News

Man charged over Exeter restaurant blast

Police charged a man on Tuesday with possessing explosives and preparing a terrorist act after he was injured in a blast in the toilet of a restaurant in Exeter last month.

Permanent jobs placements fall again

Permanent job placements in Britain fell for the second month in May and vacancies grew at the slowest pace in five years, a survey showed on Wednesday, in a sign the weakening economy is now hitting the labour market.

Consumer mood sours further in May

Consumer confidence fell further in May as people got even gloomier about the current state of the economy, a survey showed on Wednesday.

Bird flu outbreak found in Oxfordshire

An outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed at a poultry farm in southern England although tests indicate it is not the virulent H5N1 strain, the farm ministry said on Tuesday.

Irish farmers back 'Yes' vote on EU treaty

Ireland's powerful farming lobby pledged on Tuesday to back the European Union reform treaty in a June 12 referendum, giving the government and pro-treaty parties a boost after opinion polls showed the "No" camp gaining ground.

Changes made to terrorism bill to win rebels

The Home Secretary offered concessions on Tuesday to try to save Prime Minister Gordon Brown from a parliamentary defeat over plans to extend the time limit for holding terrorism suspects without charge.

Obama looks to unify Democrats after historic win

After making history by capturing the Democratic nomination, Barack Obama turns on Wednesday to the task of unifying a fractured party for a five-month battle for the White House with Republican John McCain.

Summit draws up plan to 'eliminate hunger'

A U.N. global food crisis summit will draw up an emergency plan on Wednesday to mobilise aid, reduce trade barriers and invest in farming in poor countries to stop the spread of hunger threatening nearly one billion people.

Olmert talks tough on Iran's nuclear programme

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Tuesday Iran's nuclear programme must be stopped by "all possible means" and Tehran must be made to see it would suffer devastating repercussions if it pursued atomic weapons.

U.S. warships to leave Myanmar after aid refused

U.S. warships will soon leave waters near Myanmar after the ruling military junta refused permission for the delivery of aid supplies to the cyclone-stricken Irrawaddy delta, a top U.S. commander said on Wednesday.

Railway blast injures 18 in Sri Lanka

At least 18 people were injured in a blast by a railway track in the Sri Lankan capital on Wednesday, the military said.

Quake parents unbowed in pressing complaints

Grieving Chinese parents said on Wednesday they will press forward with protests against officials they blame for schools that toppled in a devastating earthquake a day after police sought to silence complaints.

Indonesian police detain militants for attacks on rally

Indonesian police said they had detained 57 members of a hardline Islamic group for questioning on Wednesday morning following an attack on an interfaith rally in Jakarta on Sunday.

Olmert talks tough on Iran's nuclear programme

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Tuesday Iran's nuclear programme must be stopped by "all possible means" and Tehran must be made to see it would suffer devastating repercussions if it pursued atomic weapons.

Assad says Israel must quit Syrian land

Israel must be prepared to return all Syrian lands occupied in the 1967 Middle East war as part of any peace deal between the two sides, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in remarks published on Tuesday.

More charged over Rhys Jones murder

Police investigating the murder of 11-year-old Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones charged two people on Tuesday with trying to pervert the course of justice and summonsed two others for the same offence.