News
Canada fires nuclear watchdog over isotope debacle
The Canadian government said in a statement late on Tuesday it had fired the country's top nuclear watchdog, criticizing her for how she handled the closure of a key reactor which makes medical radioisotopes.
Zimbabwe opposition to march for free and fair poll
Zimbabwe's main opposition said on Wednesday it planned a protest next week to demonstrate against a crumbling economy and press for a new constitution it says will guarantee free and fair elections scheduled for March.
Militants capture Pakistani fort
Hundreds of militants in northwest Pakistan attacked and captured a paramilitary fort early on Wednesday, and 40 militants and seven soldiers were killed and 20 soldiers missing, the military said.
Two dead as Kenyan police fight protesters
Kenyan police battled hundreds of opposition protesters on Wednesday, killing two, as the opposition defied a ban on rallies against President Mwai Kibaki's disputed re-election, witnesses said.
Flood warnings rise with more rain on way
The number of flood warnings across the country has risen to more than 75 after days of heavy rain swelled rivers to ominously high levels.
Cycling champion MacIntyre killed
Time trial cycling champion Jason MacIntyre was killed on Tuesday after being knocked off his bike by a van while training in Scotland.
Government backs overhaul of organ donor system
An overhaul of the country's organ donation system could lead to a 50 percent rise in donations after death within five years, a taskforce set up by the government said on Wednesday.
Fourth swan positive for H5N1 bird flu
A fourth swan in southern England has tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, DEFA said on Wednesday.
Northern Rock sinks to record low
The search for a private buyer for Northern Rock could go on for several more weeks, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Wednesday, but he left open the option the stricken lender could be nationalised.
Brown backs Hain over donations
Prime Minister Gordon Brown declared his support for Peter Hain in parliament on Wednesday, a day after describing his cabinet colleague's failure to properly declare political donations as "an incompetence".
Prostitutes' drug habits proved fatal
The trial of a former forklift truck driver accused of murdering five women in Ipswich during an unprecedented killing spree was told on Wednesday their decision to turn to prostitution to fund their drug habits had proved fatal.
Pope scraps university visit after protests
Pope Benedict cancelled a speech at Rome's most prestigious university on Tuesday after student and faculty protests, the first time demonstrations had forced him to scrap an appearance since he became Pontiff in 2005.
Cultural architect: why churches are declining in America
A cutting-edge church leader in the US known for his innovative ideas on reaching a post-modern generation for Christ contends that the reason why churches are declining in America is because they are self-centered.
CofE commended for good disability employment practices
JobCentre Plus has awarded the Church of England's National Church Institutions (NCIs) its Two Ticks symbol for their good practice in employing people with disabilities.
Vatican slams Harry Potter as 'wrong kind of hero'
Harry Potter "the wrong kind of hero", warns Catholic expert in English literature.
Bishop of Limerick to retire
The Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, the Rt Rev Michael Mayes, is to retire at the end of March after forty-three years in the ordained ministry.