News
Vatican envoy praises religious peace in Belarus
A senior Vatican envoy praised good relations between different faiths in Belarus on Thursday at the start of a visit which could help smooth the ex-Soviet state's turbulent relations with the West.
Alive and Kicking campaigns against liberalisation of abortion law
As abortion figures in England and Wales hit a record high on Thursday, the Alive and Kicking Alliance called on Parliament to reject attempts to further liberalise the abortion law and to instead embrace measures to bring down the spiralling rates that have made Britain the abortion capital of Europe.
Bank says MPC has to balance competing risks
The weakening in the British economy argues for further interest rate cuts but policymakers need to balance that against rising inflationary pressures, Bank of England Deputy Governor John Gieve said on Thursday.
Tourism industry prays for sun
On a sun-kissed Sunday afternoon, the tourists poured into the childhood home of Henry VIII's ill-fated wife Ann Boleyn.
Barclays may get Japanese investment
Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group may invest about $926 million (470 million pounds) in Barclays , people familiar with the matter said on Friday, as subprime-hit Western lenders increasingly turn to Asia for funding.
France warns no treaty, no EU enlargement
The European Union should forget about adding new member states until it has resolved Ireland's rejection of a treaty designed to overhaul the bloc's institutions, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday.
U.N. categorizes rape as a war tactic
The U.N. Security Council demanded on Thursday that warring governments and factions act to halt violence against women, saying rape was no longer just a by-product of war but a military tactic.
Israel seen rehearsing Iran attack
U.S. officials say Israel carried out a large military exercise this month that appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, The New York Times reported on Friday.
Suicide blast kills 10 Afghan civilians
A suicide attack on a NATO convoy in southern Afghanistan on Friday killed 10 civilians and wounded some NATO soldiers, police and a NATO spokesman said.
Teen 'pregnancy pact' shocks U.S. city
A Massachusetts city is investigating an apparent teenage "pregnancy pact" that has at least 17 high-school girls expecting babies, four times more than last year, including many aged 16 or younger.
U.S. housing crisis brings Wall St. arrests
The U.S. housing crisis produced its first high-profile Wall Street arrests on Thursday, while the Bush administration called for broadening the Federal Reserve's powers over investment banks and said it has charged hundreds of people in a mortgage fraud probe.
EU defies U.S. and scraps Cuba sanctions
European Union states agreed on Thursday to scrap sanctions against Cuba in a move aimed at encouraging democratic reforms on the Communist island, officials said.
Police and protesters face off in Bangkok
Police grappled with protesters in Bangkok on Friday as thousands of demonstrators marched through the Thai capital in an attempt to force the five-month old government from power.
South African countries told to 're-double' efforts on Zimbabwe
In a joint letter, twelve senior British church leaders have called on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to "redouble" its efforts to ensure fair elections in Zimbabwe, where people are due to vote on 27 June in a second round to elect a president.
Muslim creationist preaches Islam, awaits Christ
Harun Yahya is one of the most widely distributed authors in the Muslim world. He may also be among the most widely criticised Muslim authors in the Western world.
Retail sales sizzle in May sun
An early summer heatwave sent Britain on a shopping spree in May, driving retail sales up at the sharpest pace in more than two decades, boosting expectations the Bank of England will raise interest rates.