News
Goldsmiths signs up to CAFOD's Golden Rules on ethical mining
CAFOD celebrates as Goldsmiths becomes the latest major jewellery chain in the UK to sign up to a set of international principles to ensure gold mining minimises damage to the environment and communities local to the mines.
Jesus was not born in a stable, says Christian author
Jesus was not born in a stable, says Christian author, every nativity play has got it wrong.
Iraqi Shi'ite leader wants U.S.-backed units curbed
Iraq's powerful Shi'ite Muslim leader, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, called on Friday for curbs on U.S.-backed neighbourhood patrol units, which are mainly Sunni, saying weapons should only be in the hands of the government.
Saudi police on alert as pilgrims rush to finish rite
Saudi police went on high alert on Friday as millions of Muslims rushed to complete one of the last rituals of the annual haj pilgrimage, testing to the limits the new crowd control arrangements at an accident spot on the haj itinerary.
Zuma says no word from prosecutors on graft
Ruling ANC leader Jacob Zuma said on Friday he had not been contacted by South African prosecutors over possible corruption charges.
Former Cold War borders fall away in new Europe
Frontiers in east Europe once guarded by machineguns and barbed wire in the Cold War fell away on Friday as nine mostly former communist states joined the EU's border-free zone amid fireworks, cheers and music.
Japan removes humpback whales from Antarctic hunt
Japan's whaling fleet in the Antarctic will avoid killing humpback whales for now, but will press on with plans to slay 1,000 other whales by early in the New Year, a government official said on Friday.
Belgium on edge after thwarting Qaeda jail break
Belgium stepped up security on Friday against a possible terrorist attack after arresting 14 suspected Islamic militants and thwarting what it said was a plot to spring an al Qaeda suspect from jail.
Suicide attack kills 41 in Pakistan mosque
A suicide bomber killed at least 38 people in a mosque in northwest Pakistan on Friday where a former interior minister was offering Muslim Eid festival prayers with worshippers, officials said.
Retail sales rise beats forecasts
Retail sales rose more than expected in November as Internet shopping surged at its fastest rate in more than a year, suggesting consumer demand is still holding up in the face of a housing market slowdown.
Seven great 'medical myths' revealed
Reading in dim light won't damage your eyes, you don't need eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy and shaving your legs won't make the hair grow back faster.
Doctors call for alcohol price hike
Senior doctors said on Friday the government should raise the price of alcohol as part of a series of tough measures to cut the harm caused by excessive drinking.
Millions to hit the roads for Christmas
Around 18 million people are expected to hit the roads on Friday with jams predicted during the afternoon as the Christmas getaway begins.
Diana inquest: was it true love or summer fling?
Princess Diana's chauffeur was drunk and "staggering like a clown" just hours before the high-speed crash that killed her and her lover Dodi al-Fayed, the inquest into their deaths was told on Thursday.
Tories attack Brown over foreign prisoners
Thousands of foreign prisoners may be allowed to stay in Britain on their release from jail, despite Gordon Brown's pledge to crack down on oTories attack Brown over foreign prisonersverseas offenders, the Conservative Party said on Friday.
Housing Justice says fond farewell to Bishop of Dudley
Housing Justice paid tribute to the Bishop of Dudley last week when he stepped down after almost five years as the Christian housing charity's Chair.