News

Four dead in violent Mexican city despite troops

Drug hitmen tortured and killed four men, wrapping their heads in black garbage bags, as thousands of soldiers and federal police arrived to bolster security in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez, local authorities said on Monday.

Ecuador sues Colombia over anti-drug spraying

Ecuador said on Monday it had sued Colombia in international court over drug crop fumigation along its border in a move that could stoke tensions as the neighbours spar over a Colombian raid into Ecuador's territory.

In Bhutan, Tibetan refugees yearn to join protests

In a remote corner of the Himalayas, a small Tibetan refugee community felt helpless as it watched protests erupt all over the world against Chinese rule in their homeland. For in the tiny Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan, ethnically, culturally and linguistically close to its giant northern neighbour Tibet, demonstrations are not allowed. Young Tibetans were even reluctant to give their names for fear of trouble.

Ministry urges Christians to adopt a terrorist for prayer

A new web-based ministry in the US is urging Christians to adopt a terrorist and pray for them as Jesus Christ instructed his disciples to love and pray for their enemies.

Hindu leaders split over yoga for Christians

Hindu religious leaders have strongly criticised a Catholic spiritual teacher for encouraging her pupils to find God through yoga.

Rick Warren launches 'Purpose Driven' plan in Uganda

Megachurch pastor Rick Warren launched a national Purpose Driven Living programme in Uganda over the weekend aimed at helping the country's leaders live purposeful lives that will build up their nation.

Care defends internship programme over lobbying charges

Christian charity Care has defended itself against allegations in a leading newspaper that it has broken Charity Commission guidelines.

Don't let climate change talks end in deadlock, says Christian Aid

As five days of UN negotiations on climate change kick off in Bangkok, Christian Aid is wanting to see proof from rich countries that they are serious about tackling global warming.

Charity runners to settle chicken and egg dispute at London Marathon

One of life's eternal questions is due to be answered on 13 April when a chicken and an egg compete to determine, once and for all, which came first.

Church body denounces Dutch anti-Koran film

Global ecumenical body the World Council of Churches (WCC) has condemned a provocative new film released by a Dutch parliamentarian in which he accuses the Koran of inciting violence.

Church in Wales to vote on women bishops

The Church in Wales will this week vote on the ordination of women as bishops. The head of the Church, Dr Barry Morgan, is urging clergy to vote in favour

Muslims more numerous than Catholics - Vatican

The number of Muslims has overtaken the number of Roman Catholics in the world, a Vatican official said on Sunday.

Security tight as Olympic flame arrives in China

The Beijing Olympic flame was welcomed by cheering children amid tight security in China on Monday, a symbolic start to the Games that has been overshadowed by unrest in Tibet and concerns over human rights.

Tensions rise as world faces short rations

Food prices are soaring, a wealthier Asia is demanding better food and farmers can't keep up. In short, the world faces a food crisis and in some places it's already boiling over.

Delays cause concern in Zimbabwe poll

Regional observers endorsed Zimbabwe's elections as credible and fair on Sunday but long delays in issuing results stoked concerns that President Robert Mugabe was trying to cling to power by rigging the result.

Iraq's Sadr orders followers off streets

Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called on his followers on Sunday to stop battling government forces after a week of fighting in southern Iraq and Baghdad threatened to spiral out of control.