Chancellor George Osborne defends government plans to change the planning system in England, saying they are "key to our economic recovery".

Residents of rural England receive less government funding and pay more council tax than their urban counterparts, a study suggests.

An inquest into the death of gunman Raoul Moat, who shot three people before dying after a stand-off with police, is due to start in Newcastle later.

Ex-French President Jacques Chirac is due to go on trial on corruption charges, but claims that his memory is failing cast doubt on the case.

Officers should wear uniforms on their way to work to increase police visibility and help reassure the public, a report by a think tank says.

The Metropolitan Police are to deploy 1,000 officers to protect children from being robbed on their way to school in London.

Samsung Electronics decides not to promote its new tablet computer at the IFA electronics show after sales were blocked in Germany.

Iceland's ex-Prime Minister Geir Haarde will face court charges of "failures of ministerial responsibility" in his handling of the 2008 financial crisis.