WORLD POWERS WORK TO CRAFT SYRIA CEASEFIRE

A plan to begin a temporary ceasefire in Syria within a week is an "important step" towards ending the civil war in the country, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said.

Diplomats meeting at a summit in Munich agreed to seek a "nationwide cessation of hostilities" between Syrian government forces and rebel groups, US secretary of state John Kerry announced.

But it would not apply to extremist groups Islamic State (IS) and al-Nusra Front.

DAVID CAMERON TO LAY OUT EU REFORM 'WIDER AGENDA' CASE

David Cameron will spell out his case for reforming the European Union as he prepares for next week's crunch summit in Brussels.

The Prime Minister is expected to use an address to the annual St Matthew's Day banquet in Hamburg, Germany, to set out the "wider agenda" behind his renegotiation of Britain's EU membership.

It will be his final set piece speech on the issue before his meeting with the other EU leaders in the Belgian capital on February 18 and 19, knowing that he needs all 27 to back the deal hammered out with European Council president Donald Tusk.

HOSPITAL BOSSES: WE DIDN'T BACK FORCED DOCTORS CONTRACT

Hospital bosses have distanced themselves from suggestions they agreed to a new junior doctors contract being imposed after their names were linked to a letter Jeremy Hunt used to justify the decision.

The names of 20 NHS health trust bosses in England were attached to a letter from chief negotiator Sir David Dalton advising the Government to do "whatever it deems necessary" to break the deadlock with medics.

The Health Secretary cited their support when announcing his decision to force through changes to pay and conditions.

SIAN BLAKE MURDER: POLICE ARREST MAN AT HEATHROW

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the murders of ex-EastEnders actress Sian Blake and her two children, police said.

Arthur Simpson-Kent, 48, was detained by Metropolitan Police officers at Heathrow Airport after arriving on a flight from Ghana.

He has been taken to a west London police station.

ENGLAND PLAYER ADAM JOHNSON ON TRIAL OVER SEXUAL ACTIVITY WITH CHILD

England footballer Adam Johnson will go on trial later today accused of sexual activity with a child.

The 28-year-old former Sunderland winger pleaded guilty to grooming and sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl on Wednesday.

Sunderland announced his contract had been terminated on Thursday in a statement released just hours after his boot sponsor Adidas announced they had ended his deal.

(COURTS Johnson)

EX-PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYER MARCUS BENT COULD BE JAILED OVER AFFRAY AND COCAINE

Former Premier League footballer Marcus Bent faces a potential jail sentence today after he admitted affray and possession of cocaine.

The 37-year-old pleaded guilty at previous hearings at Guildford Crown Court to the charges which stemmed from an incident at his Surrey home on September 13 last year.

The ex-Everton, Ipswich and Charlton striker was reportedly Tasered by police responding to reports of a break-in at his home in Claremont Lane, Esher.

PENSIONERS CAN EXPECT TO LIVE LONGER THAN EVER, STUDY SHOWS

Life expectancy in old age in England has risen to its highest-ever level.

The length of time pensioners can expect to live once they reach milestones in old age, based on figures for 2014, has gone up since the previous year, a new report from Public Health England reveals.

Men who reach 65 can look forward to another 19 years, a rise of 0.3 years on 2013, and can expect 12 years at 75, six years at 85 and three years at age 95.

PRISON SUICIDES COST TAXPAYER UP TO £300M A YEAR - CHARITY

Prison suicides are costing the taxpayer up to £300 million a year, according to estimates by a penal reform charity.

Growing inmate numbers, overcrowding and staff cuts have fuelled a 46% rise in suicide rates over the last three years, according to the Howard League for Penal Reform.

It said public sector funding is being spent on dealing with the aftermath of the deaths when it could be used to prevent them.

YOUNGSTERS CHEWING SUGAR-FREE GUM 'COULD SAVE NHS £8.2M' IN DENTAL TREATMENTS

The NHS could save £8.2 million on dental treatments each year if all 12-year-olds chewed sugar-free gum after eating or drinking, a study suggests.

Research published in the British Dental Journal estimates the saving - equivalent to 364,000 dental check-ups - for chewing three pieces per day.

This is thanks to the role chewing gum plays in helping prevent tooth decay, researchers from the Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry said.

KIDS COMPANY FOUNDER DENIES 'MESMERISING' DAVID CAMERON

The founder of Kids Company has denied a claim she was able to "mesmerise" the Prime Minister and senior politicians in order to secure funding for the collapsed charity.

The youth organisation folded amid a storm of controversy last August - just days after receiving a £3 million government grant in a final bid to keep it afloat.

Camila Batmanghelidjh said she presented ministers with "robust" arguments and expected them to make their own decisions.