News
Tough language on Tibet despite China talks offer
Chinese media kept up its tough language on the Dalai Lama on Saturday, a day after a surprise offer of talks with his envoys, as analysts expressed caution about whether dialogue would ease tensions in Tibet.
World Food Program launches emergency call for Haiti
The World Food Program lacks crucially needed funds to help feed Haiti's poor, and international donors must provide urgent and massive aid, a spokesman for the United Nations agency said on Thursday.
Japan PM Fukuda gives no clue on snap poll
Embattled Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, plagued by sagging public support, gave no clue on Saturday as to whether he would call an early general election.
Iraq's Sadr tells fighters to observe truce
Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr pulled back from confrontation with the government on Friday, asking his followers to continue to observe a shaky ceasefire and not to battle government troops.
Malaysian politician apologises for knife act
A senior Malaysian politician has apologised for parading a knife at ruling-party meetings, acknowledging it had upset minority racial communities who later punished the government at elections held last month.
Renewed east Congo fighting hampers relief efforts
United Nations agencies suspended some relief operations in Congo's conflict-torn North Kivu province on Friday, and renewed fighting involving rebels threatened refugee camps and food distribution, officials said.
Archbishop: Protect poorest from effects of economic downturn
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has called on the Government to do more to protect the poorest and most vulnerable from the likely consequences of an economic downturn.
Church to celebrate unsung heroes of youth work
People's perceptions about how the church relates to young people is often that it is out of touch, but the reality in many parts of the church is very different, says the Church of Scotland.
Scottish Parliament has sneaky PEEK at anti-sectarian message
An anti-sectarian poster designed by young people from Glasgow's east end is to go on display at the Scottish Parliament.
Is religious right losing its influence on US politics?
Panelists including Sojourners' Jim Wallis debate the extent to which the religious right still dominates US politics - and agree that times have changed.
Rebecca St James joins fight against malaria
Grammy-award winning artist Rebecca St James joined the fight against one of the deadliest killers in Africa by hosting a special Christian radio programme that was released on Friday, World Malaria Day, to raise awareness on the disease.
UNHCR deplores Turkey's deadly refugee expulsions
The United Nations refugee agency reprimanded Turkey on Friday for forcibly expelling 18 Syrian and Iranian migrants across a river to Iraq, four of whom were swept away and drowned.
Zimbabwe police raid opposition HQ, scores held
Armed riot police raided the headquarters of Zimbabwe's main opposition party on Friday and detained scores of people in the biggest crackdown on the MDC since disputed elections last month, officials said.
Refinery strike may halve UK NSea oil output
A strike planned this weekend at a major Scottish refinery raised on Thursday fears of fuel disruption and will force the closure of the key Forties North Sea pipeline, halving Britain's crude oil output.
Sri Lanka bus bomb kills 25, military blame Tigers
At least 25 people were killed and more than 40 wounded when a suspected Tamil Tiger bomb ripped through a packed commuter bus on the outskirts of the Sri Lankan capital on Friday, the military said.
Police release two held over disabled man's murder
Detectives released a man and youth on Friday held on suspicion of murder after the discovery of the body of missing disabled man James Hughes.