News
Olympic spirit reaches rural England
A group of nine small villages is to come together for their very own Olympics in advance of the Bejing Olympics later this year.
Holy Land call for Christians and Muslims to engage on ecology
Holy Land Bishop Munib Younan has said that Christians need to have a stronger voice in Jerusalem in order to prevent tensions spreading there, and that Muslims and Christians should work together on ecology issues.
Report of Anglican-Vatican talks ahead of women bishops vote
The Church of England is staying tight lipped over a report that senior bishops have met Vatican officials in secret talks on the crisis in the worldwide Anglican Communion, including the ordination of women bishops.
Prospects dim for G8 climate change deal
Prospects that the G8 would reach a meaningful agreement to how best to fight global warming at their annual summit dimmed on Sunday as leaders began arriving in northern Japan with a raft of global problems on their minds.
Royal collection sparks bidding frenzy
A unique collection of royalty memorabilia amassed over half a century by a household family servant sparked an international bidding frenzy on Saturday that doubled its value when it went under the hammer.
Obama 'puzzled' by Iraq comment frenzy
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Saturday his plan to end the Iraq war was unchanged and he was puzzled by the sharp reaction to his statement this week that he might "refine" his timetable for withdrawing U.S. combat troops.
Chinese VP arrives in Hong Kong amid democracy calls
Democrats in Hong Kong urged Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping to allow swifter implementation of direct elections on Sunday, during Xi's first visit to the city since taking charge of its affairs as a state leader.
High oil prices spur demand for low energy electronics
These days when customers walk into electronics stores, the first question they ask is how much electricity the fridge, washing machine or laptop computer they are contemplating buying consumes.
Irish woman seeks 'husband' for 120 litres of beer
Julia Galvin came to Finland looking for a man that would carry her 120 kg over a 253-metres track - the incentive being the chance to win the wife-carrying world title and beer worth her body weight.
Israel to reopen Gaza border crossings
Israel was reopening some border crossings with Gaza on Sunday, an official said, after it closed them on Thursday following the launch of a rocket into the Jewish state by Palestinian militants.
Mbeki holds crisis talks with Mugabe
South African President Thabo Mbeki met Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Saturday to try to help end a political crisis after a violent election that extended Mugabe's 28-year rule.
Colombia foils bomb plot after rescue
Colombia found explosives set to be used in bombs across the capital in reprisal for this week's rescue of leftist rebels' highest-profile hostages, including Ingrid Betancourt, military officials said on Saturday.
No quick end in sight to Mongolia political turmoil
Private television was back on the air, alcohol on sale and restaurants open after the end of Mongolia's emergency rule, but a week after a disputed election the country's political problems were still far from resolved.
Retired California clergy rebuked over same-sex couples vow
News of the offer from more than 80 retired northern California clergy in the United Methodist Church to perform same-sex "marriages" has riled conservative Christians who say such an action is "silly" and merely a move towards "the latest fad".
Dissident patriarch of Vietnam Buddhist group dies
The patriarch of a Vietnamese Buddhist group that has peacefully campaigned against successive governments and Communist Party controls on religion, died in his monastery at the age of 87 on Saturday, the organisation said.
Babies' deaths cast shadow on Egypt's health care
The video shows a poorly lit hospital nursery filled with premature babies in incubators. Doctors are frantically trying to resuscitate some babies while others wail in the background after a night-time power cut.