Craig Taylor

The UK service sector records its fastest growth for almost a year, but recovery in the eurozone slows, closely-watched surveys suggest.
BBC News – Business

An Iranian man seeking asylum in Australia has been declared brain dead after an infected cut led to septicaemia, a refugee activist says.
BBC News – Middle East

Julio Ponce, chemicals billionaire and former son-in-law of Chile’s military ex ruler Gen Augusto Pinochet, is fined for illegal share trading.
BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean

Ukraine’s President Poroshenko says he has agreed with Russian President Putin in telephone talks on a “ceasefire process” for the east.
BBC News – Europe

The UK ‘will not waver’ in its aim of defeating terrorism, David Cameron says after the killing of a second US hostage and threats made against a British man.
BBC News – UK

President Obama says “justice will be served” on militants who beheaded journalist Steven Sotloff and vows the US will not be intimidated.
BBC News – US & Canada

Lesotho’s prime minister returns home after fleeing the mountain kingdom to neighbouring South Africa on Saturday, alleging there had been a coup.
BBC News – Africa

Premier League clubs have been on a player buying spree, with spending at £835m, as the end of the transfer window passes.
BBC News – Business

Iraqi Shia and Kurdish forces capture an Islamic State stronghold, as a BBC team enters Amerli the day after a two-month siege ends.
BBC News – Middle East

Spain returns to Colombia hundreds of indigenous artefacts that were seized from drug gangs in 2003, but later smuggled out of the country.
BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean

Russia has launched a ‘great war’ that could claim tens of thousands of lives, Ukraine’s defence ministry warns amid rebel offensive.
BBC News – Europe

The number of people struggling with payday loans has risen by 42% in the past year, according to the debt charity StepChange.
BBC News – UK

The White House says securing the release of three American citizens detained in North Korea is a “top priority”, after they appealed for help.
BBC News – US & Canada

The Nigerian army claims to have repelled an attack by Islamist militants Boko Haram on the town of Bama in the country’s north-east.
BBC News – Africa

Most British businesses want the UK to renegotiate its relationship with the EU, according to a British Chambers of Commerce survey.
BBC News – Business

Iraqi forces reach the besieged town of Amerli, where thousands of people have been trapped by jihadists, military officials say.
BBC News – Middle East

Leaders of five of El Salvador’s powerful gangs say they will stop attacking police and military in a bid to re-launch a gang truce agreed two years ago.
BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean

President Putin calls for talks on “statehood” for eastern Ukraine and says it is “impossible to predict” the end of the crisis.
BBC News – Europe

Police reject criticism of their search for a five-year-old boy with a brain tumour who was removed from a UK hospital by his parents against medical advice.
BBC News – UK

Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted into the National Football League, fails to make the final roster for the St Louis Rams.
BBC News – US & Canada