News
Russian party challenges Putin vote bid in court
A Russian opposition party said on Thursday it had asked a court to disqualify Russian President Vladimir Putin from a parliamentary vote next month on the grounds his job gives him an unfair advantage.
Israeli troops fire on north Gaza
Israeli forces carried out a missile attack on a group of Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing two militants and wounding three other people, witnesses and hospital officials said.
Hard Rock Gospel Project exhibition to promote success over sectarianism
Church of Ireland exhibition to build new bridges in an area of North Belfast scarred by its sectarian past.
Baptist advice to US presidential hopeful: follow JFK's lead
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney needs to assure evangelicals that his Mormon faith would not be his ultimate guide if he wants their support, an influential Southern Baptist official said earlier in the week.
Man in court after find of teenage girl's remains
A man is due in a Scottish court on Thursday following the discovery of remains of a teenage girl who vanished 16 years ago at a house in Kent.
Barry George wins retrial over Dando murder
Man jailed for murdering BBC presenter Jill Dando in 1999 wins appeal against his conviction.
Police say Taliban kill Afghan boy for teaching English
Taliban militants shot dead a teenage boy in south-eastern Afghanistan for teaching English to his classmates, police said on Thursday.
Israel braces for Iran bomb despite vow to prevent
Israel is quietly preparing for the possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran despite public pledges to deny its arch-foe the means to pose an "existential threat", Israeli political and defence sources said on Thursday.
Methodist Church launches new online service to make giving easier
The Methodist Church has made giving to its funds easier than ever by setting up an Internet facility for donations and fundraising.
France struggles to work as transport strikes bite
French workers struggled into work for the second day on Thursday as transport unions continued a strike over a pension reform that is seen as the first big test for President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Pakistani caretaker PM due but opposition sceptical
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is expected to appoint a caretaker government on Thursday to oversee elections he has promised for January but which the opposition say will be a sham under emergency rule.
Service marks 500 years of Scottish Sword of State
A service has been held to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the giving of the Sword of State for Scotland by Pope Julius II.
Flights grounded, mothers pray on Korean test day
South Korean mothers knelt in prayer, the stock market opened late and the military grounded flights to help teenagers taking a college entrance exam on Thursday that could shape the course of their lives.
Russian woman gives birth to quintuplets in UK
A Russian woman has given birth to five healthy quintuplet girls at a British hospital.
Prince Charles marks 59th birthday with tribute to black churches
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a special thanksgiving service at one of London's largest black majority churches, Jesus House, where he paid tribute to the contribution of black churches to their communities.
Christian Aid joins Micah Challenge movement to halve global poverty
Christian Aid joins the international movement Micah Challenge to help halve global poverty.