A weekly round-up of snippets from Westminster.

Doctors in Oxford are working on a neater alternative to the catheter for tens of thousands of people with bladder problems.

A look back at the life of film-maker, broadcaster and singer David Hammond who has died aged 79.

It is the final days for a Victorian seaside house, once a home of the girl who inspired Alice in Wonderland.

Carlos Sastre retains the yellow jersey as he concedes just 31 seconds to Cadel Evans on the penultimate stage of the 2008 Tour de France

A controversial new "right to die" card is being offered to the public that allows anyone to refuse treatment in a medical emergency. Who carries it, and why?

A farmer shows off his fascinating collection of jet aircraft cockpits that he stores in his farm buildings.

British men perceive themselves to be an average of 3.1 inches (7.9cm) slimmer around the waist than they really are, research shows.

Everton, Spurs, Rangers and Bolton progress to the last 16 of the Uefa Cup, with only Aberdeen crashing out.

The BBC's Jonah Fisher joins environmental campaigners Greenpeace on a ship chasing a Japanese whaling fleet.

As Coronation Street's Vera Duckworth prepares to leave Weatherfield, we look at some of British soap's notable matriarchs.

With eight classic Christmas songs back in the top 40 thanks to downloads, never has the new face of music retailing been so stark. But amid the high street gloom, there's some evidence that independent record shops are reviving.

Matt Frei, presenter of BBC World News America, looks at how US fears over Chinese products reflect broader tensions.

A long distance runner wins an annual five mile race while pushing his toddler son in a buggy.

One of Belfast's most famous faces can be seen again following a five month face-lift.

Did Hurricane Katrina silence New Orleans' music forever?

As price wars and downloads hit music sales, retailer Rough Trade is opening what it says is the country's biggest music-only shop.

Serena Williams defies injury to win on another rain-affected day at Wimbledon.

Serena Williams beats Alicia Molik in straight sets in the second round at Wimbledon.

A new breed of pop superstars is providing the soundtrack for millions of young Arabs, says the BBC's Sebastian Usher.