UK News: Subscription call to replace licence fee

The BBC should wind up its licence fee and become a voluntary subscription-based service, a report from the Adam Smith Institute said.

The report called the corporation "the UK's strongest media asset" but said that scrapping the fee would better equip the BBC to operate on the world stage.

Bomb suspect in court

A 52-YEAR-OLD man arrested after a suspected parcel bomb was sent to MI6's headquarters and a second was intercepted at a sorting office will appear in court today charged with drugs offences.

He was arrested on Friday morning in Caernarfon, North Wales.

Visa review ordered as student numbers soar

A REVIEW of student visas is to be conducted after numbers coming to the UK leapt by one-third last year to more than 300,000.

Official figures showed that the number of students coming to Britain from outside the EU to study increased by more than 75,000 in the 12 months to March.

Immigration minister Damian Green said a "thorough evaluation" of the system would be conducted over the coming months in order to minimise abuse.

Cloned cow's milk probe

The Food Standards Agency said it will investigate reports that milk from a cow produced from a cloned parent is on sale in Britain. It was reported today that a British dairy farmer admitted using milk from a cow bred from a clone as part of his daily production.

Under European law, foodstuffs produced from cloned animals must pass a safety evaluation.

Kidd walks down the aisle

Eighties stuntman Eddie Kidd managed to walk down the aisle for his wedding despite suffering devastating injuries in a bike crash 14 years ago.

The 51-year-old was helped out of his wheelchair to tie the knot with former actress Samantha Kirli.

Newcastle: The funeral of gunman Raoul Moat will take place today at the West Road Crematorium, less than a mile from his house.

It was believed his ashes would be scattered at a secret location. His family previously said Moat would be cremated to avoid ghouls paying homage at a grave to the ex-bouncer, who declared war on police.

London: Police today launched a four-week crackdown on troublemakers ahead of this year's Notting Hill Carnival.

Operation Razorback began targeting gangs who plan to use the carnival as a venue for violence and criminal activity.