The greatest race of our lives 

In just 10 days 54,000 runners will be pounding the streets of Newcastle and Gateshead doing the Bupa Great North Run. Here three readers, all first timers, reveal their special reasons for running

Amazing pic of seal's very close encounter with a great white shark 

This seal was flippin’ lucky to escape the deadly jaws of a great white shark.

Coleen Rooney gets lawyers to find out what she's worth, but still wears wedding ring 

Coleen Rooney has ordered lawyers to go through her and husband Wayne’s finances – sparking fears she is preparing to end their marriage.

Digital Awards: You can help to find Britain's digital heroes 

The internet has been changing our lives for years but it isn’t just shopping and email that makes it such a force for good.

Wayne Rooney opens heart about vice girl sex shame as he tries to show Coleen he's sorry 

Wayne Rooney last night spoke of his shame over his romps with hookers and vowed to do anything he can to win back furious wife Coleen.

Planned 9/11 Koran burning scrapped 

A Florida minister who had created an international storm with his plan to burn the Koran on the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks has cancelled the event under intense pressure, saying he agreed to back off after reaching a deal to move the location of a controversial mosque near New York's Ground Zero.

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US pastor Terry Jones has called off "International Burn-a-Koran Day" 

The pastor who planned an "International Burn-a-Koran Day" on September 11 called off the protest tonight after his plans were widely condemned.

Planned 9-11 Koran burning scrapped 

The leader of a small Florida church that espouses anti-Islam philosophy has said he was cancelling plans to burn copies of the Koran on September 11.

Welfare budget 'faces £4bn cuts' 

Chancellor George Osborne has signalled a renewed crackdown on the "out of control" welfare budget - announcing further cuts of £4 billion would be made in the spending review this autumn.

New death linked to Legionnaires' 

A second pensioner has died of suspected Legionnaires' disease, health officials have confirmed.

Policing Pope visit may cost £1.5m 

The cost of policing the Pope's visit to Britain could reach £1.5 million, police chiefs have said.

Coleen Rooney pictured with her wedding ring ON as she opts for a dose of retail therapy 

Coleen Rooney kept the state of her marriage under wraps today as she opted for a dose of retail therapy.

Lansley denies NHS Direct closure 

The Health Secretary has been accused of a climbdown over plans to scrap NHS Direct.

Police reveal plans to protect Pope 

The Pope's visit to Britain will be met with an unprecedented police operation across the country, police chiefs have said.

Sleaze watchdog to probe hacking 

MPs have referred the News of the World phone-hacking row to the parliamentary sleaze watchdog for further investigation.

Obama wants Koran burning cancelled 

US President Barack Obama has urged a Florida pastor to "listen to those better angels" and call off his plan to engage in a Koran-burning protest this weekend.

Extraordinary picture as a cricket ball smashes the press box window at The County Ground 

Journalists may not be everyone’s favourite people but one Northamptonshire player seems to have taken exception.

Clegg warns over cuts backlash 

Nick Clegg has admitted that the coalition was likely to suffer a damaging backlash from the public over its efforts to tackle the deficit.

Marmite masterpieces: Artist uses toast as canvas for celebrity portraits of David Beckham and Stephen Fry 

A Welsh artist has created a series of portrait of celebrities using jam and marmite with toast as canvas.

Interest rate on hold for 18th time 

The Bank of England has maintained its emergency support for the economy by keeping interest rates at 0.5% for the 18th month in a row.

Tax repayment written off for many 

Nearly one million people who did not pay enough income tax have had their repayment demands written off, it has emerged.

Climbers get married on 40ft high rock formation 

Amateur climbers Jan Burian and Hana Kuglerova decided to tie themselves together for life by getting wed on a sandstone outcrop in Mseno, Czech republic. Let's just hope the marriage doesn't end up on the rocks...

Clegg urges quick probe on hacking 

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has urged the police to probe new phone-hacking allegations swirling around No 10 communications chief Andy Coulson "as quickly and thoroughly as possible".

BAE Systems axes almost 1,000 jobs 

Unions have reacted with shock after manufacturing giant BAE Systems announced plans to axe almost 1,000 jobs, mainly from its military division.

Immigration centres 'harm children' 

Children face psychological harm, violence and physical health problems in immigration detention centres, a medical charity has claimed.

Hugh Jackman makes cameo appearance in cancer sufferer's emotional video tribute to wife 

X-Men star Hugh Jackman has made a cameo appearance in an emotional video message from a cancer patient to his wife to thank her for her support through his illness.

Clegg: Recovery will be choppy 

Britain should be braced for a "choppy and uneven" recovery, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has warned - as a survey predicted the north of England would fare worst under Government spending cuts.

Aircraft carriers face cuts threat 

Doubts have been raised over whether the Government will press ahead with £5 billion plans for two new Royal Navy aircraft carriers amid drastic efforts to tackle the deficit.

Cameron tribute to 'amazing' father 

David Cameron has paid tribute to his "amazing" father Ian, saying he had "touched a lot of lives in lots of different ways".

David Cameron pays emotional tribute to his "amazing" father Ian 

David Cameron paid tribute to his "amazing" father Ian today, saying he had "touched a lot of lives in lots of different ways".