News
Minister killed in Sudan plane crash
Southern Sudan's minister of defence and a presidential adviser were among at least 23 people killed on Friday in a plane crash blamed on engine failure, officials said.
U.S. ponders Guantanamo closure as Bush term ends
The Bush administration could announce plans by the end of its term in January to close Guantanamo prison and an upcoming Supreme Court ruling might be the impetus for this, senior U.S. officials and experts say.
Himalayan snowfall hits Everest Olympic torch bid
China's bold plan to take a special Olympic torch to the top of Mount Everest faced a possible setback on Saturday as snow fell on the world's highest mountain.
UK soldier killed by mine in Afghanistan
A British soldier died and four others were wounded in a mine blast in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the Ministry of Defence said on Saturday.
Big rise in drink arrests of women
The number of women arrested for being drunk and disorderly has risen by more than 50 percent in the past five years, and soared by over 1,000 percent in some areas, police figures showed on Friday.
MPs reiterate call for biofuel moratorium
The country should pull back from policies promoting biofuels and resist attempts to increase European Union targets until safeguards are in place to protect the environment, a parliamentary committee said on Friday.
What the Bank has to weigh up next week
The Bank of England is expected to hold interest rates steady next week but grim economic news clearly leaves open the possibility of another quarter-point cut as the central bank prepares its new forecasts.
Brown preparing relaunch after poll drubbing
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is preparing a new legislative programme focusing on the economy, health, education and constitutional reform, to fight back as soon as next week after a drubbing in local elections.
Defra raises concern over bee colony losses
Investigations into the decimation of bee colonies have been stepped up after more severe losses this year, the government said on Friday.
900 new churchgoers six months after 'Back to Church Sunday'
Six months after the Back to Church Sunday evangelistic campaign, figures from the Diocese of Lichfield show that between 700 and 900 of the 6,000 people who came Back to Church in the area on 29 September last year are now regular churchgoers.
Alan Sugar tops Britain's choice for quiz team
You're hired! Sir Alan Sugar is Britain's top choice for a quiz team.
Scottish Bible Society seeks funds for conflict-ridden Congo
A new appeal by the Scottish Bible Society aims to raise funds to help people in the vast and conflict-ridden Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa.
World Vision international president to step down 2010
The international president of World Vision, the largest Christian humanitarian aid organisation, announced today that he plans to retire from his role in September 2010.
Nanjing, China, becomes Bible printing capital of the world
Thirty years ago the Bible was banned there, but now China has one of the biggest Bible factories in the world.
Conservatives' London win shows taste for change
Boris Johnson's triumph in the London mayoral poll shows a thirst for change among voters that does not bode well for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Leprosy Mission welcomes UN Convention on disabled rights
The Leprosy Mission has welcomed the UN's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which comes into force on 3 May, as "excellent news" for millions of people worldwide who have been left disabled by leprosy.