News

Asia struggles to meet UN development goals

Developing countries in Asia are struggling to meet the UN-set millennium goals although the region is on course to cut extreme poverty, a report released on Monday showed.

Vietnamese villages submerged as floods kill 67

The homes of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese villagers were still underwater on Monday after days of some of the worst flooding in decades that killed up to 67 people.

16 new priests ordained in Lichfield Diocese

The Bishops of Shrewsbury, Stafford and Wolverhampton have ordained 16 new priests this weekend.

Church clergy warned to remove dog-collars to prevent attacks

A British Christian group has warned Catholic and Anglican clergy should remove their clerical collars when off-duty so that they will not be singled-out for attack.

UK skate ministry to hold first ever conference

The UK Skate Ministry Network will host a conference next month for leaders involved in ministry to skate culture.

Chinese Christians celebrate first church permission in 70 years

The Chinese Catholic community in Yan'an, a city in the Shaanxi province in China, is celebrating a landmark decision that has allowed it to build its first church in more than 70 years.

New Prophet Muhammad cartoon riots kill Christians in Nigeria

As religious violence breaks out again in Nigeria in a row over cartoons of Mohammed, a Christian student has been describing how he had to run for his life after being accused of drawing of the Muslim prophet Muhammed.

Recipes for Disaster cookbook raising thousands for Tearfund

Fast-selling charity cookbook Recipes for Disaster... Relief and Development tops 3,000 sales.

EU urged to renew Uzbekistan sanctions amid deteriorating human rights

EU member states have been urged to recognise the deteriorating human rights situation and continuing limitation of religious freedom in Uzbekistan as they meet to consider the renewal of sanctions against the country.

An Old Testament prophet inspires 21st century action in Africa

Christians in Zambia are living out the call of the Old Testament prophet Micah to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God in their efforts to halt the spread of HIV and Aids.

New research reveals drastic cuts in hospital chaplaincy

New research reveals for the first time the extent to which overspending and financial pressures in the NHS are leading to cuts in chaplaincy provision.

Race, religion still divisive issues in Malaysia

Fifty years after independence, race and religion remain divisive issues in Malaysia, with the nation at times coming "close to the brink of disaster", Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

Brown under fire after ruling out election

Gordon Brown came under the first real pressure of his premiership on Sunday as newspapers, opponents and even allies accused him of stoking election fever only to retreat in the face of collapsing polls. After weeks of hinting an election was coming, the British prime minister ruled out calling an early vote after opinion polls showed a double-digit lead over his opponents had evaporated in a week.