UK news: Rupert Murdoch to challenge 'total lies' about empire

A DEFIANT Rupert Murdoch has said he will challenge the "total lies" issued about his News Corporation media empire in the phone hacking scandal when he appears before MPs next week. He earlier agreed to give evidence to the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Tuesday.

Journalists strike at BBC

BBC journalists are taking part in a 24-hour strike in a row over job losses which has hit radio and TV programmes.

Picket lines were mounted from midnight outside studios and offices across the country, with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) predicting a "solid response" to the walkout..

Police work to identify men killed in explosion

POLICE are working to identify five men killed in an explosion inside an industrial unit which has been linked to the production of illegal alcohol.

The victims, believed to be eastern European, died after the blast in Boston, Lincolnshire, on Wednesday night, while a sixth suffered 75 per cent burns.

Investigators yesterday revealed they had discovered evidence that suggested the small industrial unit was being used as an illegal distillery.

RBS to lose less on loans

THE government's Asset Protection Agency has cut the amount it expects Royal Bank of Scotland to lose on loans insured by the taxpayer from 57 billion to 45bn.

The APA also said the UK Government was on track to receive a significant profit from the scheme. Improved market conditions and the passage of time had significantly reduced the risk to HM Treasury as an insurer.

BBC to screen Harrison film

DIRECTOR Martin Scorsese's film profile of former Beatles star George Harrison is to be screened on BBC2 later this year.

Living In The Material World will be screened in November to coincide with the tenth anniversary of Harrison's death.

Stockport: The deaths of two hospital patients who died after their medication was "interfered with" are being investigated by police.

Officers were called in after staff discovered vials of saline had been contaminated at Stepping Hill Hospital.

London: Seven people have been taken to hospital following a fire at a high-rise block of flats in South London.

Emergency services were called to Salamanca Place, in Lambeth, at 2.53am after the blaze broke out on the fourth floor of the 17-storey towerblock.

More than 100 residents were evacuated.