News
Obama rebukes preacher, urges race healing
US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Tuesday criticised his preacher's racially charged sermons but said he could not disown him in a speech urging Americans to move past their "racial stalemate".
Beijing says torch relay will go to Tibet
The torch relay for the 2008 Olympics will go to Tibet as scheduled despite the unrest in the Himalayan region, a senior Beijing organiser said on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe exodus helps prop up Mugabe
Millions who fled Zimbabwe amid its economic collapse blame President Robert Mugabe, but their inability to vote in elections this month may boost his chances to stay in power.
East Timor president recounts assassination bid
President Jose Ramos-Horta spoke for the first time on Wednesday about the assassination attempt on his life in February, which left him critically wounded, and called for peace in East Timor.
Inmates riot at high-security Kabul jail
Scores of prisoners rioted in a high-security Kabul jail and at least nine people were wounded in an exchange of gunfire as Afghan police tried to restore order, sources in two foreign aid agencies said on Wednesday.
Iraq reconciliation talks hit by walkouts
A conference to reconcile Iraq's rival political parties fell apart almost as soon as it began on Tuesday, with influential Sunni and Shi'ite blocs pulling out in protest.
NATO tightens grip on north Kosovo in police vacuum
NATO troops in Kosovo patrolled the Serb stronghold of north Mitrovica alone on Tuesday after police withdrew following deadly Serb riots.
Brown to set out security strategy
Prime Minister Gordon Brown will on Wednesday outline the security threats facing Britain and his government's plans to tackle them.
Study finds shorter radiotherapy courses work
A shorter radiation course at a lower overall dose appears as safe and effective as the standard treatment delivered over a longer period of time for women with early breast cancer, researchers said on Wednesday.
UK calls for care in China's handling of Tibet
Britain's consul-general in Hong Kong called for care in China's handling of a wave of protests and riots by Tibetans that the Dalai Lama's officials believe killed 99 people.
Sci-fi guru Arthur C. Clarke dies at 90
Pioneering science fiction writer and visionary Arthur C. Clarke, best known for his work on the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey", has died in his adopted home of Sri Lanka at the age of 90.
Economy woes push Labour to 24-year low
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Labour Party suffered another battering in the polls on Tuesday with data showing it falling to a 24-year low.
Vatican to issue conciliatory note to Jews - sources
Pope Benedict has approved a conciliatory statement for Jews upset by a Good Friday prayer that many saw as a call for their conversion, Catholic and Jewish sources said on Monday.
Every church has part to play in overcoming HIV - conference
Over 300 Christians gathered last weekend for the UK's biggest church conference on HIV to get informed and engage with the issues that surround HIV and Aids.
'Cast your burdens' online say Catholic creators of new Passion resource
Visitors to a Holy Week and Easter web page are being offered the chance to 'virtually' hand over their fears and emotional burdens to Jesus Christ.
Baptists and Ascension Trust to hold violent crime conference
The growing problem of violent crime is to be discussed at a one day conference in Brixton this July that is being organised by the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) and Ascension Trust.