British Isles
Lent: Pray differently, praying great things
14 Feb 2013
Praying can be frustrating. Most Christians are convinced that they should pray more than they do. But it’s hard. Some don’t pray because they don’t know what to say. It can seem that the best praying…
UK sees rise in suicides
14 Feb 2013
2011 saw a significant rise in the number of people in the UK taking their own life, according to new figures. According to the Office for National Statistics, some 6,045 people committed suicide in 2011, up…
Radical police integrity reforms announced
14 Feb 2013
Theresa May introduced measures to root out police corruption. All officers must declare second jobs they do. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will expand to investigate all serious complaints. Last year the IPCC investigated only…
Million 'dementia friends' needed
14 Feb 2013
Comedians Jo Brand and Meera Syal have become two of England's first 'dementia friends', in an initiative launched by the Alzheimer's Society. And the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has pledged to become one too. The scheme…
MPs confirm public order law reform
14 Feb 2013
MPs have confirmed that a controversial public order law that criminalises ‘insulting’ words or behaviour will be reformed to give greater freedom of speech. The move follows the Government giving way on the issue last month,…
Govt minister sacked for opposing gay marriage
11 Feb 2013
Former Government minister Tim Loughton was sacked because of his opposition to redefining marriage, according to reports. He was removed from his ministerial post in September’s Government reshuffle, and close friends say it was because of…