UK News: Extra £15bn added to borrowing figures

UK PUBLIC borrowing figures were today set to show a further slide into the red of around £15 billion last month as the government prepared to reveal its deficit-busting cuts.

Data from the Office for National Statistics was expected to show total borrowing for the first six months of the financial year pushed beyond 73bn.

Sick Thatcher in hospital

BARONESS Thatcher was undergoing tests in hospital today after failing to recover from flu.

The former prime minister was "in good spirits" despite doctors deciding last night that she needed to be admitted for assessment.

David Cameron wished her a "speedy recovery".

King hints at move to aid economic recovery

SPECULATION was mounting today about more money-boosting measures from the Bank of England after its governor Mervyn King said policymakers have a "potent weapon" to support the recovery.

Mr King warned there was too little money in the economy and fuelled hopes of further quantitative easing as he said monetary policy remained a powerful tool. Mr King said the amount of money in the economy as a whole was "barely growing at all".

Say cheers to booze gene

A GENE that helps drink go to your head has been discovered by scientists.

As well as providing a cheap night out, it is believed to protect against alcoholism.

Previous research has shown that people who react strongly to alcohol are less likely to become alcoholics.

The gene, CYP2E1, provides the coded instructions for making an enzyme that breaks down alcohol.

Alesha on song for Mobos

THE 15th annual Mobo awards will be held tonight, featuring a host of international stars.

The music of black origin ceremony will be held at Liverpool's Echo Arena and be presented by Strictly Come Dancing's Alesha Dixon, left, and DJ Reggie Yates.

London: Bunny girls will return to London after a 30-year absence when a new Playboy Club opens next year, Hugh Hefner said. The club is to stage a comeback at a new Mayfair location.

Lancashire: Two people were in custody today on suspicion of attempted murder after a care home fire.

The duo, a 17-year-old girl and a 27-year-old woman, were held after the blaze at Cleveleys Park rest home.

The fire, which detectives confirmed was intentionally started at 6pm on Monday, left a 96-year-old woman in a critical condition and injured five others.