News
Britain gives go-ahead for new aircraft carriers
Britain is set to sign a long-awaited 4 billion pound deal to build two aircraft carriers, which will be the Royal Navy's largest ever ships and which are set for 50 years of service.
East European migrants at three-year low
The number of Eastern Europeans flocking to Britain to work as fruit-pickers, plumbers and waiters is at its lowest since 2005, official figures show.
Agency staff to get equal rights after 12 weeks
The government agreed on Tuesday to give temporary workers the same rights as full-time staff after only 12 weeks in the job, in a deal likely to break years of deadlock over a European Union law on how long people may work.
Angry police back the right to strike
Front-line police officers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of seeking the right to strike, angered by the government's failure to backdate last year's pay rise.
Darling seeks to calm restive business over tax
Chancellor Alistair Darling will try to soothe business leaders' fears over the economy and higher taxes later on Tuesday, as concern grows that more firms could move their operations to more friendly climes.
Organics outlook rosy despite food inflation
British enthusiasm for organic food shows no sign of waning thanks to a loyal consumer base and a green image, despite rising food and fuel prices, the head of Britain's top organic association said in a recent interview.
Plans to store all e-mails and phone calls
A massive government database which would store everybody's e-mails, Internet information, phone-calls and text messages is being considered to help security forces in the fight against crime and terrorism.
Obama moves closer to presidential nomination
Barack Obama passed a major milestone to move within reach of the U.S. Democratic presidential nomination on Tuesday, but rival Hillary Clinton refused to surrender.
Rival Lebanese reach deal to end crisis
Rival Lebanese leaders reached a deal on Wednesday to end 18 months of political conflict that had pushed their country to the brink of a new civil war.
China quake focus shifting from rescue to relief
Heavy rain over southwest China on Wednesday is likely to interrupt relief efforts and raise the risk of reservoir breaches in earthquake-stricken areas, where tents have become the most-wanted item.
U.N.'s Ban heads for Asia on Burma aid mission
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon headed to southeast Asia on Wednesday on a mission to secure more help for cyclone victims in Burma, whose military rulers have finally granted an aid agency the use of helicopters to deliver supplies.
Georgia votes, opposition poised to cry foul
Georgians voted in a parliamentary election on Wednesday that the West says will be a test of President Mikheil Saakashvili's democratic credentials as he pushes for NATO membership.
Israeli strikes and raid kill 5 Palestinians
Israeli air strikes in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Tuesday killed a Palestinian youth and a farmer, medical workers said.
Somali gunmen kidnap aid workers
Somali gunmen stormed the office of an aid group and kidnapped two Italian aid workers and a Somali colleague on Wednesday, officials and residents said.
Radio station says Kazakhstan blocking website
Prague-based Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has accused Kazakhstan of blocking access to its website which it said was deliberate interference in its news reporting.
U.S. efforts to close Guantanamo at standstill-Gates
U.S. efforts to close the military-run prison at Guantanamo Bay have reached a standstill due to legal and practical problems, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday.