News
EU Chief to Assess Greek Forest Fire as Churches, Villages Destroyed
The European Union's regional policy chief will visit Greece on Friday to assess how much financial aid the bloc can award to help deal with the damage caused by the country's worst forest fires in decades.
EU Executive May Probe Catholic Church's Tax Breaks
The European Commission has asked Italy for information about tax breaks it gives to the Roman Catholic Church on income from property, after receiving complaints that they amount to illegal state aid.
The God of Justice
Sometimes, unfair things happen. A relationship doesn't work out, or a friend betrays us. Maybe you worked really hard...
UK Prison Officers Stage Surprise Strike
Thousands of British prison officers launched a surprise 24-hour strike on Wednesday, their first ever national stoppage.
British MPs Say Darfur Peacekeepers Must Use Force
U.N. and African Union peacekeeping troops in Darfur must respond with force if attacked by armed groups, British parliamentarians said on Wednesday.
Taliban Releases Third Group of Korean Hostages
The Taliban has freed 12 South Korean hostages in Afghanistan on Wednesday, a day after reaching a deal with negotiators on the release of the 19 Christian volunteers.
UN to Examine Needs, Violence in Ethiopia
The United Nations plans to send a fact-finding mission to Ethiopia's Ogaden region where separatist rebels who killed 74 people in an April attack say they are facing the toughest government crackdown in years.
U.S. Pushes Sudan to Cooperate More on Darfur
The United States pressed Sudan on Tuesday to cooperate more in enabling the deployment of a joint United Nations-African Union force into its violent Darfur region.
HIV Self-Tests Ineffective in High-Risk Individuals
In a study conducted at two major HIV centers in Singapore, rapid HIV self-tests were used improperly, or the results were interpreted incorrectly, by individuals at risk for HIV infection or those who were already infected.
Pope prays for victims of Greek fires, Asia floods
Pope Benedict prayed on Wednesday for victims of forest fires in Greece that have killed at least 63 people in the past week, and for victims of Asian floods that have killed thousands.
Wind Turbine Park to Provide Green Energy Off UK Coast
E.ON plans to erect around 80 wind turbines 8 kilometers (5 miles) off England's Yorkshire coast, the German utility said on Wednesday, enough to supply up to 200,000 homes with clean energy.
South Korea Churches to End Afghan Missionary Work
South Korean missionary groups said on Wednesday they would pull out of Afghanistan to comply with a deal Seoul struck with Taliban insurgents for the release of 19 Christian volunteers held for almost six weeks.
Tesco in Poland Criticised for Ignoring Church Festival Trading Ban
Supermarket giant Tesco is under fire from Polish church and trade union officials after it ignored a new ban on trading during Roman Catholic festivals, and remained open on a holy feast day.
Church of Ireland Plans Future with New Parish Groupings
The Church of Ireland Benefice of Christ Church, Londonderry, and the Grouped Parishes of Culmore, Muff and St Peter's are to be amalgamated into a new parochial group.
Taliban Releases Three Female South Korean Hostages
Joy and relief as Taliban releases three female South Korean hostages, the first of 19 to be freed in exchange for the withdrawal of South Korean troops from Afghanistan.
VeggieTales Introduces 'Wonderful Wizard of Ha's'
This autumn, Big Idea introduces an all-new family adventure VeggieTales: The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's, the story of a prodigal son.