News
US evangelicals call for step back from politics
A group of US evangelical leaders called on Wednesday for a pullback from party politics so that followers would not become "useful idiots" exploited for partisan gain.
Palestinian Bible Society head to speak on challenges of war
Labib Madanat, who leads the Bible Society in Palestine, will be speaking at the annual Churches' Media Conference on 9 -11 June.
Bank of England set to hold rates
The Bank of England looks more likely to leave interest rates on hold rather than cut them later on Thursday, but a stream of dismal data over recent days has made the decision a close call.
Brown bats off taunts after poll rout
Gordon Brown, reeling from a drubbing in local polls, sought to allay voters' concerns over the economy on Wednesday in the face of taunts from an opposition that can smell victory at the next general election.
PM praises Christians, endorses Global Day of Prayer
Prime Minister Gordon Brown hosted a reception at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday in honour of the Global Day of Prayer London taking place at Millwall football stadium this Sunday.
Aid flight delays fuel frustration with Burma junta
With up to 100,000 people feared killed in Burma's cyclone and an estimated 1 million homeless, frustration grew on Thursday over the military government's inability to allow international aid into the country.
Emotions high as Olympic torch scales Everest
The Olympic flame reached the top of Mount Everest on Thursday, an emotional moment for China and the crowning of the Beijing Olympics torch relay that was dogged by anti-Chinese protests on its world tour.
Clinton gives herself loan and vows to fight on
Barack Obama took a commanding lead in the Democratic presidential race on Wednesday, but Hillary Clinton said she would fight on after loaning her campaign $6.4 million (3.27 million pounds) to keep it alive.
Berlusconi forms new Italy government
Silvio Berlusconi unveiled his new conservative government on Wednesday and gave top posts to close allies in one of Italy's most right-wing cabinets since World War Two.
Seen from above, volcanic ash paints Chile white
Looking down over the ash cloud soaring from Chaiten volcano in southern Chile, the whole area is carpeted in white and experts say the eruption that began last week could last for months.
Appeals court says BP blast deal violates U.S. law
A U.S. federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday that a plea bargain between prosecutors and BP violated the rights of victims of a deadly 2005 explosion at the company's giant Texas refinery.
Hezbollah piles pressure on Lebanese government
Iranian-backed Hezbollah tightened its grip on Beirut airport on Thursday, piling pressure on Lebanon's U.S.-backed government on the second day of a protest campaign that has triggered gunbattles in the capital.
Technical flaws mar hearing in new Guantanamo court
Osama bin Laden's suspected "media director" rejected U.S. terrorism court proceedings and renewed his allegiance to the al Qaeda leader on Wednesday in a hearing marred by technical flaws in a new Guantanamo courtroom.
U.S. and NATO battle on uneven Afghan patchwork
Last week U.S. Captain Roger Hill led a patrol into the Jaldez valley, just southwest of Kabul, and was immediately ambushed from three sides by 50 Taliban fighters armed with rocket-propelled grenades.
Pakistan tests nuclear-capable cruise missile
Pakistan successfully tested a nuclear-capable, air-launched cruise missile with a range of 350 km (220 miles) on Thursday, the military said, a day after India tested a long-range missile.
Uganda rebels say Kony will meet mediators
Uganda's fugitive guerrilla Joseph Kony will meet mediators on Saturday on the Sudan-Congo border and may even sign a final peace deal, a rebel negotiator said on Wednesday.