News
Races close in White House campaign
Voters in Iowa begin the process of choosing the next U.S. president on Thursday with two close nominating races, as a new poll showed Barack Obama leading John Edwards among Democrats -- with Hillary Clinton falling to a potentially damaging third.
Bomb kills at least four in Turkish city
At least four people were killed and 52 injured on Thursday when a bomb destroyed a military vehicle in a southeastern Turkish city, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said.
Israeli troops kill 9 Palestinians in Gaza Strip
The Israeli army killed at least four Palestinian gunmen and five civilians in air and ground strikes in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Thursday, witnesses and hospital officials said.
Kibaki urges calm as protests shake Kenya
Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki offered to talk to political rivals on Thursday as corpses lay in streets and smoke billowed from burning slums after a day of battles between police and anti-government protesters.
Humanitarian work suffers in Kenya violence
Kenya's spiralling descent into violence and chaos is hampering the work of Tearfund staff and partners in the country.
Vatican No 2 hopes to meet Cuba's Raul Castro
The most senior official in the Vatican after the Pope said he hopes to meet Cuba's acting president Raul Castro during a February visit to the communist-run island.
Tutu asked to oversee re-count of Kenyan election
Archbishop Tutu asked to help re-tally presidential election in Kenya, meets opposition leader in mediation efforts.
Investigators search for hospital fire clues
Investigators began searching for clues on Thursday into the cause of a major blaze that tore through the top floor of London's Royal Marsden Hospital.
Lead thieves target Sentamu's home
The Archbishop of York's home has become the latest target in a wave of lead thefts to hit church buildings and property across the UK.
Hindu extremists convert 2,000 Christians in India
A Hindu group claims to have converted 2,000 tribal Christians to Hinduism in Gujarat.
Taize urges young people to promote unity between churches
The leader of the Taize community urged tens of thousands of young Christians from Europe who gathered in Geneva at the New Year to organise "vigils of reconciliation" for unity between churches that are divided from each other.
Politics and graft undermine African health care
The crowd of African women are tired and angry after hours waiting in the hot sun, but the officials will not vaccinate their children until the president inaugurates the campaign on state television.
Church, community groups condemn rise in prisoner suicide rates
Church, faith and community groups have come out in support of the human rights group Black Mental Health UK's (BMH UK) condemnation of the rapid rise in the numbers of prison suicides over the last 12 months.
Methodist Church tells Government to revisit alcohol licensing laws
Methodist Church appeals to the Government to revisit 24-hour licensing laws.
Kenyan police battle Odinga supporters
Kenyan police fired teargas and water cannon on Thursday at thousands of anti-government protesters chanting "Peace" and singing the national anthem as they tried to march to a banned rally.
2007 one of deadliest years for U.N. staff
Last year was one of the deadliest ever for U.N. personnel, with 42 civilian staff and peacekeeping troops killed in acts of violence, the world body's staff union said on Wednesday.