Looming rises in petrol duty and VAT are set to push petrol prices even higher than their current record levels.

The US, UK and Germany deplore the sentencing of former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky to six more years in jail for fraud.

World Cup final referee Howard Webb and Ryder Cup hero Graeme McDowell are both awarded MBEs in the New Year Honours List while former England rugby player Mike Catt gets an OBE.

A Nasa astronaut, a beekeeper and a World Cup football referee are among those in England recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Singer Annie Lennox is among stars recognised in the New Year Honours, along with actors David Suchet and Sheila Hancock and BA chairman Martin Broughton.

Kevin Pietersen believes the actions that saw him lose the captaincy were key to England retaining the Ashes.

The spiralling cost of caring for dementia patients in the UK is to be the subject of a major inquiry by MPs and peers.

Former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern announces that he will not be standing in the Republic's forthcoming election.