News
Chinese troops battle rain to drain lake
Chinese troops racing to drain an "earthquake lake" made substantial progress digging a diversion channel and have created emergency escape paths in case a mud and rock dam gives way.
CIA chief says Al Qaeda near defeat
Al Qaeda is essentially defeated in Iraq and Saudi Arabia and on the defensive throughout much of the world, CIA Director Michael Hayden said in a Washington Post interview published on Friday.
Myanmar starts mass evictions
Myanmar's junta started evicting destitute families from government-run cyclone relief centres on Friday, apparently out of concern the 'tented villages' might become permanent.
Japan shelves quake aid plan after China concern
Japan has shelved plans for its military to fly tents and blankets to China in the aftermath of the devastating May 12 earthquake on concerns in China over the move, a senior government official said on Friday.
McCain and Obama try to redraw the political map
A White House race between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama could shake up the political map in November, putting new states in play and shifting the odds in some traditional battlegrounds like Florida and Ohio.
Tropical Storm pummels Nicaragua killing one
Tropical Storm Alma, the first cyclone of the Americas hurricane season, slammed into Nicaragua's Pacific coast on Thursday, killing one person as winds toppled trees and ripped roofs off flimsy homes.
Faith walk to challenge governments on poverty targets
The Archbishop of Canterbury with by joined by bishops and other faith leaders on a walk through London this July to put pressure on governments to step up their commitment to ending extreme global poverty.
Help for fuel poor announced
The government set out on Friday extra measures to help the poor and boost energy efficiency in the face of rocketing fuel prices.
Targets mean police focus on minor crime
Police forces are putting government targets ahead of serving the public, criminalising law-abiding people for minor crimes in the process, according to a report published on Friday.
Cot deaths linked to common bacteria
Researchers have pinpointed two common bacteria that may contribute to cot deaths, even when infants show no sign of tissue damage.
Brown hit by worst party rating
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Labour Party has registered its worst opinion poll showing since surveys began in 1943, the Daily Telegraph reported on Friday.
World Bank approves funding for food crisis
World Bank President Robert Zoellick on Thursday announced $1.2 billion (607 million pounds) in loans and grant financing to expand its assistance to poor countries struggling with the effects of soaring fuel and food costs.
Shipwreck sites found near English Channel
The U.S. treasure hunting company Odyssey Marine Exploration said on Thursday it had found two shipwreck sites near the English Channel with artifacts from the colonial period.
Churches praise Government's support for cluster munitions ban
The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have welcomed the Government's support for a complete ban on cluster bombs.
Invitation to email Bethlehem Christians wishes, prayers for peace
Bethlehem participants in a global week of church advocacy are inviting individuals and groups around the world to send them wishes and prayers for peace.
China and Taiwan to meet in June as ties warm
China and Taiwan will hold talks next month to hammer out the first steps in opening regular direct flights between the two sometimes bitter rivals, as ties warm following the election of a new president on the island.