Dec
2008
Articles from 31st Dec 2008
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Focus on human beings - Archbishop
Dec 31 2008 | National News
The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned against focusing solely on economic woes as he described children and the most vulnerable as the "real treasure" and wealth of society. Read
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Marine killed in Afghanistan blast
Dec 31 2008 | National News
A Royal Marine has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said. Read
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Murder accused handed over to Iraq
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Two Iraqis accused of murdering two British soldiers have been handed over to the Baghdad government by UK forces in defiance of the European Court of Human Rights. Read
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Brown calls for Gaza ceasefire
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for an urgent ceasefire amid the "humanitarian crisis" in Gaza. Read
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Murder probe after M-way body find
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Police have launched a murder investigation after the discovery of a body on a motorway embankment. Read
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2009 revellers face freezing night
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Traditional outdoor New Year's Eve street parties are set to attract hundreds of thousands of revellers despite freezing conditions across Britain. Read
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Probe after human head found in bag
Dec 31 2008 | National News
A human head has been found in a bag by a woman while she was out walking. Read
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FTSE suffers worst ever performance
Dec 31 2008 | National News
London's blue chip share index closed 2008 with the worst annual performance in its 24-year history. Read
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Warning on private data 'hellhouse'
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Human rights campaigners launched a stinging attack on the Government amid reports private firms could soon access a "hellhouse" of personal information. Read
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Big Ben adjusted for 'leap' second
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Revellers will have an extra second to enjoy the New Year celebrations. Read
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Smith vows 'clear deal' on policing
Dec 31 2008 | National News
People are the best weapon in fighting crime, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said. Read
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Petrol prices at new low amid cuts
Dec 31 2008 | National News
The price of petrol continued to fall after supermarket Tesco cut 3p a litre from unleaded and diesel at its 430 petrol filling stations. Read
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Exam board wins Sats contract
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Exam board Edexcel has been awarded the one-year contract to deliver next year's Sats tests, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority confirmed. Read
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FTSE faces worst year since launch
Dec 31 2008 | National News
The FTSE 100 Index's worst ever year will be confirmed when the market closes after a disastrous 12 months for UK blue-chips. Read
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Dying man probe: Ambulancemen held
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Two ambulance workers were arrested on suspicion of neglecting a dying man after detectives were passed a tape recording of them in which they were allegedly heard discussing whether they should bother to revive him, it has been reported. Read
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Free parking at Scottish hospitals
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Patients in Scotland will no longer have to pay hospital car parking charges. Read
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Israel rejects Gaza ceasefire calls
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Israeli leaders have rejected an immediate 48-hour pause in fighting and will push ahead with the devastating air offensive against Hamas. Read
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Revellers set for chilly New Year
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Forecasters have warned that night-time temperatures will plunge below zero in many places on New Year's Eve. Read
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£7m UK aid amid call for Gaza truce
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Britain is putting 10 million dollars (£7m) towards emergency humanitarian aid in the crisis-stricken Gaza Strip, it has been announced. Read
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Dying man probe: Ambulance men held
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Two ambulance workers were arrested on suspicion of neglecting a dying man after detectives were passed a tape recording of them in which they were allegedly heard discussing whether they should bother to revive him, it has been reported. Read
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Newborn twin babies defy odds again
Dec 31 2008 | National News
A mixed-race couple who had one black and one white twin daughter seven years ago have defied the odds and done it again, it has been reported. Read
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Gerrard due back for training
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Football star Steven Gerrard is due back at training after being charged with assaulting a club DJ. Read
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Private firm may run 'spy' database
Dec 31 2008 | National News
A proposed communications database containing details of everybody's telephone calls, emails and internet use could be run by a private firm, it has been claimed. Read
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Examiners voice new Sats test fears
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Examiners have warned the Schools Secretary Ed Balls that there is "no guarantee" pupils will not see a repeat of delays for Sats test results again next year. Read
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Union fights against rail job cuts
Dec 31 2008 | National News
A leading union is to launch a New Year campaign aimed at halting plans to cut hundreds of rail jobs, warning that the move will leave stations unstaffed, it was announced. Read
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Public sector 'non-jobs' revealed
Dec 31 2008 | National News
A taxpayers' group has published a list of "non-jobs" - including a street football co-ordinator and head of participation and inclusion at salaries of up to £45,000 - to claim that the public sector was not tightening its belt in the economic downturn. Read
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Early Earth 'was covered in water'
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Earth was once a 'waterworld' much like the one depicted by Hollywood, scientists believe. Read
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New Year awards for sporting heroes
Dec 31 2008 | National News
Great Britain's golden year of sporting triumph has been celebrated with Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy, racing driver Lewis Hamilton and 14-year-old Paralympian Eleanor Simmonds among the superstars receiving awards in the New Year Honours List. Read
