News
U.S. urged to prevent election rigging in Pakistan
U.S. policymakers must keep pressure on President Pervez Musharraf to hold fair elections in Pakistan next month or risk deeper chaos in the nuclear-armed country, an important ally in Washington's anti-terror campaign, experts told Congress on Wednesday.
U.N. asks for $42 mln in aid for Kenya refugees
The United Nations launched an urgent appeal on Wednesday for member states to provide $42 million (21 million pounds) in humanitarian aid to help an estimated half a million people affected by violence in Kenya.
Russia warned over UK staff summons
Britain warned Russia on Wednesday any attempt to intimidate staff of the British Council was "completely unacceptable" after Russia's state security service summoned local employees to speak to its officers.
US Episcopal Church attempts to ban another bishop
An effort to ban another bishop from his religious duties was not supported by The Episcopal Church's senior bishops.
RAC warns against drink-drivers
Almost one in five young people got into a car this Christmas believing the driver was over the drink limit, according to a survey.
Jobs arise from ashes of Finland forestry industry
When Finland's UPM-Kymmene bowed to tough market conditions and shut its Voikkaa paper plant two years ago, Raimo Loytty readily swapped a 30-year career in the mill for a stone mason's chisel.
Wealthy may be next in line in U.S. home crisis
A house in this wealthy Chicago suburb is far beyond the reach of most Americans. Unfortunately, Hinsdale may also now be too expensive for some of the people who already live here.
Brown aims to raise UK profile in Asia
Prime Minister Gordon Brown travels to China and India in the next few days, knowing that boosting trade with the fast-growing countries could be vital at a time when the credit crunch hits growth elsewhere.
GPs wasting money on branded drugs
Primary care doctors are wasting hundreds of millions of pounds a year by prescribing heavily promoted and pricey branded medicines rather than cheaper generics, a parliamentary committee said on Thursday.
Home Office to crack down on radical Web sites
The Home Secretary is to outline plans on Thursday to clamp down on radical Web sites that attract the young and vulnerable to extremism.
Chinese learn English to guide tourists during Olympics
When Zhi Lijiang first signed up to be an Olympic volunteer for the 2008 Beijing Games, she could hardly have imagined she would be playing the role of a Canadian tourist in English and etiquette classes.
US presidential candidates asked to reject divisive religious talk
Christian leaders urge US presidential candidates to resist divisive religious rhetoric and respect religious freedom.
UK must challenge "damaging" EU trade deals - agency
Christian Aid is calling on the British Government to push for a comprehensive review of "serious, damaging flaws" in trade agreements it said had been "forced upon" a number of developing countries in recent weeks by the European Union.
Bush wraps up Middle East visit
U.S. President George W. Bush, wrapping up a Middle East trip on Wednesday, hopes his talks in Saudi Arabia will help encourage OPEC to raise production and dampen oil prices, the White House said.
U.S. insists cluster bombs not bad if used right
Cluster bombs, which nearly 100 countries are seeking to ban, should not be considered bad as long as states involved in conflicts use them responsibly, a senior United States official said on Wednesday.
Female suicide bomber kills eight in Iraq
A female suicide bomber wearing a vest packed with explosives killed eight people in an attack on a crowded market in a mainly Shi'ite town in Iraq's volatile Diyala province on Wednesday, police said.