Funding for counter-terrorism operations looks likely to be protected in the Government's forthcoming spending review, after Chancellor George Osborne vowed he would not do anything to endanger Britain's security at home or abroad.

Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain would be "absolutely resolute" in the face of extremism Thursday, as he vowed that security services will not rest until they track down those responsible for the brutal hacking death of a British soldier in London.

Hundreds of millions of pounds from the education and health budgets could be used to protect the Armed Forces from Treasury spending cuts, it has emerged.

The shooting outside the Italian prime minister's office on Sunday could not be described as terrorism although the bitter political climate of the past few months has increased tensions, the mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno said.

British police are reviewing security plans for Sunday's London Marathon, the next major international marathon, because of the bombs that killed two people at the race in Boston. But there is no known specific or credible threat against the hugely popular British race at the moment, a security official said on Monday.

Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of General Sir Nicholas Houghton to take over from General Sir David Richards as the next Chief of the Defence Staff.

Britain’s security services have increased preparations to deal with a possible terrorist attack in the UK using biological weapons, Financial Times reports. The UK is increasing stocks of medical supplies and boosting emergency planning.