News
Religious groups cry out as US states turn up heat on illegal immigrants
Minor traffic violations do not usually warrant a press release from a US governor. But when state police stopped a van on a Missouri road for "following too closely" and found it was carrying 10 presumed illegal immigrants Gov. Matt Blunt was quick to tout the incident as part of a new state program to hunt down undocumented aliens.
Free trade in rice can lead to more hunger, says Christian alliance
Free trade in rice has increased hunger and poverty among subsistence farmers in at least three developing countries, a Christian anti-poverty advocacy group said on Thursday.
US urges Japan to continue to aid Afghan mission
The Bush administration will press Japan to resume refueling missions supporting the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan after they were halted earlier on Thursday, the White House said.
New bid for UN resolution to ban death penalty
More than 70 countries opposed to the death penalty launched a fresh bid on Thursday to have the U.N. General Assembly pass a resolution urging an end to the practice, diplomats said.
Uganda's LRA rebels make first peace trip home
On a historic return to Uganda to meet government officials, The Lord's Resistance Army rebels said on Thursday they might make peace even if the International Criminal Court upholds indictments against them.
Fall in hospital superbug infections brings hope
Cases of Clostridium difficile have fallen, but it is too soon to say whether the corner has been turned on tackling the hospital superbug, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
UN launches MDG monitoring website to end global poverty
The United Nations has launched a new Web site on Thursday that will show how and where the world is succeeding or failing in meeting the Millennium Development Goals on ending poverty.
Brain stimulation sparks out-of-body experience
Electrodes implanted into the brain to treat a man with a stubborn case of ringing in the ear instead sparked an out-of-body sensation.
C-section raises risk to mother and infant
Compared with vaginal deliveries, cesarean deliveries have twice the risk of complications and deaths of both infants and mothers.
World powers to discuss Iran sanctions on Friday
World powers will meet in London on Friday to discuss further sanctions against Iran.
Vodafone launches MusicStation service in Britain
Vodafone Group launched its mobile music service in Britain on Thursday to allow users to download and share unlimited tracks.
Republican field still up for US evangelical grabs
White evangelical Protestants, a key support base for the Republican Party, still have not united behind a single candidate for the 2008 White House race.
Metropolitan police guilty over Brazilian's shooting
London's police chief defied calls to resign on Thursday after a jury convicted his force of endangering the public by shooting dead an innocent Brazilian on an underground train, mistaking him for a suicide bomber.
Turkey aims for targeted sanctions in north Iraq
Turkey said on Thursday planned economic sanctions would only target outlawed Kurdish militants and groups providing them with support in northern Iraq.
Rogue US church fined $10.9m for military funeral protest
The 'God Hates America' cult, famous for its merciless protests at some of the most inappropriate occasions imaginable, have been ordered to pay nearly US$11 million in damages to relatives of a US Marine, after its members cheered his death at his funeral.