Universities dismiss new top A-level as unfair

Leading universities are shunning the new A-level A* grade fearing it will affect the number of students they admit from state schools

Which Christmas are you having?

Do you spend to forget or are you a Womble? Here are different approaches to the festive season

Family of ‘orgasm’ doctor in plea for law reform

The family of a gynaecologist falsely accused of sexual assault has called for law reforms to protect the reputations of innocent defendants

Comedy clubs to reopen after ditching £100m debt

Jongleurs, the chain of comedy clubs that went bust, is to re-open under a different name after its owners ditched £100m of debts

Brussels rules cost UK £18bn a year

The cost of EU regulations on working hours and limits on noise levels is costing Britain more than £18 billion a year

News in brief

City manager Hughes fired | Agencies ‘failed’ Child C | Holiday company collapses

Wonder sweetie to end wrinkles

Scientists have designed a sugar-coated tablet that has been shown in trials to bring a dramatic slowdown in ageing of the skin

It’s only you Brits who don’t appreciate me, insists Blair

Tony Blair has hit back defiantly at his British critics, insisting that he is appreciated overseas much more than at home

Helmand blast kills British soldier

A British soldier, from 2nd Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, has been killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in Afghanistan

Alcohol now costs less than water

Supermarkets have been accused of encouraging binge drinking by continuing to sell alcohol more cheaply than bottled water

Israel ministers to boycott UK over arrest row

Israel has ordered its ministers not to visit Britain until a new law is introduced allowing them to enter the country without fear of arrest

Who's a pretty dead boy? Parakeets to be shot

Ring-necked parakeets have become such a threat to native species that the public is to be allowed to shoot them

Equality chief threatens BBC after ‘kill gays’ debate

The broadcaster’s ‘irresponsible’ handling of a discussion on its website could lead to legal sanctions

Mellor alleges fraud at 'Palace of the Arts'

A renowned Bond Street antique dealer is being sued by the former Tory minister David Mellor over alleged fakes

BBC bows to age rage and brings back mature women

Fiona Armstrong is one of three middle-aged women being hired by the BBC to counter claims of ageism

Age of the amateur with 15 minutes of fame

The nobodies of the Noughties made all the news, whether they were reality TV stars or two-bit terrorists on the Tube

Noughties timeline: Events of the decade

Some of the top stories from 2000 to today

Britain's booming party is truly over

The decade has seen Britain go from ailing to booming to nearly bust. A new poll shows it has left us feeling less secure