London - The Bank of England Thursday slashed interest rates by a hefty one-and-a-half percentage points to 3 per cent in its most dramatic effort yet to soften the impact of a looming recession.

The shock cut decided by the bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MCP) followed calls from business leaders for a significant reduction in the key lending rate, but the maximum cut expected had been one percentage point.

Analysts said the decision underlined that as inflationary fears were receding, the risk of deflation was now emerging as a key threat.

London, November 6: Following the historic victory of Barack Obama in the US Presidential elections, Daniel Craig says the world should be prepared to see a ‘coloured 007’.

The 40-year-old, who was himself the target of much criticism for being the first ‘blonde Bond’, humoured the idea at a press conference before the Italian premier of his latest Bond film, ''Quantum of Solace''.

“After Barack Obama's victory I think we might have reached the moment for a coloured 007,” the Telegraph quoted him as telling the Agi news agency.

London - Liverpool will be hoping to regain top spot from Chelsea, for 24 hours at least, this weekend when they take on West Bromwich Albion in the latest round of fixtures in the English Premier League.

Rafael Benitez's side suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend when they went down 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur and laboured to a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in midweek.

But with Chelsea, who lead the table from Liverpool on goal difference, not in action until Sunday, the Anfield side know that three points will restore their place at the top and continue their impressive start to the season.

London, Nov 6 : Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton had an emotional homecoming at the McLaren headquarters where he expressed his gratitude to 1800 employee who contributed in shaping his future, and said he is not going to leave the F1 team.

“All of these trophies are your hard work. We’ve won together, we’ve lost together and now we are world champions,” The Telegraph quoted Hamilton, as saying.

London, Nov 6 : Hollywood actor John Travolta, who was shooting for upcoming flick ‘From Paris With Love’ at Les Bosquets de Montfermeil in Paris, had a close shave with terror after rioting youths torched ten of the production’s cars and threatened crew.

The crew was then moved to a different location.

The ‘Phenomenon’ actor, who plays a tough guy in the flick alongside Jonathan Rhys Meyers, is shooting for the flick at a quieter location.

“All 10 vehicles were burnt out and there were threats aimed at the crew,” the Daily Express quoted a production company spokesman, as saying.

“There’s no possibility of Mr Travolta or any of the other stars operating in such a dangerous area,” he added.

London, Nov 6: Sir Paul McCartney will be conferred with the title of ‘Ultimate Legend’ at tonight’s MTV Awards, it has emerged.

And U2's lead singer Bono has flown down to Liverpool to present the award to the ex-Beatle.

“Channel chiefs have been in a massive quandary as to who to present the award to Liverpool’s most famous son,” the Mirror quoted a source as saying.

“It is a first ever for MTV Europe to create a gong like this. It’s a one-off,” the source added.