UK News: MI5 chief warns of Somali terror threat

A "SIGNIFICANT number" of British residents have been traced to al-Qaida-linked training camps in Somalia, the head of the MI5 has disclosed.

Jonathan Evans warned the state has characteristics which made Afghanistan a "seedbed for terrorism", adding it may be "a matter of time" before it resulted in terrorist attacks.

Pakistani politician killed

AN exiled Pakistani politician has been murdered outside his home in north London, his party leaders said.

Imran Farooq, a senior member of the MQM party, was attacked in Green Lane, Edgware, yesterday afternoon. Police said he died after suffering multiple stab wounds and head injuries.

Early years support 'vital when tackling poverty'

Government action to tackle poverty should focus on supporting children during the first five years of their lives, the Labour MP commissioned by David Cameron to carry out a review of the issue said.

Former welfare minister Frank Field said that attainment by the age of five matters as much, if not more than, what happens in school, with children with poor development at that age more than six times as likely to end up with no worthwhile qualifications.

Claim over arthritis drugs

SUPPLEMENTS taken by millions of arthritis sufferers do not work, experts said today.

Now experts have carried out a study which shows that Glucosamine and chondroitin do not work, although they said patients will not suffer harm if they take them.

The research was published today in the British Medical Journal.

Walliams up for book prize

Little Britain star David Walliams has been nominated for a top children's book prize for a second year running.

The comic's latest kid's title Mr Stink is in the running for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, which is awarded to humorous tales.

London: The result of a ballot for strike action involving thousands of firefighters was due today amid an escalating row over new contracts.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union in London have been voting on whether to take industrial action short of a strike.

Salford: Two teenagers are on the run from police today after escaping from a secure unit while taking a cycling proficiency test.

Police said the 13 and 14-year-olds, both serving custodial sentences at the Barton Moss Secure Unit, cycled away on Wednesday.