News
BAE and Accenture pull out of identity card scheme
Defence company BAE Systems withdrew from the process to pick prime suppliers for the proposed national identity card scheme, a further blow for the unpopular project.
Heathrow crash jet's engines did not shut down
The British Airways plane that crash-landed at Heathrow last week did not suffer a total power failure as it approached the airport, investigators said on Thursday.
Peter Hain resigns in donations row
Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain, embroiled in a row over campaign contributions, resigned on Thursday after his case was referred to the police by electoral authorities, Hain's department said.
Ecumenical body appeals for prayers for Gaza churches
The head of the World Council of Churches (WCC) has appealed to its members around the world to demonstrate their solidarity with churches in Gaza through prayers and advocacy.
Catholic aid agency calls on Scottish Government to act on climate change
Scots are joining with the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) in large numbers to call on the Scottish Government and MSPs to ensure Scotland does its "fair share" to tackle climate change.
Caritas launches $2.7m appeal for victims of Kenya violence
The Caritas Confederation of 162 Catholic aid agencies is appealing for $2.7 million to help those driven from their homes by violence that has swept through Kenya after December's general election.
Czechs propose $4.6 bln church restitution deal
The Czech government proposed to pay 83 billion crowns ($4.64 billion) in damages to churches on Wednesday for property confiscated by the country's former communist rulers.
Official says Israel wants to sever Gaza connections
Israel would like to sever its remaining connections with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip after militants blasted open the territory's border with Egypt, a top Israeli defence official said on Thursday.
Italy PM mulls whether to quit or face Senate vote
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi faces a choice on Thursday whether to resign or face a confidence vote in the Senate he is expected to lose, obliging him to step down anyway.
French bank SocGen says hit by 4.9 bln euro fraud
French bank Societe Generale disclosed one of the biggest alleged frauds in financial history on Thursday, adding to a wave of gloom surrounding world markets battered by credit market losses.
'Jesus Tomb' is a closed case for most scholars
A group of scholars has posted a statement rejecting the claims of the "Lost Tomb of Jesus" that the Talpiot tomb belongs to Jesus a week after a conference in Jerusalem revisited some of the controversial film's assertions.
Brazil says Amazon destruction soars again
The destruction of the Amazon forest surged over the last five months of 2007, the Brazilian government said on Wednesday, only months after hailing progress in curbing deforestation.
Pakistani forces battle militants
Pakistani forces have cleared militant strongholds from three areas in the South Waziristan region on the Afghan border and 40 militants and eight soldiers have been killed in the fighting, the military said on Thursday.
China urges 'creative efforts' to end Iran standoff
China urged all sides in Iran's nuclear standoff with the West to be creative and find a new way towards a diplomatic solution.
Police chief hurt in fatal Iraq blast
The police chief of Mosul was seriously wounded in an explosion on Thursday as he toured the scene of a huge blast a day earlier which had killed at least 20 people in the northern Iraqi city, police said.
Canada quietly halted transfer of Afghan detainees
The Canadian military quietly stopped transferring detainees in Afghanistan to the control of Afghan authorities due to concern over torture allegations, according to a government letter released on Wednesday.