News
Mortgage approvals hit new record low in June
Mortgage approvals for house purchases dived by more than two thirds in June from a year ago to hit a fresh record low of 21,118, the British Bankers' Association said on Wednesday.
Greece charges Briton with strangling baby
A Greek prosecutor has charged a 20-year-old British woman with strangling her newborn baby after giving birth in a hotel room on the Mediterranean island of Crete, a court official said on Wednesday.
EU slams Bulgaria on corruption
The European Commission issued a scathing indictment of corruption in Bulgaria on Wednesday, suspending aid worth hundreds of millions of euros (dollars) and barring two key payments agencies from receiving EU funds.
US senator praises pastor repudiated by McCain
One of John McCain's most prominent supporters on Tuesday praised an evangelical leader whom the Republican presidential candidate repudiated after a string of controversial remarks were made public.
Hope 08 looking to long term in Cambridge
Hope for Cambridge is set to become a registered charity, laying the foundation for Hope 08 to serve the city in "word and action mission" well into 2009 and beyond.
Manchester teenager wins 'Urban Hero of the Year' award
A servant-hearted teenager from Harpurhey, Manchester, was named the first ever 'Urban Hero of the Year' at a prestigious awards ceremony at Manchester United's Old Trafford home last Friday.
Beijing hires Catholic priests for more Games masses
Catholic churches in Beijing will hire foreign priests to conduct masses to meet the demands of Games visitors from overseas, state media reported on Tuesday, citing church officials.
Zimbabwe bishop hopeful after Mugabe and MDC agree to talk
The Bishop of Harare spoke of his hope for Zimbabwe's future after hearing that President Robert Mugabe and opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai are to enter talks.
Doctors to face regular tests of competence
Doctors will have to show they are fit to practice once every five years under plans to be published by Chief Medical Officer Liam Donaldson on Wednesday.
Bank split three ways on rate direction in July
One Bank of England policymaker wanted to hike rates this month, another wanted a cut but the remaining seven chose to keep borrowing costs steady as both the inflation and growth outlook had worsened.
Watchdog urges doctors to cut antibiotics
Doctors should slash the number of times they prescribe antibiotics for respiratory tract infections because the drugs rarely help, the country's drug cost watchdog said on Wednesday.
British soldier killed in Afghanistan
A British soldier was killed and two others were wounded when their patrol came under attack in southern Afghanistan, Britain's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.
NICE confirms limited use of drug stents
Drug-coated stents - used to prop open clogged coronary arteries - can continue to be used on Britain's state health service but only for certain high-risk patients, the country's health cost-effectiveness watchdog said.
Christian Bale denies assault allegation
Actor Christian Bale, star of the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight," on Tuesday denied allegations of assault made by his mother and sister after he was questioned by London police.
Obama vows support for Israel in Jerusalem visit
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama pledged staunch support for Israel during a visit to Jerusalem on Wednesday and said, if elected, he would work to invigorate the Middle East peace process.
Rice to push North Korea on verifying disarmament
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will push North Korea's foreign minister hard in their first ever meeting on Wednesday to prove the North's disarmament efforts are serious, U.S. officials said.