North Korea missile tests defy UN North Korea test-fires seven short-range missiles in an apparent act of defiance on America's Independence Day. Burma junta leader snubs UN chief Burma's military ruler refuses to let visiting UN chief Ban Ki-moon meet jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. BT offers holidays for pay cuts Phone giant BT offers staff the chance of long holidays in return for a big pay cut, in a bid to cut costs during the downturn. UK investigates Iran charge claim The British Foreign Office says it is trying to verify reports that one of its embassy employees held in Iran has been charged. Chechen police die in Ingushetia Nine Chechen police are killed in Russia's volatile republic of Ingushetia in one of the deadliest attacks in recent months.