News
Watchdog wants public inquiry into prison policy
The prisons watchdog on Wednesday called for a public inquiry into penal policy in England and Wales, saying the government's criminal justice strategy was incoherent.
Police to be given more freedom to stop and search
Police are to be given greater freedom to stop and search suspects in the street under plans to cut knife crime being considered by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, media reports said on Wednesday.
Victim wins right to sue 'Lotto rapist'
The victim of a sex attacker who went on to win millions of pounds on the lottery won the right to sue him on Wednesday.
Superbug hospital infections fall in England
The level of hospital-acquired infections in England is continuing to fall, official figures showed on Wednesday, suggesting that government-ordered measures to tackle potentially deadly superbugs are working.
Mortgage approvals slump to record low in Dec
Mortgage approvals for house purchase fell for a seventh consecutive month in December to the lowest since records began in 1999, Bank of England data showed on Wednesday.
McCain and Romney look toward next fight
John McCain and Mitt Romney looked ahead on Wednesday to the next sprawling battles in a heated Republican presidential race that is about to have one less combatant -- former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Kenyans call for an end to bloodshed
Kenyans pleaded on Wednesday for an end to violence that has killed 850 people and created unprecedented horror in the east African nation's darkest moment since 1963 independence.
Millions stranded by snow in China holiday havoc
Millions of Chinese shivered through power cuts and water shortages on Wednesday and millions more were stranded by snow ahead of what for some is the only holiday of the year.
Kosovo independence declaration possible in 10 days
Kosovo will declare independence from Serbia with Western backing the weekend after the February 3 Serbian presidential election if the nationalist candidate wins, political sources said on Wednesday.
Strong East Timor quake triggers tsunami warning
The Indonesian meteorology agency issued a tsunami warning on Wednesday after an undersea quake at 6.6 strength on the Richter scale hit offshore East Timor.
Hamas demands say over Gaza border ahead of talks
Hamas on Wednesday demanded a central role in controlling the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt in an open challenge to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of crisis talks in Cairo.
Christians challenged to kick out Aids in 20 years
ACET founder Dr Patrick Dixon recently challenged Christians engaged with HIV and Aids to work together to beat the disease in the next 20 years.
Archbishop - society should not leave the sacred unprotected
The sacred should be protected in society, says the Archbishop of Canterbury.
New website to attract more men to Catholic priesthood
A leading Roman Catholic seminary has re-vamped its website in the hope of attracting more men to the priesthood.
Church will not stay silent on climate change - Moderator
Moderator vows to keep climate change high on Church of Scotland agenda.
US Baptists seek to mend rifts at Atlanta meeting
David Gushee gave his life to Jesus in a Southern Baptist church when he was a teen.