It has been revealed this week  UK Border Agency had been downgrading immigration and visa checks.  The UK government is facing strong criticism following this and the Head of the Border Force, Brodie Clark, resigned over claims that staff were told to relax the checks made on non-EU nationals arriving in the UK. In July 2011, the UKBA began a minister-approved pilot program which resulted in fewer mandatory checks. Allegedly, border officials were then authorised to stop verifying fingerprints in visas given to non-EU nationals and abandon watch lists. Home Office Secretary, Theresa May admitted relaxing border controls on EU passengers.

Italian Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi finally agreed to resign on Tuesday evening, after the country's lower house of parliament approved, by a margin of 380 votes to 26, an urgently-needed package of economic reforms designed to tackle the country's €1.9 trillion debt and revive its sluggish economy . Berlusconi was Italy's longest-serving post-war prime minister, bringing to an end a tumultuous, 17-year political career which was marred by sex scandals, corruption allegations and gaffes on the international stage. There are now fears, however, that Italy will join Greece, Portugal and Ireland in needing a bailout, which would inevitably lead to catastrophe for the eurozone.

Boxing legend and champion, Joe Frazier died earlier this week, 67, of liver cancer. Frazier, also known as Smokin' Joe - had been receiving hospice care in Philadelphia after being diagnosed with cancer several weeks ago. The legendary fighter will be best remembered for being the first man to beat Muhammad Ali in New York in 1971.

Many memorials and services will be held today, as they have been throughout the week to honour the fallen. England captain Frank Lampard spoke about his immense pride of the Three Lions in wearing a poppy to honour the nation's war dead. Millions honoured Britain's fallen on Friday as the nation fell silent on 11.11.2011 at 11am, 93 years after the Armistice ended World War One.


References: www.bbcnews.co.uk
www.telegraph.co.uk
The Sun
Daily Mirror
BBC & ITV News Bulletin