News
Straw to unveil prison reform plan
Justice Secretary Jack Straw will reveal on Wednesday how the government plans to deal with the crisis of overcrowding in prisons.
Trials to consider abortions at GP surgeries
Trials have been launched to see whether abortions can be carried out safely at GP surgeries in England, the Department of Health said on Wednesday.
Former Kirk moderator, Torrance, dies at 94
The Very Rev Prof Thomas F Torrance, Moderator of the General Assembly of 1976, passed away on 2 December 2007.
Gospel for Asia missionary beaten for sharing faith
A Gospel for Asia missionary has been beaten in India after sharing the gospel with a fellow passenger on a train he was taking.
British missionary believed kidnapped in Philippines
Pastor David Brash, a British missionary has gone missing in Bukidnon province in the southern Philippines. He has been missing since 22nd November and is believed to have been kidnapped by an as yet unidentified person or group.
50,000 books boost Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal
Bookstart has kick-started the Salvation Army's Christmas Present Appeal by donating over 50,000 books for children aged 0-6, which will be distributed within communities, to people of all faiths, in time for Christmas.
Only fifth of schools to hold nativity play this Christmas
A recent survey has suggested that only one in five schools are planning to hold a traditional Christmas nativity play this year.
Suicide bomber kills 13 in Kabul
A suicide bomber targeted a bus carrying Afghan army personnel in Kabul on Wednesday, killing six military staff and seven civilians, the defence ministry said.
Bush and allies urge pressure on Iran
Iran said on Tuesday it felt vindicated by a U.S. intelligence finding that it was not building an atomic bomb, but George W. Bush said Tehran remained dangerous and international pressure should continue.
Bush to visit Mideast region
President George W. Bush, who hosted a summit last week aimed at jump-starting Israeli and Palestinian peace talks, will visit the Middle East in January, the White House said on Tuesday.
Thai king urges unity at 80th birthday celebrations
Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej called for national unity on Wednesday at joyous celebrations on the 80th birthday of the world's longest reigning monarch.
Rice arrives in Ethiopia for Africa crisis talks
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Ethiopia on Wednesday for talks with African leaders aimed at tackling long-running conflicts in the volatile Great Lakes region, Somalia and Sudan.
One-child policy cited as China youth crime soars
China's criminals are getting younger, more innovative and more plentiful, state media said on Wednesday, citing experts who blamed increasing Internet access and the effects of the country's "one-child policy".
Pledge of allegiance to God goes to court in US
The phrase "One Nation Under God" went on trial yesterday, as Kevin "Seamus" Hasson, President of the Becket Fund asked a federal appeals court to overturn a ban on saying the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools.
Police arrest 'dead' canoeist
Police said on Wednesday they had arrested a canoeist who reappeared at the weekend more than five years after he went missing, presumed drowned, off the coast of northeast England.
Medical research centre gets go-ahead
The government backed plans on Wednesday to build a new 500 million pound medical research centre in London to bring together the country's best scientists.