Israel yesterday kicked off a massive five-day civil defence exercise aimed at testing the Jewish state's preparedness for rocket and chemical attacks. Israeli officials sought to reassure Syria and Lebanon that it has no plans to launch an attack.

The chairman of a congressional subcommittee said yesterday that it had uncovered significant problems with the device that was supposed to cut the oil flow after BP's oil rig exploded, creating a massive unchecked spill.

Firm allowed to drill without devising plan to cope with blow-out

There may be few indicators to the scale of the US oil slick from land, but from the air it is a different story

A commanding officer killed in hostile terrain in Afghanistan insisted on travelling in an exposed position in the lead vehicle of a routine patrol to inspire his men, an inquest heard today.

I wrote an article once," chuckled Julia, a driving instructor from Leicester. "It was called 'Watch Out, Autistic Drivers About!'." Did you know that autistic drivers are allowed on the road? I'm not sure I did, but then I'm not sure I'd ever thought about it. If I had, I suppose I would have assumed that they drove just like anyone else – why ever not? Though whether or not that is to underestimate the challenge faced by Julia's pupils is another question entirely.

Oil giant BP today said profits hit 5.6 billion US dollars (£3.6 billion) in the first three months of 2010 - more than double the level last year.

Complaints about tough training schedule ignore City's major tactical overhaul

Environmentalists outraged, but White House hopes decision will help get climate change bill through Senate

Desire Petroleum's shares slump after disappointing results from drilling tests

A police officer who was shot dead during a botched "cops and robbers" training exercise was unlawful killed, an inquest jury ruled today.

Step into sporty separates this spring – and to really go the distance, keep the look luxurious with leather embellishments, draped jersey and heeled trainers, writes Harriet Walker

Training of troops involved in an operation which led to the death of the first female British soldier in Afghanistan was inadequate, a coroner said today.

TV journalist of the year Alex Crawford on how she balances motherhood and the front line