BBC News | UK | World Edition Get the latest BBC News: breaking news, features, analysis and debate plus audio and video content from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. High-speed rail plans announced Plans for a new rail line capable of carrying trains of up to 250mph between London and Birmingham are announced by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis. Four due in court over expenses Three Labour MPs and a Tory peer are due in court later to face charges in relation to their expenses claims. Hamas release British journalist Hamas release a British journalist, Paul Martin, accused of spying and jailed for a month in the Gaza Strip, British officials say. Rail union workers vote to strike Network Rail maintenance workers vote in favour of strikes, bringing about the possibility of action over Easter. Failed 'mercy killing' wife dies A woman convicted of trying to kill her husband in what she said was a failed "mercy killing" dies in a Swiss clinic. John Lewis staff get £151m bonus Department store group John Lewis reports a 9.7% rise in annual profits to £306.6m as staff share a bumper bonus. Pakistan kidnap boy not released The Foreign Office says a five-year-old boy from Oldham kidnapped in Pakistan has not been released. Bosnian war leader granted bail Ex-Bosnian President Ejup Ganic, who faces war crimes allegations, has been given bail by London's High Court. Pink Floyd win EMI court battle EMI are no longer allowed to sell individual Pink Floyd tracks online, the High Court rules. Blue Peter dog retires after '98 dog years' of service Blue Peter dog Mabel, one of the show's longest-serving pets, is to retire after 14 years, it is announced. Food for thought: McDonald's offers work-based GCSE Teenagers who complete a period of work experience at McDonald's will be able to gain a qualification equivalent to a GCSE. Man Utd into Champions League quarters Wayne Rooney scores twice in another irresistible display as Manchester United ease into the Champions League quarter-finals at AC Milan's expense. Burnley 1-1 Stoke David Nugent's headed finish earns relegation-threatened Burnley their first point in five games in a scrappy encounter at Turf Moor. Pompey axe 85 jobs to cut costs Administrators at Portsmouth FC start to make employees redundant, with 85 people losing their jobs. Say what? School Report's definitive guide to teenage slang dot.Rory New skirmishes in war of Daily Mail v the internet Robert Peston New support for banks after the election? Chester wound up Why Cardiff and Southend could be next to disappear Afghan anxieties Why the UK fears politics and force are out of synch Farming future The dawning of the age of the agricultural automatons Police 'risk public confidence' Police failures to tackle anti-social behaviour risk public confidence, says the chief inspector of constabulary. Afghan criticisms unfair, PM says Gordon Brown labels as "unfair" criticisms over the timing of his weekend visit to British troops in Afghanistan. Flat deaths 'murder and suicide' Police believe the deaths of a man and a woman found with gunshot wounds in Hertfordshire may have been murder followed by suicide. Morrisons profit up on new stores The UK's fourth biggest supermarket group, Morrisons, reports a 30% rise in annual profits after it opens more stores. Union to consider BA strike dates Union leaders representing British Airways cabin crew will meet later to decide whether to announce dates for a strike. Fire destroys Shoreditch offices More than 100 firefighters tackle a major fire at a restaurant and office block in central London. Clegg seeks £10bn to cut deficit Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg calls for a £10bn "down payment" in the next financial year to help cut the UK's deficit. Hospital rap over medicine errors Too many patients in England and Wales are not getting their medicines in hospital, a safety watchdog says. Fire college 'failed fire safety' The UK Fire Service College failed to comply with fire safety laws when part of its own premises burnt down, the BBC learns. How do you recycle a jumbo jet? It can take 12 weeks and a lot of elbow grease, but planes are recycled when they are too old or not needed anymore. How is it done? Fatwa flashing Can a fatwa to counter a fatwa really work? Junk mail quiz Test yourself, now Royal Mail will no longer limit the stuff Failings over rapist father examined Failings by police and social services over two sisters raped by their father over many years is widely reported in Thursday's papers. Service to dedicate memorial wall The prime minister attends a service to rededicate the Basra Memorial Wall following its relocation to Staffordshire. Man collapses after 'youth abuse' A 64-year-old man is found dead outside his home in Hattersley after youths causing trouble are reported to police. Two rescued as fire destroys flat Two people are rescued from a first floor flat in the Ballysillan Road area of north Belfast which is destroyed in a fire. Salt mine extension to bring jobs Ten jobs are to be created after the approval of plans to extend Northern Ireland's only salt mine, the environment minister says. Pupil assault teacher wins appeal A Dundee teacher convicted of assaulting two pupils is given an absolute discharge after an appeal. Scotland's death rate falls by 3% The number of deaths in Scotland fell by more than 3% to 53,856 last year, the registrar general has announced. Life for stabbing friend in heart A judge tells a man he must serve at least 18 years for stabbing his friend in the heart in a street fight. Access to NHS dentists 'improves' A patients' group says access to NHS dentists in Wales has got better - as dental charges remain frozen for a fourth year.