News

French truckers block roads in protest

Truckers blocked roads across France on Monday in their latest protest against high fuel costs and called on the government to help their struggling industry.

Britain to boost Afghan force to 8,030

Britain will increase its force in Afghanistan by 230, taking the total number of British troops there to 8,030, Defence Secretary Des Browne told parliament on Monday.

Quarter of NHS trusts failing hygiene tests

More than a quarter of NHS trusts in England are at risk of losing their licence to treat patients because of a failure to comply with hygiene regulations, the government's health watchdog said on Monday.

Church investigates gay clergy blessing

The Church of England has launched an investigation after vows and rings were exchanged between two homosexual clergymen in one of London's oldest churches.

Cosmetic surgery booming despite economy

Britons might be feeling the pinch of the global credit crunch, but they're still ready to pay thousands of pounds for cosmetic surgery, a report suggested on Monday.

Mugabe threatens to arrest Tsvangirai

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe threatened on Monday to arrest opposition Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai for provoking violence ahead of a June 27 presidential election run-off.

Russia steps up destruction of chemical weapons

Russia will open a new facility on Tuesday to continue destroying its formidable arsenal of chemical weapons, the world's biggest, as part of its drive to eliminate all such weapons by 2012.

Quake-hit China now menaced by floods and landslides

Floods triggered by torrential rains have killed dozens of people across China, as officials struggle to move thousands of victims of last month's earthquake to escape the threat of landslides caused by downpours.

European firms beat U.S. on drug access for poor

European drugmakers are better than their U.S. counterparts in ensuring medicines reach people in poor countries, with Britain's GlaxoSmithKline Plc leading the field, according to an analysis on Monday.

Jon Foreman's Spring/Summer EPs show seasonal growth and life

The Spring/Summer EPs of Jon Foreman, Swithfoot frontman, have just released in the UK, carrying on the simple approach, but adding in a little more seasonal growth and life.

Happiness at Hope

All too often childhoods are cut short as the grim reality of poverty and conflict forces children to grow up way too fast.

Shawn McDonald explores roots again

Sparrow Records singer/songwriter Shawn McDonald offers fans another musical side with the upcoming June 24 EP release Roots Remixed.

Youth for Christ offers youth work degree

Youth for Christ, in partnership with Centre for Youth Ministry (CYM), is pleased to announce it is now offering volunteers in its youth branch, yfcone, the chance to get started on their youth work degree.

Tearfund asks people to consider their global impact

A carbon reduction scheme enabling people to reduce their emissions and help poor communities suffering the worst effects of climate change, has been developed by a former co-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Sir John Houghton.

Kirk Moderator takes to net with new 'Mod blog'

The Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rt Rev David Lunan, is set to break new ground for the Kirk by making his own contribution to the information superhighway.

Rejected Lisbon Treaty is 'serious test' for EU - Protestant group

Ireland's no-vote against the Lisbon Treaty is a "serious test for the European Union", says the President of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE).