By Sean CoughlanBBC News education reporter

If universities in England are allowed to raise tuition fees, they must protect access for poorer applicants, says Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.
Lord Mandelson, who is now responsible for higher education, said universities must support both social mobility and academic excellence.
The "historic anti-elitism" in left-wing education policy is a "dead [...]

Actress Joanna Lumley is due to meet Nepal’s president later as she continues her visit to the country.
The presidential visit follows a triumphant arrival in Kathmandu where she was mobbed by hundreds of well-wishers and Gurkha veterans.
Ms Lumley was greeted with garlands of flowers, colourful scarves and signs that described her as a "goddess". [...]

A curfew has been imposed in the north-eastern Nigerian city of Bauchi, after violence on Sunday in which at least 39 people were killed.
A Red Cross official told the BBC the whole city was silent. He said no-one knew the exact number of dead, as the mortuary was being guarded by the army.
Officials said [...]

North Korea has again insisted it would not return to six-party talks aimed at dismantling its nuclear weapons programmes.
But it has hinted it was still open to some form of dialogue.
"There is a specific and reserved form of dialogue that can address the current situation," state media quoted a foreign ministry statement.
The note [...]

The US Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, is due to meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to discuss the stalled Middle East peace process.
He arrived in Cairo a day early at Mr Mubarak’s request, following talks in Syria and Israel.
In Tel Aviv, Mr Mitchell reassured Israeli officials of Washington’s unshakeable commitment to its security.
Relations [...]

The government has been accused of failing to develop a green economy for the 21st Century by its own outgoing adviser on sustainable development.
Sir Jonathon Porritt, who left his role at the weekend, criticised ministers on the environment and social justice, and for failing to protect UK prosperity.
He told BBC the biggest problems were [...]

The UK has the fourth-highest level of poverty among over 65’s in Europe, behind countries like Romania, European Commission figures have shown.
The figures show many pensioners here are living on incomes that are far below the national average.
The charity Age Concern and Help the Aged has called on ministers to act.
The figures come [...]

By Roger HarrabinEnvironment analyst, BBC News

Sir Jonathon Porritt, the government’s adviser on Sustainable Development, has delivered a damning critique of government failures on the economy, the environment and social justice.
As he leaves office Sir Jonathon accuses ministers and civil servants of failing to create a new economy fit for the 21st Century, of being stuck [...]

The rail franchise system is "a muddle" which allows train companies to "take advantage" of passengers and needs reform, a report by MPs has warned.
The Commons transport committee said operators were making profits in good times but forcing the government to step in when revenues fall.
It wants the government to offer longer franchises to [...]

The UK’s banks have insisted that lending to small firms is continuing to rise, as they are due to meet the chancellor to discuss the issue.
In its latest figures, the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) said total lending to small companies rose £366m in June, up from May’s £133m increase.
Alistair Darling said on Sunday he [...]