News
Darfur force brings hope, new threats to aid effort
Aid agencies working in Sudan's Darfur hope incoming United Nations and African Union peacekeepers will help protect them, but there are also fears they could spark new violence against unarmed relief staff.
Poverty grows in Egypt despite rapid growth - UN
The proportion of Egyptians living in absolute poverty has risen despite relatively rapid economic growth this decade, the head of United Nations operations in Egypt said on Wednesday.
Pakistan's Bhutto ends exile with emotional homecoming
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto ended eight years of self-exile on Thursday, returning to Karachi where more than 100,000 supporters poured onto the city's streets to welcome her home.
Armed men kill 3 WFP drivers in Darfur
Armed men shot dead three World Food Programme (WFP) drivers in the southern Darfur region of Sudan, the U.N. agency said on Wednesday.
Political, ethnic imbroglio awaits EU Chad force
European Union peacekeepers bound for eastern Chad will be flying into a political and ethnic hornets' nest that could suck them into an entangled regional conflict already spilling across national borders, analysts say.
Cheap drug could save lives in poor nations, says report
A cheap drug that prevents a deadly complication in pregnancy could save the lives of tens of thousands of women in poor countries each year, a health group said in a report on Thursday.
Iraqi priests remain captive as ransom raised
The kidnappers of two Iraqi Roman Catholic priests backed out of a release agreement and demanded more ransom money, a Christian group has reported.
Millions join UN events to mark poverty fight
Millions of people marked an annual International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on Wednesday by joining a mass "stand up" around the world aimed at promoting U.N. targets on reducing poverty.
Canada makes Burma's Suu Kyi an honorary citizen
The Canadian lower chamber of Parliament on Wednesday granted honorary citizenship to Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent nearly 12 of the last 18 years in prison or under house arrest.
Methodist Council upholds 1993 resolutions on human sexuality
The first of three meetings planned for the Methodist Church's current Connexional Year has taken place at the High Leigh Conference Centre in Hertfordshire this week.
Allies urge Turkey to hold off North Iraq action
The United States and other Western allies, as well as Baghdad, urged Turkey to refrain from military action in northern Iraq after Ankara's parliament gave permission on Wednesday for an attack on Kurdish separatists there.
Putin gave Iran 'special' atomic message
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave Iran a "special message" on its disputed atomic programme and other issues, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator was quoted as saying on Wednesday, without giving details.
Ex-UN boss launches forum for climate change fight
Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Wednesday launched a "Global Humanitarian Forum" which he said would focus on coordinating international efforts to counter the effects of climate change.
UN raises ceiling on staff levels in Iraq
The United Nations has raised its limit on the number of international staff it can send to Iraq as it tries to expand its operations there, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
US, UNESCO to cooperate on global digital library
The U.S. Library of Congress and UNESCO will cooperate to develop a digital library of works from around the world, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization said on Wednesday.
Rick Warren launches new plan to multiply impact worldwide
Saddleback Church, one of the largest churches in the US, has launched a new global vision to multiply impact on the local and international levels.