News
Brown believes UK has achieved goals on EU treaty
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown voiced confidence on Thursday that negotiations on the European Union treaty will satisfy British demands but held out the threat of a veto if they did not.
World powers to meet in Berlin next week on Iran
Senior officials from six world powers will meet in Berlin on Wednesday to discuss the showdown with Iran over its nuclear programme, a diplomat said.
More than 30 illegal workers held in London Chinatown raids
Police arrested more than 30 suspected illegal workers in raids on restaurants in London's Chinatown on Thursday as part of a crackdown on immigration offences, the government said.
UN's Gambari to return to Asia, Burma
U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari will set off at the weekend for an Asian tour expected to culminate in his second visit to Myanmar since pro-democracy demonstrations erupted there, the United Nations said on Thursday.
Europeans meet to evade Russia's energy
East European leaders voiced anxiety on Thursday over Russia's use of its massive energy resources to enforce its foreign policy goals and called for efforts to diversify their sources of supply.
Southerners withdraw members from Sudan's govt
Former rebels in southern Sudan have withdrawn their members from a national coalition government, party officials said on Thursday, to pressure their northern partners to reignite a stalled peace process.
Development aid back in focus at WTO as talks sour
World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiators have turned their focus to development aid in an attempt to salvage souring talks over a global free trade pact.
Text of UN Security Council statement on Burma
Following is the full text of a U.N. Security Council presidential statement on Myanmar, approved by the council's 15 members on Thursday.
Church of England says Government plans will reduce parental responsibility
The Church of England has questioned Government plans to force both parents to register every birth, arguing that legislation could reduce rather than promote parental responsibility.
Studies show drop in abortions, maternal deaths
Two studies published on Friday show abortions are declining worldwide due to wider use of birth control practices and that the rate of pregnancy-related deaths is not shrinking quickly enough to meet global targets.
UK Oil and Gas Chaplaincy to hold service of remembrance
The UK Oil & Gas Chaplaincy to hold its annual service of remembrance in Aberdeen this month.
New Child Protection Officer for Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland has appointed Ms Renée English to the post of Child Protection Officer for the Republic of Ireland.
Anglican group reaffirms commitment to conflict resolution
The international Anglican Peace and Justice Network (APJN), has issued a communiqué from its recently concluded triennial meeting in Kigali, Rwanda and Bujumbura, Burundi, in which it upholds its commitment to conflict resolution.
Witnesses: Slain Palestinian was tortured for spreading Christianity
A prominent Palestinian Christian found dead this past weekend on a Gaza City street was publicly beaten by Islamic gunmen who accused him of spreading Christianity, witnesses and Palestinian Arab security officials have reported.
Darfur peace talks 'moment of truth', says UN
Darfur peace talks will be a "moment of truth" to stop the chaotic violence plaguing Sudan's west, U.N. envoy Jan Eliasson said on Thursday.
India's hungry poor dominate latest health survey
India is still struggling to properly feed its children even as its economy booms, according to a survey of its citizens' health and development on Thursday.