News
French police keep tight grip on riot-hit suburb
Hundreds of French riot police deployed on Wednesday night in the tense Paris suburb where the death of two boys in a motorcyle accident triggered violent clashes earlier in the week.
Olmert says Palestinian state crucial for Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said after peace talks in Washington that failure to negotiate a two-state solution with the Palestinians could threaten Israel's long-term survival.
Musharraf starts second term facing sea of woe
Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf began his second term as president on Thursday, facing widespread resentment at home, pressure from Western allies to tackle Islamist militancy and a difficult shift to life as a civilian.
Botched coup bid in Philippines ends
Elite military and police units stormed the Manila Peninsula Hotel on Thursday, ending a short-lived coup attempt by a small group of soldiers and others who had called on the army to mutiny.
Troops may wait 20 years for better homes
Some troops and their families could be stuck in "simply unacceptable" housing for 20 years due to cutbacks and slow renovation work, MPs said in a damning report on Thursday.
Watchdog issues alert over four Chinese medicines
People should stop taking four traditional Chinese medicines on sale in Britain that contain an acid linked to cancer and kidney failure, the drug safety watchdog said on Thursday.
Police carry out national gun crime crackdown
Hundreds of real and imitation firearms were seized during a nationwide "Day of Action" aimed at tackling violent crime among young people, the Home Office said on Thursday.
Elderly man charged with girl's 1961 murder
A 70-year-old man is due to appear in court on Thursday charged with the murder of a teenage girl 46 years ago.
UK teacher in court over teddy bear case
A British teacher accused of insulting Muslims after her class called a teddy bear Mohammed appeared in court in Khartoum on Thursday as Sudanese authorities whipped a man outside the courthouse.
House prices see biggest fall in years
House prices fell at their sharpest rate in more than twelve years in November, the Nationwide building society said on Thursday, in another sign the property market is cooling fast.
Harman rejects jibes about 'sleazy labour'
Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman denied any wrongdoing in the party funding row on Thursday, rejecting opposition claims that voters think the government is "sleazy".
Chinese house church leader tells of plight of Chinese Christians
The China Aid Association (CAA) has released an open letter written by a prominent Chinese Christian leader to the Chinese President and Communist Party Leader, Hu Jintao.
Church of Scotland rejects Golden Compass boycott calls
The Church of Scotland has rejected calls to boycott the Golden Compass movie and instead published a leaflet to mark the film's release.
CSW disappointed at Vietnamese Christian lawyers appeal verdict
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) today expressed disappointment that Vietnamese Christian lawyers Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan were not released after their appeal hearing at the Supreme People's Court yesterday, but welcomed the reduction of their sentences.
Christians work for democracy in Pakistan
Christians in Pakistan have been working to restore democracy in their country since the imposition of emergency rule on 3 November by President Pervez Musharraf.
Aids leaves Africa's grannies to raise children
Skinny and gap-toothed, her nose smudged with black dust, grandmother Kanotu Mumo sorts charcoal into small pots for sale on the stoop of her slum hut.