George Osborne warns against "self-defeating" increases to the minimum wage, amid reports that some cabinet ministers want an above-inflation rise.

Francis Maude says claims of a rift between two government departments over Universal Credit are "simply incorrect".

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie sacks an aide who allegedly orchestrated traffic mayhem to pursue a petty political vendetta, and apologises.

A porter at Northern Ireland's biggest A&E unit says he is "fed up watching our nurses cry" after a backlog of patients led to a 'major incident' being declared.

The health of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma since 2006, has deteriorated further, hospital officials say.

An Essex couple has double the trouble returning stolen goods to neighbours as both their cats take to a life of crime.

A Red Arrows pilot died when an ejection seat fired him into the air and he hit the ground with "tremendous" force, an inquest hears.

Pop acts Bastille and Disclosure lead the nominations at the 2014 Brit Awards, in a field that leans heavily towards new bands.