News
New $16.5m Bethlehem hospital unites Abrahamic faiths
Christians broke ground Tuesday on Bethlehem's first speciality hospital, which organisers hope will be a centre bringing together Christians, Jews, and Palestinians to heal the sick in a land rife with sectarian violence.
Assad says Mideast peace in 2008 unlikely due to U.S. vote
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said achieving Middle East peace in 2008 looked unrealistic because the United States would be preoccupied with the presidential election.
Putin is Time magazine's 'Person of the Year'
Russian President Vladimir Putin was named Time magazine's "Person of the Year" for 2007 on Wednesday for bringing his country "roaring back to the table of world power."
Jesus' birthplace to host major Christmas Eve festival
Bethlehem's Manger Square, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, will host its largest event since 1999 on Christmas Eve this year.
'Reasonable assumption' BoE's King will get 2nd term
It is reasonable to assume that Bank of England Governor Mervyn King will be appointed for a second five-year term as head of the central bank early next year, a government source told Reuters on Wednesday.
Bradford & Bingley not eyeing N.Rock
Britain's biggest buy-to-let lender Bradford & Bingley (B&B) denied a report it was considering a bid for part of troubled lender Northern Rock.
Lily Allen expecting first child
Pop star Lily Allen is pregnant with her first baby, her publicist announced on Wednesday.
Rule change to stoke London housing shortage
Plans by the Greater London Authority (GLA) to force small property developers to build more affordable housing could exacerbate the capital's housing shortage, CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) said on Wednesday.
Police officers face charges over man's car death
Two police officers face charges of causing death by dangerous driving after a pensioner died when his car collided with a police vehicle carrying out speed checks.
MP doubts his existence over Facebook ban
An MP has had his Facebook account suspended after the site decided he wasn't real.
LibDems pick Clegg to revive fortunes
The Liberal Democrats elected 40-year-old Nick Clegg as their third leader in two years on Tuesday, handing him the task of improving their battered electoral fortunes and restoring party harmony.
Church head praises leading South African presidential candidate
The man widely predicted to become South Africa's next president has been praised as a patient and caring leader by the church which ordained him as pastor.
Christian escapes repatriation to North Korea
Yoo Sang-joon, a North Korean Christian who was put on trial in China for helping North Korean refugees has been repatriated to South Korea, where he also holds citizenship.
Vatican releases note to end 'growing confusion' on evangelisation
The Vatican has released a detailed note in response to concerns that its mission work across the world could be hindered by incorrect ideas about evangelisation.
Violence continues in Iraq as Christian girl shot dead
According to police officials in Iraq a Christian girl was shot dead on Sunday when unidentified gunmen opened fire in the area of al-Nabi Younes (the prophet Jonah) in central Mosul.
Israeli plan for homes near Jerusalem under fire
Israel's Housing Ministry has drawn up a preliminary proposal to build new homes on occupied land in Arab East Jerusalem but Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said on Wednesday the plan has not been authorised.