UNITED KINGDOM

There is a strong chance the United States and other leading economies will start growing again over the next few quarters, but big risks to the outlook remain, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Monday.

A defeated candidate in Iran's disputed election has said the Islamic system may face collapse unless it embraces change, in unusually blunt language from a prominent establishment figure.

Britain's largest gas retailer, Centrica, faced a setback in its battle to take over Venture Production on Monday, when the North Sea gas producer's two largest investors backed management's rejection of the $2 billion bid.

Earnings season continues, Oil forum, Treasury budget

The 20th World Oil Forum 2009 kicks off from July 13-15 in London, UK where world oil and gas executives will meet to focus on critical matters of the industry . The conference Growth Opportunities in the New PV Market: Projects, Finance and Policy will be held in San Francisco. British oil and gas firm Emerald Energy Plc confirmed today a third party is interested in a take over.

England is set to miss its target to generate 10 percent of its power from renewable sources, such as wind, the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) said on Monday.

The British government will set out a route map on Wednesday showing how it plans to meet its 2020 target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 34 percent compared to 1990 levels, a minister said on Sunday.

The chief executive of North Sea gas producer Venture Production said its shareholders were looking for significantly in excess of the 845 pence a share takeover offer made by Centrica Friday.

An opposition blogger in Azerbaijan has been remanded in custody pending trial on hooliganism charges, prompting protests from his employer, oil major BP Plc, a media rights group said on its website.

Britain's largest gas retailer, Centrica Plc, which operates under the British Gas brand, made a $2 billion bid for North Sea gas producer Venture Production Plc on Friday as it seeks to increase its gas reserves.

The British newspaper arm of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp denied on Friday allegations its journalists had hacked into the phones of thousands of public figures, following days of damning headlines.

Property investors are turning to the student accommodation sector as a would-be phoenix rising from the ashes of the UK real estate market, promising growth in returns and size for at least the next few years.

Anglo American Plc appointed veteran industrialist John Parker as chairman on Friday, moving to bolster its leadership as it seeks to fend off an unwanted merger proposal by rival Xstrata Plc .

Fourteen Britons who had contracted H1N1 flu have died and the rapid spread of infection in two areas of the country is close to epidemic level, health officials said on Thursday.

The Bank of England cut the pace at which it pumps money into Britain's economy on Thursday after unexpectedly deciding not to expand its 125 billion pound ($204 billion) asset buying scheme, raising fears it may stop purchases completely.

Michael Jackson's tear jerking memorial was watched by over 31.1 million people across 18 U.S. TV networks and cable outlets, less than Obama's inauguration but about the same as 'American Idol'.

The U.S. military on Thursday handed over to Iraqi authorities five Iranian officials it had detained in Iraq, and they would be transferred to Tehran shortly, Iraqi and Iranian officials said.

Iran will not back down even one step over its nuclear work, a senior adviser to the country's top authority said in remarks published on Thursday, making clear Tehran's continued defiance in a row with the West.

U.S. President Barack Obama said at the G8 summit on Thursday there is still time to close the gap with developing powers on climate change, after the U.N. chief criticised the G8 for not going hard enough.

The Bank of England decided on Thursday to stick to its program of pumping 125 billion pounds into the economy, defying expectations it would expand its bond purchases and boosting fears it may be about to end the scheme.

Leaders of the world's richest nations and major developing powers meet on Thursday to seek common ground on global warming and international trade, with the poorer countries seeking concessions.