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Retail sales down for second month

The high street suffered its worst performance for three years in April as retail sales fell for the second month in a row, figures show. Read

Report shows sickness absence costs

Sickness absence is costing manufacturing firms up to £610 million a year, with continued barriers to rehabilitating workers slowing up improvements, according to a new report. Read

Call to end national school tests

National school tests should be scrapped as the pressure to meet Government targets has denied children their right to a rounded education, say MPs. Read

UK 'ready to help quake-hit China'

Britain "stands ready" to help China deal with the aftermath of a powerful earthquake which has killed more than 8,700 people, Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said. Read

UK 'ready' to help quake-hit China

Britain "stands ready" to help China deal with the aftermath of a powerful earthquake which has killed more than 8,700 people, Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said. Read

More than 8,700 dead in China quake

A powerful earthquake toppled buildings, schools and a chemical plant in China, killing more than 8,700 people and trapping untold numbers in mounds of concrete, steel and earth. Read

MPs split in embryo research debate

Deep splits among MPs over embryo research were exposed as controversial legislation to extend its use were debated in the Commons. Read

Man dies after Oxford Street attack

A man has been stabbed to death in Oxford Street, London, the Metropolitan Police said. Read

Murdered Jimmy remembered at school

The family and classmates of murdered 16-year-old "gentle giant" Jimmy Mizen remembered him on what would have been his last full day at school. Read

Teeth found in Jersey abuse probe

Police investigating decades of child abuse at a former Jersey children's home confirmed they have found bone fragments and five teeth in a secret underground chamber. Read

8,500 dead as earthquake hits China

A massive earthquake has toppled buildings across a wide area of central China, killing more than 8,533 people, trapping hundreds of students under the rubble of schools and spilling ammonia from a chemical plant. Read

Brown defiant amid fresh criticisms

Downing Street has insisted that Gordon Brown is confident of leading Labour into the next general election after the party's chief tax rebel urged him to consider his position. Read

Child remains found in toy boxes

The remains of two small children were found in toy boxes at the home of an elderly woman who died two years ago, police have said. Read

Cyprus death: Pair face extradition

Two British tourists convicted of involvement in the killing of a Cypriot teenager will face extradition proceedings soon, lawyers have said. Read

Radical cleric fighting extradition

The radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza has launched a High Court battle against extradition to the US to face terror charges. Read

PM urges 'unfettered' aid access

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has urged the Burmese authorities to give "unfettered access" to humanitarian agencies seeking to help survivors of the country's devastating cyclone. Read

Parents at Mass for killed teenager

The parents of murdered teenager Jimmy Mizen joined his classmates for a special Mass on what would have been his last full day at school. Read

Father defends embryology Bill

The father of a British boy treated for a rare blood disorder with stem cells from a so-called "saviour sibling" has defended the controversial test tube procedure. Read

Farepak chiefs may face legal probe

Farepak directors could face legal action over the collapse of the Christmas savings club, the Consumer Minister has suggested. Read

'5,000 feared dead in China quake'

Up to 5,000 people are feared dead in just one county hit by the huge earthquake that rocked central China. Read