News
Former Cold War borders fall away in new Europe
Frontiers in east Europe once guarded by machineguns and barbed wire in the Cold War fell away on Friday as nine mostly former communist states joined the EU's border-free zone amid fireworks, cheers and music.
Japan removes humpback whales from Antarctic hunt
Japan's whaling fleet in the Antarctic will avoid killing humpback whales for now, but will press on with plans to slay 1,000 other whales by early in the New Year, a government official said on Friday.
Belgium on edge after thwarting Qaeda jail break
Belgium stepped up security on Friday against a possible terrorist attack after arresting 14 suspected Islamic militants and thwarting what it said was a plot to spring an al Qaeda suspect from jail.
Suicide attack kills 41 in Pakistan mosque
A suicide bomber killed at least 38 people in a mosque in northwest Pakistan on Friday where a former interior minister was offering Muslim Eid festival prayers with worshippers, officials said.
Retail sales rise beats forecasts
Retail sales rose more than expected in November as Internet shopping surged at its fastest rate in more than a year, suggesting consumer demand is still holding up in the face of a housing market slowdown.
Seven great 'medical myths' revealed
Reading in dim light won't damage your eyes, you don't need eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy and shaving your legs won't make the hair grow back faster.
Doctors call for alcohol price hike
Senior doctors said on Friday the government should raise the price of alcohol as part of a series of tough measures to cut the harm caused by excessive drinking.
Millions to hit the roads for Christmas
Around 18 million people are expected to hit the roads on Friday with jams predicted during the afternoon as the Christmas getaway begins.
Diana inquest: was it true love or summer fling?
Princess Diana's chauffeur was drunk and "staggering like a clown" just hours before the high-speed crash that killed her and her lover Dodi al-Fayed, the inquest into their deaths was told on Thursday.
Tories attack Brown over foreign prisoners
Thousands of foreign prisoners may be allowed to stay in Britain on their release from jail, despite Gordon Brown's pledge to crack down on oTories attack Brown over foreign prisonersverseas offenders, the Conservative Party said on Friday.
Housing Justice says fond farewell to Bishop of Dudley
Housing Justice paid tribute to the Bishop of Dudley last week when he stepped down after almost five years as the Christian housing charity's Chair.
BAA airport workers to strike
Thousands of workers at seven of Britain's busiest airports have voted to strike in a dispute over pensions, their union said on Friday.
Wal-Mart donates $200,000 in gift vouchers to US Salvation Army
Superstore Wal-Mart donated $200,000 in gift vouchers to The Salvation Army USA to be distributed in eight US communities this holiday season.
US poll: evangelicals in presidential election top religion stories of 2007
The fight for a Republican candidate in the 2008 US presidential race tops this year's religion stories, according to a recent poll.
Egypt arrests 13 Christians for collecting church donations
Egypt officials arrested 13 Christians earlier this week for collecting donations to rebuild a church without a permit, their lawyer said Wednesday.
Pentecostals bringing lunch to 1,777 London homes
Volunteers from one of London's largest Pentecostal churches, Jesus House, will be delivering a hamper to 1,777 homes in North West London in an effort to put the Christmas spotlight firmly back on Jesus.