UK news: Government quango hit list made public

GOVERNMENT ministers have reportedly drawn up a list of 177 taxpayer-funded bodies which will be abolished in a "bonfire of the quangos".

The Cabinet Office list includes the Health Protection Agency and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. A further four will be privatised and 129 merged.

Call to ban diabetes drug

A CONTROVERSIAL diabetes drug prescribed to more than 100,000 Britons should be withdrawn over fears it increases the chances of heart attacks and strokes, the European Medicines Agency said.

It said Avandia's benefits no longer outweighed its risks and marketing should be suspended.

Queen's appeal for heating grant rejected

THE Queen was refused an anti-poverty grant to help heat her palaces because Whitehall officials feared it would cause a public relations backlash.

In an effort to cut soaring bills, a senior aide wrote to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in 2004 to ask if the Queen would be eligible for cash from a 60 million energy-saving fund.

He complained that the cost of Royal utilities stood at 1m a year and the 15m government grant to maintain the palaces was inadequate.

HSBC chief to step down

HSBC chief executive Michael Geoghegan is to step down by the end of the year, it was reported today.

Mr Geoghegan is likely to be replaced by Stuart Gulliver, who is head of the group's investment banking operation.

Douglas Flint, the bank's finance director, is set to take over as chairman from Stephen Green, who quit to become Minister of Trade and Investment.

Britain 'will keep nukes'

BRITAIN gave the USA a direct promise that it will keep its nuclear deterrent and maintain special forces following the upcoming strategic defence and security review.

Defence Secretary Liam Fox, left, made the pledge in talks with US counterpart Robert Gates this week.

Anglesey: The funeral of MI6 code-breaker Gareth Williams was set to take place in Holyhead today. The 31-year-old's naked body was found in a holdall in a bath at his London flat on August 23. Scotland Yard is treating his death as "unexplained".

Birmingham: A former army physical training instructor is celebrating after running 100 marathons on consecutive days.

Mike Buss, who hopes to raise 100,000 for Help for Heroes, completed the challenge in Birmingham after notching up more than 2,600 miles on treadmills around England.