News

Murdoch son to lead News Corp Asia, Europe--source

Rupert Murdoch's younger son James will take over News Corp's Asian and European operations, according to a source familiar with the matter, in a move that appears to position him as the global media empire's heir apparent.

Cost of raising a child tops 180,000 pounds

The cost of raising a child has rocketed to more than 180,000 pounds, according to a report, with university years the most expensive for parents, followed by the period between the ages of two and five.

Climate impact report sets scene for future

Land and sea temperatures around Britain have risen sharply under the influence of climate change and more is on the way, a government report said on Friday.

Female suicide bomber kills 16 in Iraq

A female suicide bomber wearing a vest packed with explosives killed 16 people on Friday in an attack northeast of Baghdad on former Sunni Arab insurgents who have joined with security forces to fight al Qaeda, police said.

Researchers use new stem cell method to treat mice

Using a new type of stem cells made from ordinary skin cells, U.S. researchers said on Thursday they treated mice with sickle cell anemia, proving in principle that such cells could be used as a therapy.

Japan hangs three, discloses names and crimes

Japan hanged three death row inmates on Friday and for the first time revealed names and details of the crimes in a change of policy aimed at bolstering public support for capital punishment.

Mugabe arrives in Lisbon for EU-Africa summit

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe arrived in Lisbon late on Thursday for an EU-Africa summit, which Prime Minister Gordon Brown is boycotting because he would not "sit down at the same table" as him.

Canada urges end to medical isotope problems

The Canadian government is demanding that the country's maker of crucial radioisotopes for nuclear medicine sort out technical problems that have crippled production, a key minister said on Thursday.

Christians to pray for God's creation

Christians of all denominations will unite in London this Saturday to pray for political leadership in protecting creation.

Persecution group condemns church beatings in Cuba

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) today expressed grave concern regarding reports that Cuban security agents entered a church by force on Tuesday evening and proceeded to severely beat around eighteen human rights activists who were attending Mass.

Social cohesion needs religion - Archbishop

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has argued that religion is fundamental to maintaining social cohesion.

Black evangelicals emerging as US' new conservatives

A number of black evangelical leaders in the US are rising up as a new voice in the conservative movement traditionally dominated by white Protestants.

Graham Kendrick's Christmas project inspires musical

Celebrated British musician Graham Kendrick will collaborate in a Christmas musical with a church in Connecticut, based on his latest holiday album Dreaming of a Holy Night.

U.S. commander says al Qaeda still dangerous foe

Al Qaeda remains a dangerous foe in Iraq despite a decline in violence, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq said on Thursday, a day after the deadliest bombing in Baghdad since September.

Bush unveils plan to slow U.S. home foreclosures

U.S. President George W. Bush announced a plan on Thursday aimed at slowing a wave of home loan foreclosures that has threatened to knock the U.S. economy into recession and rattled investors worldwide.

U.S. spy official says Iran ambitions not 'benign'

Iran retains key nuclear capabilities despite having frozen weapons development in 2003, and its ambitions cannot be considered benign, a senior U.S. spy official told Congress on Thursday.