News
U.N. envoy urges Iraq to join anti-torture treaty
The United Nations urged Iraq on Sunday to ratify the international treaty against torture next year amid accusations that torture was used in detention centres under government authority.
EU-Africa summit ends in trade deadlock
Africa and Europe's first summit in seven years ended on Sunday without agreement on the key issue of trade, dealing a blow to efforts to forge a new economic partnership between the two continents.
US: Huckabee in sights of presidential rivals this week
Rising U.S. Republican presidential contender Mike Huckabee will find himself in the cross hairs of rivals this week as the candidates face off in debates in Florida and Iowa.
Pope says shun excessive materialism at Christmas
Pope Benedict on Sunday urged Catholics to rediscover the religious significance of Christmas, saying the holiday should not be dominated by materialism.
Christian US biologist fired for beliefs, suit says
A Christian biologist is suing the prestigious Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, claiming he was fired for refusing to accept evolution, lawyers involved in the case said on Friday.
Protesters demand action on climate change
Several thousand protesters demanding urgent action on global warming marched through the streets of London, Berlin and Stockholm on Saturday.
British soldier killed in Afghanistan
A British soldier was killed on Saturday during operations in Southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said.
British Midland to add daily flight to Israel
British Midland (BMI), the second-largest carrier, said on Sunday it would start operating daily flights between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv from March 2008.
Pope in rare meeting with Russian Orthodox cleric
Pope Benedict held a rare meeting on Friday with a senior Russian Orthodox Church cleric, who hailed the encounter as proof of warming relations and a step toward greater Christian unity.
Brown appeals for Iraq hostages release
Prime Minister Gordon Brown called on Sunday for the immediate release of five British hostages held in Iraq and said their detention would not sway Britain's approach to the country.
'Back from dead' canoeists wife arrested
The wife of a man who "returned from the dead" after apparently being lost at sea in a canoeing accident five years ago was arrested on her return to Britain from America on Sunday, police said.
Mothers' Union responds to Papua New Guinea cyclone
Mothers' Union members in Britain have sent £2,500 worth of emergency relief to Papua New Guinea after Oro Province was hit by cyclone Guba in November. In the summer, Mothers' Union members in Papua New Guinea sent aid to the UK following the floods in the summer.
'Dead' Briton hid in family home for three years
A man who had been declared dead after a canoeing accident but in fact survived hid in his home for three years before his arrest this week, his wife told British newspapers on Saturday.
European Union, Africa open first summit in 7 years
European Union, Africa open first summit in 7 years Leaders from the European Union and Africa met on Saturday to forge a new strategic partnership at their first summit in seven years, marred by unease over the presence of Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe.
Bush to visit Middle East Jan. 9 to 11 -Abbas aide
U.S. President George W. Bush will visit Israel and the Palestinian territories from Jan. 9 to 11, a senior Palestinian official said on Saturday.
Pope in rare meeting with Russian Orthodox cleric
Pope Benedict held a rare meeting on Friday with a senior Russian Orthodox Church cleric, who hailed the encounter as proof of warming relations and a step toward greater Christian unity.