News
Thai PM vows to end anti-government protests
Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said on Saturday he would crack down on anti-government protests that have ignited fears of a military coup.
One soldier dead in Afghan suicide blast
A suicide car bomber killed one foreign soldier and wounded six other people, including three civilians, in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar on Saturday, the provincial governor said.
Sudan proposes joint administration for oil-rich Abyei
Sudan's government has proposed a joint north-south administration for the oil-rich flashpoint Abyei area where clashes displaced tens of thousands of people this month, state media said on Friday.
Tropical Storm Alma dies out over Central America
Alma, the first tropical storm of the hurricane season, lost its strength on Friday over Central America, sparing oil platforms in southern Mexico after slamming parts of the region with deadly winds and rain.
Meeting adopts cluster bomb ban, debates loopholes
More than 100 nations formally agreed on Friday to ban the use of cluster bombs but debate continued on loopholes that could benefit powers such as the United States, which has refused to take part in talks on a ban.
Two dead in New York crane collapse
A large crane collapsed in New York City on Friday, killing two people and damaging an apartment building on Manhattan's Upper East Side - a day after city officials investigated the crane's operations.
Anti-smoking measures in spotlight
The government launched a three-month public consultation on Saturday on how to cut the number of people smoking in Britain.
Two toddlers dead after suspected stabbing
Police are investigating the deaths of a five-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl who are believed to have been stabbed in south London, Scotland Yard said on Saturday.
Campaigners to rally against Heathrow expansion
Campaigners opposed to Heathrow's proposed third runway are hoping thousands of people will attend a rally against the airport's expansion on Saturday.
Gay couples vow to wed in Greece despite opposition from Church
Couples who have found a legal loophole to hold the first gay weddings in Greece are determined to go ahead with the services despite threats from prosecutors and the wrath of the powerful Orthodox church.
China crackdown hits house churches hard
The Chinese Government has stepped up its persecution of house churches in a wave of arrests and detentions, says China Aid Association.
Church must lead way in building better future for Northern Ireland - group
The Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland has told churches to respond to the findings of the Consultative Group on the Past by doing their part to take on sectarianism.
Great Big Tea Party throws spotlight on world's persecuted Christians
There is no denying that Brits love a good cuppa, but what most are not aware of is the intense persecution endured by Christians who live in the countries where the tea is grown, says Open Doors' Allen Moxham.
Parsons tells churches: Be more than relevant
Care for the Family's Rob Parsons is appealing to churches to reach out and meet the needs of the people in their communities.
Algeria shuts down 26 Protestant churches
Persecution watchdogs sounded the alarm this week after learning that authorities in predominantly Muslim Algeria have closed half the Protestant churches in the country over the last six months.
S African head of church grouping 'anguished' about xenophobia
The head of Africa's biggest church grouping says he is hurt and tormented by a wave of attacks against foreigners in South Africa that have claimed the lives of at least 50 people, causing self-revulsion in a nation that once prided itself for post-apartheid tolerance.