News
Iran warns of 'painful' reply if Israel attacks
Iranian Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar was quoted on Tuesday as warning Israel of a "very painful" response if it launched a military strike over the Islamic Republic's disputed nuclear programme.
China quake torrent crashes downstream
Muddy lake water from a dangerously unstable "quake lake" rushed through the devastated Chinese town of Beichuan on Tuesday and quickly turned into a torrent, after soldiers used explosives to blow away rubble.
EU says guard up for problem Chinese goods
The European Union is keeping up its guard to stop substandard Chinese goods from entering the bloc even as China makes huge strides to nip the problem in the bud, a senior official said on Tuesday.
U.S. slowdown seen but no recession
Economists have trimmed forecasts for U.S. growth in the second half of this year and in 2009, but more have come to the view that the United States will dodge a recession, a survey released on Tuesday showed.
London tops list of global financial centres
London is the most influential financial centre in the world for the second year running, according to MasterCard's second annual survey.
Housing sentiment improves marginally in May
Sentiment in the housing market improved marginally in May, a survey showed on Tuesday, but prices continued to fall at close to their fastest rate in at least 30 years.
Retail sales post strong rise
Retail sales grew at their fastest pace in four months in May as warm, sunny weather encouraged consumers to splash out on new clothes and summer food and drink, a survey showed on Tuesday.
BBC journalist killed in Afghanistan
A BBC journalist working in Afghanistan's Helmand province was found dead Sunday, a day after he was kidnapped.
Prime Minister to celebrate projects that prove faith works
The Prime Minister and other senior government figures will pay tribute to Faithworks members who are bringing positive transformation to their communities across the UK, in a special event at 10 Downing Street this Thursday.
Mugabe hits out at Zimbabwe churches
The Harare offices of the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) were raided and five staff members were taken to the Harare Central Police station for questioning on Monday afternoon, reports Christian development agency Tearfund.
Government underestimates Church contribution to social welfare - report
A new report out today says there is a "significant lack of understanding" within Government of the Church of England's huge contribution to social welfare provision.
Dando accused was celebrity-fixated
A man obsessed with celebrities and female television personalities murdered the popular BBC presenter Jill Dando in an unprovoked killing almost a decade ago, a court was told on Monday.
Public sector workers threaten strikes over pay
Unions representing millions of public sector workers threatened strike action over pay on Monday, warning Prime Minister Gordon Brown current policies could herald defeat for his government at the next election.
Brown pays tribute to troops killed
Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute on Monday to British troops who have died in Afghanistan since 2001, after a blast which killed three paratroopers raised Britain's toll in the war to 100.
Iran leader says U.S. presence is Iraq's main problem
Iran's supreme leader told visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Monday that the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq was the biggest obstacle to its development as a united country.
Food and fuel supply fears as truckers strike
Spanish truck drivers blocked the border with France to all goods traffic on Monday as fuel price protests in Spain, France and Portugal raised fears of food and petrol shortages.