A state of emergency is declared in Christchurch after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake strikes New Zealand's South Island, injuring two people seriously.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair tells the BBC that radical Islam is the greatest threat facing the world.

Senior Labour politicians urge fresh inquiries into phone hacking claims surrounding the News of the World newspaper.

Fidel Castro addresses a rally for the first time since handing the Cuban presidency to his brother Raul in 2006.

A UPS cargo plane crashes at an air force base shortly after take-off from Dubai airport, killing two crew members on board.

Detectives in Armagh have begun a murder inquiry after a man's body was found in the Castle Street area on Friday.

A Hare Krishna temple in Leicester was evacuated seconds before an explosion almost destroyed the building, it emerges.

BP removes the blowout preventer that failed to stem the leaking Gulf of Mexico oil well and says it has paid $8bn (£5.2bn) in damage costs.

In an attempt to reach people who do not normally go to the cinema, Shetland film festival is targeting their pets.

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake strikes New Zealand's South Island, causing widespread minor damage and power cuts.

Jermain Defoe scores a hat-trick as England get their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign off to a winning start against Bulgaria at Wembley.

Thousands of people watch Robbie Williams switch on Blackpool's illuminations.

Substitute Corry Evans scores with his first touch to give Northern Ireland a 1-0 win over Slovenia in the opening Euro 2012 qualifier in Maribor.

Police question the three Pakistan players accused of corruption, while the ICC says that trio implicated have a disciplinary case to answer.

Britain's Andy Murray overcomes the unorthodox style of Jamaica's Dustin Brown to reach the third round of the US Open.

The Brazilian state oil company, Petrobras, unveils plans to sell up to $64.5bn of new stock, in one of the world's largest share offers.

Scotland have to settle for a point as their Euro 2012 qualification campaign begins with frustration in Lithuania.

Metropolitan Police Authority member backs Welsh MP Chris Bryant on call for more information over tabloid newspaper's phone hacking claims.

Twelve football hooligans who took part in what a judge said was the worst destruction Manchester has suffered "since the Blitz" are sentenced.

Several "potential victims of human trafficking" have been rescued in raids on suspected brothels in Belfast, police say.