News
Vatican defends Christian missionaries against Hindu activists
The Vatican told Indians on Monday that it was impossible to forcibly convert anyone to another religion, amid accusations by Hindu activists that missionaries are pressuring poor Indians to adopt Christianity.
Climate change threatens national security, says US report
Climate change could end globalization by 2040 as nations look inward to conserve scarce resources and conflicts flare when refugees flee rising seas and drought, national security experts warned on Monday.
Mother dies after refusing blood transfusion over faith fears
Jehovah's Witnesses said on Monday they are concerned for the family of a young mother who died after giving birth to twins because her faith prevented her from accepting a blood transfusion.
Mexico floods recede as thousands more evacuated
Thousands more people were plucked from rooftops in southern Mexico on Sunday even as floods that have left 800,000 people homeless in Tabasco state began to recede, authorities said.
MI5 head reveals thousands of potential terrorists in UK
The head of the MI5 intelligence agency has said Monday that it knows of at least 2,000 British-based individuals who posed a direct threat to national security because of their support for terrorism.
U.S., Britain pressure Pakistan's Musharraf as hundreds are arrested
The United States and Britain heaped pressure on Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf on Monday, urging him to hold elections on time, as police detained hundreds of lawyers angry at his imposition of emergency rule.
Rights groups push UK to charge ex-Sri Lanka Tiger
Rights groups pushed on Monday for ex-Sri Lankan rebel Karuna Amman to be charged with war crimes in Britain where he is detained by immigration authorities, fearing he could be deported back home within days.
Baptists commission members for long-term mission abroad
BMS World Mission publicly commissioned three of its future long-term workers on Friday night 2 November at the Baptist Assembly in Scotland.
Free speech under attack in Australia, reveals report
Free speech was being whittled away in Australia by a culture of secrecy and censorship, complicated freedom of information laws and manipulation of information by governments and public relations firms, a report said on Monday.
Quarter of Irish plan EU treaty 'Yes' vote - poll
Just 25 percent of Irish voters plan to back the European Union's planned reform treaty in a referendum next year when a "No" vote from one of the bloc's smallest countries could topple the project, a new poll showed.
Ethiopia, Eritrea may go to war 'in weeks', says report
Horn of Africa enemies Ethiopia and Eritrea may return to war over their disputed border in a matter of weeks if there is no major international push to halt them, an influential think-tank warned on Monday.
Future of Worcester hospitals chaplaincy secured
The Chairman and Chief Executive of Worcester Royal Hospitals NHS Trust have confirmed that chaplaincy provision at the Trust is secure for the future.
Iraqi translators offered help by Britain
Britain will start accepting applications for refuge and financial assistance from Iraqi translators and others who have worked with British forces in Iraq, the British military said on Monday.
Italy coalition divided over immigration crackdown
Cracks in Italy's centre-left coalition widened on Monday over emergency legislation giving police greater powers to expel European Union immigrants.
Egyptian policemen get jail with labour for torture
A Cairo court sentenced two policemen to three years in prison on Monday for torturing a man almost two years ago in a case that sparked a public outrage in Egypt and drew criticism from international rights groups.
Energy boom brings mining jobs back to Wales
Two decades ago, Britain was shutting collieries and coal miners were staging desperate and sometimes violent strikes in a vain attempt to save their jobs.