted today after a new study showed that three out of four nurses and midwives were prepared to take action to protect their pensions.

Unison said a survey of more than 2000 of its members showed that 73 per cent would take industrial action in protest at planned changes to their pension scheme and increased retirement age following the Hutton review.

Kate's 'lovely' outfit fear

KATE McCann has told of her fears that the "lovely" sight of her daughter Madeleine in a new outfit may have led to her kidnap. The doctor said certain images of Madeleine were forever etched in her mind, including a memory of the three-year-old in a peach smock top and shorts.

Mrs McCann bought the outfit especially for a family holiday in Portugal.

'Amazed' Horn gets gong

RECORD producer and musician Trevor Horn was set to collect his CBE from the Prince of Wales today at Buckingham Palace.

Horn, who masterminded the chart-topping single Relax, which was banned by the BBC, said he was "amazed" by his honour.

Lancashire: Footballer Gary Neville has welcomed a government decision to approve the building of his dream family home, set in an eco-friendly underground bunker and branded a "Teletubbies house". Plans to build the futuristic property on moorland between Bolton and Bury have been backed by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.

London: A school's decision to bar a 12-year-old pupil because of his hairstyle has come under challenge in a High Court test case. The unnamed boy was refused entry to a school in Harrow for having his hair in "cornrows".