News
Bomb explodes in Spain's Basque area
ETA guerrillas detonated a small bomb outside the headquarters of Spain's ruling Socialist Party in a Basque region town on Friday but there were no casualties, officials said.
Beijing opens new air terminal
Beijing opened a huge new $3.6 billion (1.8 billion pounds) airport terminal on Friday ahead of the expected influx of millions of visitors to this summer's Olympics, part of a multi-billion infrastructure boost for the capital.
Army considers prince's Afghan role after leak
Britain's military commanders were considering on Friday whether to withdraw Prince Harry from Afghanistan after Internet leaks he had been secretly serving as a combat soldier on front lines for 2-1/2 months.
Council tax going on public service pensions
A fifth of council tax receipts are spent on local government pensions, a new report shows.
Brown aims to regain initiative at party rall
After months of worry over failed bank Northern Rock, Prime Minister Gordon Brown will this weekend want to seize the initiative from the opposition and prepare his party for local government elections in May.
Fire at Bacton gas terminal hits heating supplies
A fire at one of the largest gas import terminals cut off more than a tenth of the country's gas supply on Thursday, forcing suppliers to turn to a storage site to heat homes overnight.
Government to scrap pricing deal on medicines
Britain is poised to scrap the pricing mechanism for prescription medicines, setting a deadline of September 1 for the launch of a new deal with drug companies, the Financial Times said on Friday.
Dave Clark Five singer Mike Smith dies
Mike Smith, the lead singer of the 1960s band the Dave Clark Five, died on Thursday of pneumonia, his U.S. agent said.
Study sheds light on paralysing ALS
Researchers have discovered a genetic mutation that causes a paralysing illness called ALS in some people, a finding they said on Thursday may lead to treatments for the degenerative nerve condition.
Clydesdale churches to tackle homelessness at roots
Churches in Clydesdale, Scotland, have agreed to set up an initiative to help people who become homeless locally.
Severe flooding kills 20 in Mozambique, Anglicans send aid
The Anglican Church is providing emergency relief after severe flooding claimed 20 lives and displaced over 170,000 people in Niassa, Mozambique.
Topshop faces student backlash over sweatshop conditions
Topshop is facing increasing criticism from its core customers - students and young people - who are protesting over sweatshop conditions in the company's supply chain.
CHASTE praises Cambridgeshire police for sex trafficking arrests
The anti-trafficking church organisation CHASTE has applauded the work of Cambridgeshire police in eradicating sex trafficking from the county which has resulted in 25 arrests.
Pro-Israel evangelical leader Hagee endorses McCain
Republican presidential candidate John McCain won the endorsement of Texas evangelical leader John Hagee on Wednesday, which could boost his standing among religious conservatives who have been reluctant to embrace the likely nominee.
Philippine church gives Arroyo breathing space
The powerful Philippine Catholic church stopped short on Tuesday of calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo over a kickbacks scandal, but urged her to allow officials to assist corruption inquiries.
Thaksin returns to Thailand to cheers
Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made an emotional return from exile on Thursday, swearing to stay out of politics despite a widespread belief he will run the country from behind the scenes.