The new British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has today appointed Shaun Woodward as Northern Secretary.

The UK’s largest horse racing operator today confirmed it had been involved in talks regarding an industry-wide bid for state-owned bookmaker the Tote.

A horse-racing industry consortium has made a formal bid for the Tote, the British government-owned bookmaker, below its £400m (€594m) price tag, it was reported today.

Triple-jump world record holder Jonathan Edwards was today named as a key figure in the organisation that will stage the 2012 London Olympics.

The BBC has been ordered by the British government to redefine the role of its online services.

Pinewood Studios boss Michael Grade was today due to be named as the BBC’s new chairman, BBC News 24 reported.

Former Undertones star Feargal Sharkey is to lead a British Government task force to help the UK’s live music industry thrive and help up and coming acts, it was announced today.

Gambling support groups tonight blasted plans for a shake-up of the betting industry that could see casino ‘‘resorts’’ spring up across Britain.

The Football Association and the Government have ruled out further changes to the soccer programme to help the battle against foot-and-mouth disease unless there is new advice from veterinary experts.

UEFA have confirmed that next week's European matches will go ahead, despite the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.