UK News: 'Sorry' to soldiers sacked via e-mail

THE Ministry of Defence has apologised after a reported 38 soldiers, including one serving on the front line in Afghanistan, were sacked by e-mail.

The men, all warrant officers, were told they were losing their jobs because "the army has to make significant cutbacks".

Shop vacancies soar

THE number of shop vacancies is continuing to rise, with experts predicting some high streets will never return to their pre-recession days.

Town centre vacancy rates rose from 12 per cent at the end of 2009 to 14.5 per cent at the end of 2010, according to research by the Local Data Company.

Pressure on King as inflation set to surge

PRESSURE is set to mount on the Bank of England today as inflation is expected to surge and trigger another letter of explanation from Governor Mervyn King.

After jumping to 3.7 per cent in December, analysts expect the inflation figures to show a rate of 4.1 per cent for January, as the recent VAT hike and soaring commodity costs pushed up the cost of living.

A further surge is likely to pile pressure on Mr King to consider lifting interest rates.

Cars 'running on empty'

AN increasing number of drivers are "running on empty" due to high fuel costs.

Breakdown service Green Flag reported a 40 per cent increase in its number of fuel-related call-outs in the second half of January, compared with the same period in December.

A survey showed that 48 per cent of drivers had been dangerously close to empty or broke down before reaching the pumps at some point.

Jazz great Shearing dies

BRITISH-born jazz great Sir George Shearing has died at the age of 91.

The pianist, who has been blind since birth, is noted for writing the standard Lullaby of Birdland, as well as leading his own quintet for decades.

Derby: A teenage cancer sufferer who is planning her own funeral says the decision not to prolong treatment has to be one that each person makes for themselves. Donna Shaw, 17, decided she would rather die in dignity than have further treatment to prolong her life after she was told her cancer was untreatable.

London: The Prince of Wales will be among the guests at a service of thanksgiving today to celebrate the life of opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland.

Tributes will be paid in Westminster Abbey to Dame Joan, one of the towering figures of 20th-century opera.