News
Ant and Dec to return prize
Entertainment stars Ant and Dec said on Thursday they would return a television comedy award after an investigation found the prize, decided by a viewer telephone vote, should have gone to comedian Catherine Tate.
Preacher Abu Qatada granted bail
Radical cleric Abu Qatada, a Jordanian described by the government as a "significant international terrorist", was granted bail by an immigration appeals tribunal on Thursday, the Home Office said.
Evangelical Alliance welcomes preservation of freedom of speech
The Evangelical Alliance has welcomed the Government's decision to keep a clause preserving freedom of speech in the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill.
Study suggests cool kids can help others avoid smoking
Getting the cool kids to talk to their peers about the dangers of smoking cut the number of young people who started using cigarettes in one study by nearly 25 percent, researchers said on Friday.
Bank leaves rates at 5 percent
The Bank of England kept interest rates at 5.0 percent on Thursday but analysts say a slowing economy will force it to cut borrowing costs next month, even though inflation is heading higher.
No crime checks for 'airside' foreign workers
The government insisted on Thursday there is no threat to security from foreign employees working "airside" at airports without having had their backgrounds checked for criminal convictions.
Evangelicals set record straight on image problem
Evangelicals have a serious image problem and need to reform their ways by getting back to the historic meaning of their identity, declared prominent leaders of the movement on Wednesday.
Burma says no need for foreign aid distribution
Burma will accept foreign aid but distribute relief itself, an official newspaper said on Friday, after a disaster rescue team from Qatar that arrived in Yangon on an aid flight was turned back.
Suspected al Qaeda leader in Iraq arrested
Iraqi security forces have detained a man suspected of being the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq after a captured associate led them to him sleeping in a house in the northern city of Mosul, Iraqi officials said on Friday.
Israel's Olmert admits taking cash but won't quit
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert admitted on Thursday taking cash from a U.S. businessman but resisted calls to resign over a police investigation into alleged hefty bribes over almost a decade.
Hezbollah seizes large parts of Beirut
Hezbollah gunmen took control of large areas of Beirut on Friday in a third day of fighting between the pro-Iranian group and fighters loyal to the U.S.-backed governing coalition.
Oil surges to record high as funds march in
Oil rose to a fresh record near $125 a barrel on Friday, as a strong performance over the last week and a surge in heating oil futures convinced investment funds to push prices higher.
U.N. sees 1.5 million people affected by Burma cyclone
The United Nations believes that at least 1.5 million people in Burma have been "severely affected" by Cyclone Nargis, U.N. humanitarian affairs chief John Holmes said on Thursday.
Free AIDS drugs slash death rate in Malawi study
Providing free AIDS drugs to people in northern Malawi has slashed adult mortality rates, vindicating a recent ramp-up in treatment in poor parts of rural Africa, researchers said on Friday.
Christian leaders mark Israel's anniversary with 'just peace' call
Over 140 Christian leaders have made a unified call for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel. Their declaration is published today in The Independent newspaper.
China says Beijing Olympics basically carbon neutral
This summer's Beijing Olympics will be "basically" carbon neutral thanks to a series of energy saving measures such as the use of solar power and an afforestation programme, a senior official said on Thursday.