Above-inflation rail fare increases have come into force in England, Wales and Scotland amid claims that fares are going up three times faster than average earnings.

It is unfair for benefits to rise at a faster rate than wages, the work and pensions secretary has said ahead of a key Commons vote on capping benefits.

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie feels he is "surrounded by champions" at the Old Trafford club.

A survey of small firms has found confidence remains low but this year promises to be a better one than the previous two years.

Markets in Europe gain after a short-term deal to stave off the so-called US fiscal cliff was reached, averting spending cuts and tax increases worth $600bn (£370bn).

A man is arrested after a 22-year-old British tourist was shot dead in Thailand on New Year's Eve.

Cases of the winter vomiting bug norovirus have exceeded 1.1 million, figures for England and Wales suggest.

Novak Djokovic's preparations for the Australian Open suffer a setback he loses to Bernard Tomic 6-4 6-4 at the Hopman Cup.