News

Dr Who tops celebrity teacher poll

Dr Who star David Tennant has come out on top in a Children's Society poll asking children to name their ideal celebrity teacher.

Jerry Springer - The Opera not blasphemous say judges

Two high court judges have ruled that Jerry Springer - The Opera, shown on BBC" in 2005, could not be considered blasphemous "in context".

TD Jakes to take popular MegaFest to South Africa

Bishop TD Jakes is taking his record-setting MegaFest event overseas to South Africa next year

Minister: UK should 'celebrate' Christian heritage

Community cohesion minister Parmjit Dhanda told a Westminster debate that the UK should "celebrate" Christianity's influence on its heritage and culture.

Pastor in Guyana killed in robbery

A pastor in Guyana was shot and killed by a gunman trying to rob his church.

Lutherans tell Israeli, Palestinian leaders to pursue peace treaty

The Lutheran World Federation has appealed to Israeli and Palestinian leaders to "urgently pursue" the successful conclusion of a peace treaty between their nations

Episcopal diocese to vote on final split

The 9,000 strong Diocese of San Joaquin in the US will vote this week on whether or not to secede from the Episcopal Church.

Nine dead in Nebraska mall shooting

A 19-year-old man killed eight people and then himself with an assault rifle at a busy mall in Omaha on Wednesday, sending terrified workers and Christmas shoppers scrambling for cover.

Australia's Rudd to bridge China, West climate gap

Australia's new prime minister, Kevin Rudd, has proposed to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that Australia act as a bridge between China and the West on the issue of climate change.

Wife admits 'dead canoeist' photo genuine

The wife of a back-from-the-dead canoeist has admitted to newspapers that a photo of them taken together in Panama last year was genuine.

Britain to unveil measures on terrorism suspects

Britain is expected to unveil plans to extend the time terrorism suspects can be held without charge on Thursday but will offer a compromise to opponents that would give parliament a greater say, media reports said.

Primary schools hailed for national test results

The government hailed three primary schools in Merseyside, Greater Manchester and London on Thursday for achieving the best "value added" results in national tests taken by 11-year-old pupils this summer.

Strike set to hit job centres and benefits offices

Civil servants at the Department for Work and Pensions started a two-day strike over pay on Thursday which is likely to disrupt services.

Insurers call for 25-year flood strategy

Britain needs a 25-year flood management strategy, run by a single organisation and including greater investment and targets for cutting flood risk, an insurance trade body said on Tuesday.

Philippine Muslim rebels jailed for kidnap and beheading

A Manila court sentenced 14 members of a Muslim militant group to life in prison on Thursday for the kidnapping of 20 people from a luxury beach resort in 2001 and the decapitation of three of them, including an American.

Spice Girls appreciate fame more now

The Spice Girls, back together and nearly a decade older than they were during their last world tour, have a better appreciation for their success -- and each other -- than they did during their heyday as a late 1990s pop phenomenon, the singers said on Wednesday.