News
Appeals court says BP blast deal violates U.S. law
A U.S. federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday that a plea bargain between prosecutors and BP violated the rights of victims of a deadly 2005 explosion at the company's giant Texas refinery.
Hezbollah piles pressure on Lebanese government
Iranian-backed Hezbollah tightened its grip on Beirut airport on Thursday, piling pressure on Lebanon's U.S.-backed government on the second day of a protest campaign that has triggered gunbattles in the capital.
Technical flaws mar hearing in new Guantanamo court
Osama bin Laden's suspected "media director" rejected U.S. terrorism court proceedings and renewed his allegiance to the al Qaeda leader on Wednesday in a hearing marred by technical flaws in a new Guantanamo courtroom.
U.S. and NATO battle on uneven Afghan patchwork
Last week U.S. Captain Roger Hill led a patrol into the Jaldez valley, just southwest of Kabul, and was immediately ambushed from three sides by 50 Taliban fighters armed with rocket-propelled grenades.
Pakistan tests nuclear-capable cruise missile
Pakistan successfully tested a nuclear-capable, air-launched cruise missile with a range of 350 km (220 miles) on Thursday, the military said, a day after India tested a long-range missile.
Uganda rebels say Kony will meet mediators
Uganda's fugitive guerrilla Joseph Kony will meet mediators on Saturday on the Sudan-Congo border and may even sign a final peace deal, a rebel negotiator said on Wednesday.
Burundi rebels drop amnesty bid, agree to go home
Burundi's last rebel group said on Wednesday it would return home to implement a long-awaited peace deal and drop its demand for an amnesty, boosting hopes for peace in the country.
Power returns to parts of cyclone-hit Yangon
Sporadic power and water supplies returned to parts of Myanmar's biggest city of Yangon on Thursday and the prices of basic food dropped, signals of a gradual recovery from the onslaught of Cyclone Nargis.
Arabs say racism on rise as Israel turns 60
Salwa Abu Jaber believes her story shows Israel discriminating against its Arab citizens, 60 years after the state was established as a haven for Jews.
Christian Aid launches Burma cyclone appeal
Christian Aid has launched an appeal to help those left without shelter, food or water in Burma after Cyclone Nargis hit the country.
USPG backs Archbishops' prayer appeal for Zimbabwe
USPG: Anglicans in World Mission said it has been heartened by the response to the call to prayer issued by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York at the end of April.
Russian Orthodox Church rep: EU needs to protect Christians
The European Union should do more to protect Christians worldwide, said the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church to European Union officials on Monday.
Euthanasia - still a dilemma for Dutch doctors
"I am not a monster. I'm also not a God. In the best case I'm an angel," muses a doctor in a Dutch play about euthanasia, before delivering a lethal injection to an old friend, a cancer patient.
Police clamp down on Mongolian house churches
China Aid Association (CAA) has learned that officials from the Arong Qi Security and Religious Affairs Bureau detained two house church ministers last Thursday.
TD Jakes: Don't stereotype black church after Wright comments
Black megachurch leader Bishop TD Jakes said on Monday that he was pained at seeing the African-American church portrayed negatively by the media.
Government to rule on cannabis
Gordon Brown's government will announce on Wednesday whether it plans to reclassify cannabis, in a move that is set to draw criticism whatever the outcome.