News
Catholic Bishop backs British brothel regulation
A Roman Catholic bishop in the southern English port city of Portsmouth is backing a campaign to legalise brothels without in any way condoning them.
Pakistan's Musharraf makes poll date he must keep
Pakistani national elections will take place before Feb. 15, President Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday, after Western allies and opponents had demanded polls be held on time and emergency rule scrapped.
Indonesia president says Bali bombers must be executed
Indonesia's president has said the death sentence for three Islamic militants on death row for the 2002 Bali bombings must be carried out, hinting in a television interview that he will not grant them clemency
U.N. sees dialogue path opened in Burma
A path to "substantive dialogue" between Burma's junta and detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been opened, U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari said on Thursday.
Traditionalist pressure mounts on Anglican Communion
Traditionalist Anglican leaders have stepped up pressure on their deeply split Communion by urging it to postpone its consultative conference and pledging more support for rebels against liberal local churches.
London police chief stands firm despite de Menezes criticism
Britain's top police officer resisted growing pressure to resign on Thursday after he was criticised in a report on the shooting by London police of a Brazilian man who was mistaken for a suicide bomber.
EU border-free zone extension to benefit economy
The extension of the European Union's border-free travel zone to nine new members on Dec. 21 will bring strong economic and political benefits, Slovenia's interior minister said on Thursday.
Eight English cities pledge more climate action
Eight provincial English cities pledged on Thursday to take extra steps to combat climate change, echoing the actions of several counterparts in the United States.
Brain-boosting drugs spark ethical debate in UK
A rise in healthy people popping pills to boost performance in exams or work, raises long-term ethical and safety concerns about the effects of such treatments, British doctors said on Thursday.
Gunman shoots policeman outside Northern Irish school
A gunman shot and wounded an off-duty police officer on Thursday as he dropped his child off at a school in Northern Ireland.
UK woman first to be guilty under new terrorism laws
A British-born woman, who liked to use the name the "Lyrical Terrorist", became the first woman to be convicted in Britain under new security laws after being found guilty of possessing terrorism-related documents.
Sexual flings abroad put young Britons at risk
One in five young Britons has sex with a new partner when travelling abroad, putting them at risk of contracting HIV and other diseases, researchers said on Thursday.
New York musician gets 15 years for backing al Qaeda
A New York jazz musician was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Wednesday for agreeing to help train al Qaeda fighters in hand-to-hand combat in a case that centered on an oath he took before an undercover FBI agent.
UK Christian groups unite to tackle poverty and homelessness
Christian homelessness charity Housing Justice has joined with Scottish Churches Housing Action, Church Action on Poverty and the Church Urban Fund to launch an investigation into the experience of poverty, homelessness and bad housing across Britain.
Evangelical & ecumenical leaders in landmark conversations on unity
Representatives of the worldwide evangelical and ecumenical movements have gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, this week to pave the way for closer collaboration.
'Golden Compass' author denies promoting atheism in books
British author Phillip Pullman has publicly denied allegations that his work, including The Golden Compass which is being adapted onto the big screen, is anti-Catholic and promotes atheism.