Today's Top News Stories from the BBC News service

UK Lt Colonel dies in Afghanistan
The highest ranking Army officer to be killed since the Falklands War is one of the two latest casualties in Afghanistan.

Patient safety 'still threatened'
Changes recommended after a fatal drug slip-up eight years ago have not been implemented, MPs say in a review of patient safety.

School place 'fraud' case dropped
A London council withdraws its action against a mother it accused of lying to gain a school place.

Pardon appeal for Shields refused
Justice Secretary Jack Straw provisionally refuses an appeal for a pardon for jailed Liverpool football fan Michael Shields.

Minister in Tory homophobia claim
Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw angers Tories by saying "a deep strain of homophobia still exists on the Conservative benches".