UK News: Police chiefs quizzed over phone hacking

SENIOR police chiefs faced questions over the phone hacking scandal today as two MPs called for Assistant Commissioner John Yates to resign amid accusations he repeatedly lied to parliament.

He assessed the initial investigation into phone hacking in 2009 but ruled there was no further evidence.

Seven officers hurt in riot

AT least seven police officers have been injured after coming under attack by rioters in west Belfast.

Petrol bombs and missiles were thrown at officers as trouble flared throughout the night, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.

A bus was also hijacked and driven at a police cordon.

More than third of English unis to charge fees of 9k

MORE than a third of English universities have been granted permission to charge fees of 9000 as standard from 2012, it was confirmed today.

Students starting degree courses next year face average tuition fees of almost 8500.

Overall, almost three fifths of universities will charge the maximum 9000 for at least one of their undergraduate courses. University fee levels for next year were released today by the Office for Fair Access.

Smoking risks birth defects

SMOKING while pregnant significantly increases the risk of serious birth defects, according to a new report.

Scientists examined 172 research papers published in the last 50 years to carry out the first comprehensive review of the physical effects of tobacco on newborn babies.

They found that smoking while pregnant increased the risk of missing or deformed limbs by 26 per cent.

Couple to keep low profile

THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are to go "under the radar" and keep a low profile for the rest of the year as they adapt to married life, St James's Palace said.

William and Kate want to spend quality time together as husband and wife in the run-up to Christmas.

County Durham: Post-mortem examinations were due to take place today on a man and a woman who were found dead in the living room of a house. James McAndrew, 51, and Helen Swan, 36, were discovered in Blackhill, County Durham, shortly after midnight yesterday and police are treating their deaths as unexplained.

London: London has one of the highest cost-of-living levels among world cities, a new survey has revealed. The UK capital was the 18th most expensive city for expatriates in a survey of 214 cities worldwide compiled by consultants Mercer.