News
Brown urged to delay EU treaty decision
A High Court judge called on the government on Friday to delay formal ratification of the European Union's Lisbon treaty until he has ruled on a legal bid to force a referendum.
EU faces treaty obstacle after Irish 'no'
The EU faced a new obstacle in its bid to salvage a reform treaty as leaders said on Friday Prague had a problem quickly ratifying it after Ireland's "No" vote.
Tsvangirai mulls abandoning run-off
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is considering whether to pull out of the June 27 presidential run-off election, fearing it will be a charade, a spokesman said on Friday.
Nigeria president tells army to bolster oil security
Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua has ordered the country's armed forces to tighten security in the Niger Delta and hunt down militants behind an attack on Shell's main offshore oil facility, his office said on Friday.
Tibet under tight guard for Olympic torch
Tibet's capital Lhasa was under tight security as it prepared to host the Olympic Games torch on Saturday in a show of China's grip over the region, with officials claiming independence activists planned sabotage.
Gospel icons honoured at Grammy event
Gospel legends Edwin and Walter Hawkins, Sandi Patty, and The Winans were honoured for their contributions to Gospel music Wednesday night during an event paying tribute to the soulful genre.
Douglas Gresham: On his stepfather CS Lewis and the new film Prince Caspian
CS Lewis' stepson, Douglas Gresham, on the man behind the books and why their message is as important as ever.
Scottish churches to tackle homelessness at local level
Members of churches in Oban, north-west Scotland, have decided to plan a local initiative to help people who become homeless.
Leeds minister to run Chicago Marathon for Methodist housing agency
A Leeds minister is raising funds for Methodist housing agency MHA by running in the Chicago Marathon and the Great North Run.
Liberal Judaism backs Christian Aid climate change campaign
Representatives of the Jewish movement Liberal Judaism this week joined forces with international development agency Christian Aid to press for a Climate Change Bill that will help protect poor and vulnerable communities around the world.
Pastor seminar attacked, police refuse to take action
Amidst escalating persecution and deteriorating security, a pastors' training seminar in Karnataka, India, was attacked by Hindu radicals on Tuesday.
Hanoi-Vatican ties still far off after talks
Vietnam's communist rulers are easing restrictions on Catholics after a history of land and ecclesiastical disputes, but formal ties with the Vatican appear far off, according to diplomats and government statements.
Conservative Anglican summit hit by leader's visa problem
A summit of conservative bishops challenging the worldwide Anglican Communion over homosexuality and biblical authority has got off to a shaky start after its leader could not enter Jordan for a planning session.
Vatican envoy praises religious peace in Belarus
A senior Vatican envoy praised good relations between different faiths in Belarus on Thursday at the start of a visit which could help smooth the ex-Soviet state's turbulent relations with the West.
Alive and Kicking campaigns against liberalisation of abortion law
As abortion figures in England and Wales hit a record high on Thursday, the Alive and Kicking Alliance called on Parliament to reject attempts to further liberalise the abortion law and to instead embrace measures to bring down the spiralling rates that have made Britain the abortion capital of Europe.
Bank says MPC has to balance competing risks
The weakening in the British economy argues for further interest rate cuts but policymakers need to balance that against rising inflationary pressures, Bank of England Deputy Governor John Gieve said on Thursday.