News

Christian Peoples Alliance defends bishop over Islam comments

The leader of the Christian Peoples Alliance group on Newham Council, Cllr Alan Craig, has commended the Bishop of Rochester for speaking up about Muslim "no-go areas".

Aged care system seen needing overhaul

The care system for the aged is in desperate need of an overhaul, a coalition of specialists warned on Monday.

Supporters hold church service for Liberia's Taylor

Family and friends of Charles Taylor held a church service on Sunday in support of the former Liberian president, on the eve of his trial in The Hague on 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Church of England to offer support for post-Christmas debt problems

In the aftermath of the festive period, the Church of England is shifting its focus to give support and advice to thousands of people faced with post-Christmas debt problems.

Brown urges MPs to keep pay rises down

Gordon Brown told members of parliament on Sunday to keep their own pay increases this year below the rate of inflation, in solidarity with nurses, teachers and policeman whose pay hikes have been restricted.

Christians persevere to bring aid to Kenyan refugees

Churches and aid agencies are struggling in the midst of Kenya's post-election turmoil to bring aid to tens of thousands of refugees.

Islamist extremism creating 'no-go areas', says bishop

The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, warned on Sunday that Islamic extremism had turned some areas of Britain into hostile "no-go areas" for people of a different faith.

Churches called on to help save post office services

Archdeacons in Berkshire, Buckingham and Oxford are urging local clergy and churchgoers to join in a public consultation on the future of post offices in the region.

Kikuyus still shelter in church despite massacre

Close to where 30 of their kin burned to death, thousands of Kikuyus are sheltering in another church, protected by a cleric from the same tribe that carried out the worst atrocity of Kenya's crisis.

Kenyans turn to God for end to violence

Kenya's conflict-weary Christians are turning to God for an end to the post-election violence that has left hundreds dead and thousands displaced from their homes.

Colombian rebels admit not having boy hostage

Colombian rebels admitted on Friday they did not have a boy they had promised to release last week in a Venezuela-sponsored hand-over of hostages and accused the government of snatching him just as he was about to be freed.

Brown says UK faces test in 'dangerous' economic times

Britain faces a testing time with the world economy in a "difficult and dangerous situation", Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, promising not to shirk unpopular, long-term decisions to ensure stability.

Tories vow to reform benefits system

The Conservative Party pledged on Saturday to end what it called Britain's "something-for-nothing" culture, accusing the government of wasting taxpayers' money by paying out benefits to people who are able to work.

Junior doctors face fight for NHS posts

Junior doctors face intense competition for specialist training posts this year, with 2.5 times mores applicants than jobs, the National Health Service said on Saturday.

Scientist sees few benefits from biofuels

Rising production of biofuels has distorted government budgets, helped to drive up food prices and led to deforestation in south-east Asia, the chief scientist of Defra said on Friday.

BBC presenter arrested over fiancee's death

A BBC children's television presenter has been arrested on suspicion of murder after his fiancee was found dead in the bathroom of their London flat, his lawyer and police said on Friday.