Turkey gives U.S. no timeframe on Iraq operation

Turkey has given no clear timeframe for ending its military operations against Kurdish PKK rebels in northern Iraq, U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates told reporters on Thursday after talks with Turkish officials.

Gates also reiterated Washington's call for the operation, now in its seventh day, to be as short and carefully targeted as possible. Turkey's Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul said Turkish troops would withdraw once they had accomplished their goal.
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Church body urges restraint in Armenian church conflict
Church body urges restraint in Armenian church conflict

Relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the government are currently strained.

Pastors can endorse political candidates without risking tax-exempt status, says IRS
Pastors can endorse political candidates without risking tax-exempt status, says IRS

The Internal Revenue Service agreed on Monday that pastors and other religious leaders can endorse political candidates to their congregation without threatening their tax-exempt status under a decades-old legislation called the Johnson Amendment.

Nationwide study reveals strong public support for preserving historic churches
Nationwide study reveals strong public support for preserving historic churches

A major new study by Historic England has revealed that communities across the country place significantly higher value on historic churches than on their modern counterparts—regardless of religious affiliation or church attendance.

Labour’s first year: looking back, praying forward 
Labour’s first year: looking back, praying forward 

As we take stock of the first year of this Labour administration, let’s commit to praying for good government.