europe s largest bell will ring to start a 27m olympic opening ceremony inspired by shakespeare and featuring nhs nurses and 900 local pupils

graphene often described as a miracle material can be used to distil alcohol according to a new study in the science journal

microscopic plastic debris from washing clothes is accumulating in the marine environment and could be entering the food chain a study warns

a european parliament rapporteur has stood down in protest as a controversial anti piracy agreement is signed by several countries

the social network and washington state sue a marketing firm over claims that it deceived users by hiding like buttons the firm denies the charge

just one in 15 pupils in england starting secondary school behind for their age gets five good gcses official data shows

an independent commission has been set up to examine the impact of increased tuition fees in england

a man who is almost completely paralysed has won the first step in his legal bid to pursue his right to die

more than 50 gps involved in the groups that will control have warned the nhs may be in peril if government changes are derailed

senior cleric john sentamu says the government should not overrule the bible when it comes to defining marriage

afghanistan s president hamid karzai thanks the british people for sacrificing blood and treasure for the future of his country

inappropriate spending cuts could strangle growth so austerity measures should be tailor made by each country the head of the imf warns