News
Preperations underway for 150th anniversary of Lourdes apparitions
Preparations are underway among Catholics for the 2008 Jubilee celebrating 150 years since the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to a young French girl, Bernadette Soubirous, from Lourdes.
People of all faiths and none back church schools
The results of a new survey released on Monday have revealed widespread support for faith schools across people of all faiths and none.
Cardinal hits out at Embryology Bill
The head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has strongly criticised the Government's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which receives its second reading in the House of Lords today.
U.N. appeals for aid to 'grim' bangladesh disaster
The United Nations' food aid agency has appealed for more aid to help save lives in Bangladesh where nearly 2,600 people were killed by cyclone Sidr.
Iraq's Kurdistan bans media from going to PKK bases
Iraq's northern Kurdistan region have banned journalists from travelling to Kurdish rebel bases, officials said on Monday, accusing the media of aggravating the crisis with Turkey.
Blocked Lebanon deal angers France's Kouchner
France's foreign minister blamed unnamed parties on Monday for blocking a deal between rival Lebanese leaders to agree on a consensus nominee for president, two days before a parliamentary vote.
EU urges Kosovo not to rush towards independence
European Union countries on Monday urged Serbia's breakaway Kosovo not to rush into a declaration of independence, with its backers insisting any such move should be coordinated internationally.
Olmert acts to bolster Abbas before meeting
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sought wide Arab support on Monday for a U.S.-led peace conference by agreeing to release 441 Palestinian prisoners and reaffirming a pledge not to build new Jewish settlements.
Chavez says 'empire of dollar is crashing'
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Monday the "empire of the dollar is crashing", a day after his country and anti-U.S. ally Iran advocated action over the weakening U.S. currency during an OPEC summit in Riyadh.
At least 70 dead in Ukraine mine blast
Rescue teams battled a tough fire in a Ukrainian colliery on Monday as they strove to locate 28 miners missing underground after a methane blast that killed at least 72 others.
Ritual dating from 1919 sets price of gold
When gold reached dizzying heights above $800 (390 pounds) a troy ounce in recent weeks, it cast a spotlight on a ritual that has taken place in London for the past 88 years.
Perfume for dogs sets tails wagging in London
Britain may be a nation of animal lovers, but even the most indulgent owners may turn their noses up at the latest canine gift -- perfume for dogs.
Farepak victims fall into 'cycle of debt'
The collapse of the Farepak Christmas savings club last year has driven many of its low-income victims into a cycle of debt, a union-sponsored report said on Monday.
The Queen marks 60 years of marriage
Queen Elizabeth, the first reigning British monarch to celebrate a diamond wedding anniversary, marked the milestone on Monday with a service of thanksgiving alongside her husband Prince Philip.
Channel 4 cleared over mosque investigation
Channel 4 was cleared on Monday of misleading viewers or presenting material likely to incite racial hatred following a recent undercover documentary on Britain's mosques.
Papworth heart transplants resume after review
Papworth Hospital can resume heart transplant operations after a review failed to find one single reason for a sharp rise in recent deaths, the health watchdog said on Monday.