News

Commodity tax proposed to fund 'Bank of the South'

Ivory Coast's president has proposed introducing a special tax on developing countries' exports of raw materials like oil and cocoa to finance a "Bank of the South" to fight world poverty.

Southern Baptists worried by decline in baptisms

Baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention have fallen to a 20-year low, a trend that is setting off alarm bells in America's largest evangelical denomination.

Vatican cardinal says world obsessed by Islam

The world is obsessed by Islam, according to the Vatican's point man for relations with other religions.

Obama in private meeting with Christian leaders

Barack Obama has shared his position with US Christian leaders on a wide range of issues including gay rights, abortion and the Iraq war in a private meeting on Tuesday.

Brown faces major test in detention vote

Prime Minister Gordon Brown faces a major test of his authority on Wednesday when parliament votes on whether to extend the period terrorism suspects can be held without charge.

Woman kept quiet about London terrorist plot

The partner of a man who tried to carry out a suicide bombing in London in July 2005 was found guilty on Wednesday of not telling the authorities about the plot and helping him escape.

MS victim wins assisted suicide review

A woman with multiple sclerosis has won the right to mount a challenge in the High Court to force the country's top prosecutor to clarify the law on assisted suicide.

Investor summit to be held on new nuclear build

The government will meet around 80 senior nuclear power industry players on Thursday to help the government draw up a road-map towards the building of new nuclear power stations.

Portrait competition explores age and faith

All four portraits shortlisted for this year's BP Portrait Award are by male artists featuring female subjects, and several works selected for a special exhibition deal with ageing and faith.

Bush issues Iran warning on farewell Europe tour

U.S. President George W. Bush threatened Iran on Wednesday with more sanctions if it failed to stop enriching uranium and said all options were on the table to thwart Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Irish govt hopes for EU treaty win

The Irish government said it hoped voters would back the European Union's reform treaty but the race was very close before Thursday's referendum.

Canada to apologize for abuse of native children

Canada, seeking to close one of the darkest chapters in its history, will formally apologize on Wednesday for forcing 150,000 aboriginal children into grim residential schools, where many say they were abused.

Malaysia says no fuel price rises as pressure mounts

Malaysia's prime minister ruled out any more increases in fuel prices this year to try to contain growing public anger and pressure over soaring fuel costs mounted on other governments in Asia and Europe.

Ousted Nepal king leaves palace for last time

Nepal's ousted King Gyanendra swept out of his sprawling official palace in a black limousine for the last time on Wednesday, two weeks after a special assembly abolished the 239-year-old Hindu monarchy.

New web resource to recover fatherhood from social margins

Dads got together at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday to launch DadTalk.co.uk, a new web resource to strengthen and support fathers in their role as a parent and change perceptions of fatherhood in society.

Krystal Meyers readying third album 'Make Some Noise' for autum release

Pop artist Krystal Meyers will release her third, in-studio album, Make Some Noise, on September 16, 2008.