News

Convicted aid workers fly home from Chad

Six French aid workers sentenced to hard labour in Chad for trying to kidnap 103 children flew out of the African nation on Friday bound for France where they are due to serve their sentences in jail.

Al Qaeda leads suspect list in Bhutto killing

Al Qaeda is the chief suspect in the murder of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, standing to gain by preserving its remote stronghold, undermining President Pervez Musharraf and destabilizing the country, U.S. government and private analysts said.

House prices fall in December

House prices fell for a second straight month in December even after the Bank of England cut interest rates, in a sign the property market slowdown is gathering pace and could spell trouble for the economy in 2008.

Policeman dies after attending domestic incident

A man in his 30s has been arrested for murder after a police officer died attending a domestic incident in northwest London, Scotland Yard said on Thursday.

Two bodies found in Yorkshire cave

Two bodies have been found by police and rescue teams in a cave in North Yorkshire, police said on Friday.

Pregnant women told to boost vitamin D intake

The government is advising pregnant and breastfeeding women to increase their intake of vitamin D during the darker winter months to reduce the risk of seizures and the bone disease rickets in their children.

Prince William favoured as next monarch

Britons favour Prince William over his father Charles as their next monarch, with widespread approval for William's girlfriend boosting his ratings, a poll shows.

Brown urges Musharraf to hold to democratic course

Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and urged him to "stick to the course" of democracy and stability on Friday following the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

US evangelicals support Jews leaving Iran

On Christmas Day this year, 40 Jews arrived secretly in Israel having defected from Iran, a long time enemy of the world's only Jewish state. Each of the arriving Jews received a gift of $10,000 from American evangelical Christians.

Manchester United and Children's Society launch three-year partnership

Premier league football club Manchester United and The Children's Society have launched a three-year partnership to raise funds to improve the lives of children in the UK.

City banks build star for London church

Two major city banks have teamed up with a local London church to spread festive cheer with a giant star.

Help for immigrants divides US congregations

He doesn't speak Spanish and has no idea what America should do about illegal immigration, but Rev. Larry Kreps knows he's now on a list somewhere of people willing to help illegal immigrants in a time of crisis.

40,000 youths gather in Geneva for Taizé prayers

Around 40,000 young adults from across Europe and beyond will gather in Geneva on Friday for five days of prayer and reflection.

Christmas riots continue in Orissa

Violence against Christians in the Indian state of Orissa continued for a third day Thursday even as hundreds of armed police patrolled parts of eastern India.

Malaysia Christians challenge ban on word 'Allah'

A church in Malaysia and a Christian weekly newspaper are attempting to sue the Malaysian Government for banning them from using the word "Allah". They claim that the ban is unconstitutional and violates freedom of religion.

Baptist ministers to encourage Angolan women

Five female Baptist church leaders will fly out to Angola today for two weeks of New Year mission amongst women.