Other UK News In Brief

BA Flies On

British Airways (BA) has operated more than 60% of its long-haul programme and more than 50% of short-haul flights from Heathrow, while services from Gatwick and London City ran as normal during the cabin staff strike this week. Worldwide the airline said it ran some sort of service to 85% of its long-haul destinations and 100% of its short-haul destinations. More than 60,000 customers will travel with BA every day this week despite the industrial action, BA added. However, the airline axed three of its Heathrow-to-New York flights on Monday and also cancelled one of its two Heathrow-Miami services.

PM Hosts Cricketers

England's world-beating Twenty20 cricket team has visited Number 10 for a reception celebrating their success. Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed team members including captain Paul Collingwood and player-of-the-tournament Kevin Pietersen to Downing Street. England won the ICC World Twenty20 for the first time earlier this month after beating Australia in the final in Barbados.

M&S Profits Modest

Marks & Spencer is said to be "cautious about the outlook" ahead of the latest tax rises, as it posted a smaller rise in annual profit than most of its major rivals. M&S said on Tuesday it was taking market share in clothing and had made a satisfactory start to its new financial year. But analysts want to hear how new chief executive Marc Bolland plans to revive the group's upmarket food business and take the fight to fast-growing clothing discounters like Primark, and Marks & Spencer said he would not outline his initial findings until interim results in November.

Stung Duchess Rewarded

Despite weekend scandal, the Duchess of York has collected an award for her work with disadvantaged children in Los Angeles. Her accolade came in the wake of being caught in a newspaper sting in Britain and after Sarah Ferguson admitted her finances are "under stress" after she was secretly filmed appearing to offer access to Prince Andrew in return for £500,000. She has since apologised for what she called a "serious lapse in judgement" over the controversy. But Ferguson has received support from TV guru Simon Cowell, who was also attending the star-studded event organised by Variety International. However, the Duchess made a low-key entrance, shunning the red carpet to duck in through a side door.

(BMcC/GK)