News
Precious Medieval Crucifix Found in Austrian Rubbish Skip
An 800-year-old, gold-plated crucifix that went missing after being seized by the Nazis has been found in a rubbish skip in Austria, police said.
New Iraq Alliance Formed to Support Shaky Government
Iraqi Kurdish and Shi'ite leaders formed an alliance on Thursday to support Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government, but failed to bring in Sunni leaders who are crucial to national reconciliation.
Earthquakes Move Faster than Previously Thought, Study Finds
Earthquakes on long, straight faults can rupture faster than previously thought and trigger powerful shock waves that make quick-moving quakes even more destructive, according to a new study published on Thursday.
Germany Plans Energy Saving Measures to Tackle Climate Change
The German government has reached broad agreement on a number of energy savings measures as it implements a drive by Chancellor Angela Merkel to battle climate change.
Dutch Priest Fined for Early Morning Bell-Ringing
A Dutch priest has been fined 5,000 euros ($6,800) for ringing his church bells too loudly in the morning.
UN Plans Middle East and Iraq Conferences in September
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon plans to call a meeting on the future of Iraq as well as a session of the Quartet mediators on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a U.N. official said on Thursday.
New York Billboard Draws Criticism from Anti-Abortion Catholics
A New York company has angered anti-abortion activists by using the contentious issue to advertise its storage business, by showing a wire coat hanger and the slogan: "Your closet space is shrinking as fast as her right to choose."
Devastating Peru Earthquake Sparks Call for Prayer, Aid
Pope Benedict XVI offered prayers Thursday for the victims of Peru's powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake and called for immediate assistance for the hundreds who were injured or made homeless.
Lithuania Decides to Take EU to Court over Carbon Cuts
Lithuania's government said on Thursday it took a formal decision to take the European Commission (EC) to the European Court of Justice over carbon dioxide emission allowances.
Charter to Instil Equal Rights for Religious Minorities in Pakistan
Thousands of people, including leaders of religious minority groups, unanimously accepted a 'Charter of Demands' at a rally on Saturday 11 August in Lahore, Pakistan.
Texas Megachurch Harassed for Refusing to Host Pro-Gay Memorial
A Texas megachurch is drawing fire from the homosexual community for refusing to host a gay man's memorial service, which the church says goes against its church policy.
Hurricane Dean Threatens to be Major Caribbean Storm
Hurricane Dean threatened to become a dangerously powerful storm as it plowed toward the Caribbean and aimed for Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and the oil rigs of the Gulf of Mexico beyond, U.S. forecasters said on Thursday.
CofE Pleased with Rise in A-level Religious Studies Entries
The Church of England has welcomed the rise in the number of students taking A-level Religious Studies, despite competition from a number of new subjects.
Egyptian Christian Convert Vows Not to Give Up
Death threats, his family's renunciation of him, and condemnation from most of Egypt have not deterred Christian convert Mohammed Ahmed Hegazy from pursuing his historic case to seek official recognition for his conversion from Islam to Christianity.
WHO Urges Free Distribution of Anti-Malaria Nets
The World Health Organisation on Thursday recommended that malaria endemic countries widely distribute free insecticide-treated mosquito nets that give long-term protection against the disease which kills more than one million people a year.
Police Make Arrests in Airport Climate Protests
Police arrested 11 people staging a climate protest outside Biggin Hill airport in Kent on Thursday as part of the wider campaign against the expansion of Heathrow airport.