News
Ban Ki-Moon to address evangelical leaders on poverty goals
Evangelical leaders from around the world will meet the UN Secretary General next week to discuss progress on the Millennium Development Goals.
Namibia bishop warns of violence over human rights group request
A leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia says attempts by a human rights group to bring former president Sam Nujoma before the International Criminal Court in The Hague might result in public violence or even civil war.
UN envoy reports on Myanmar; China opposes action
The U.N. Security Council decided on Thursday to hear a U.N. envoy's report on Myanmar at a public meeting but China said it was opposed to any action by the 15-member body because the junta's crackdown on pro-democracy campaigners was an internal affair.
Europe rights groups urges racial profiling ban
Racial profiling by police should be banned as it alienates the very communities whose cooperation police need to beat crime and terrorism, a European rights group said on Thursday.
World Evangelical Alliance and Advocates International collaborate on religious freedom
World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) welcomed the Advocates International (AI) as its newest Global Partner, adding strength to the alliance's efforts in promoting religious freedom and human rights.
Everyone will pay for climate change
Climate change will likely cost every global citizen something in the years ahead, although the payback will be much greater, policymakers, scientists and officials told a Reuters summit this week.
Last of 3,200 trapped South African miners saved
The last of 3,200 miners trapped deep in a South African mine shaft was saved on Thursday, capping a day-long rescue mission that began with fears of the worst and ended in wild celebrations.
Faith leaders support campaign for more black and Asian blood donors
Faith leaders from several of the UK's major religions are lending their support to a campaign to encourage more black and Asian people to donate blood.
World climate deal faces hurdles for '09 deadline
A growing sense of urgency is pushing world leaders to agree a new treaty to fight climate change but the U.S. presidential election might still foil hopes of a deal by the end of 2009, experts told a Reuters summit.
US asks Croatia to take any Kosovo refugees
A Croatian newspaper reports that the United States has asked Croatia to accommodate refugees and keep them out of NATO and European Union territory if a flare-up in Serbia's breakaway Kosovo province provokes a mass exodus.
Iran says will go ahead with disputed atomic work
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the world could not stop the Islamic state's nuclear programme, which the West fears is a cover to build nuclear bomb, the official IRNA news agency said on Thursday.
Sarkozy receives medal for helping to free HIV medics
President Nicolas Sarkozy received Bulgaria's top honour for his role in the freeing of Bulgarian medics from a Libyan jail on Thursday during a visit Paris hopes will help seal major commercial deals.
African Anglican bishops step away from gay row
African Anglican archbishops ducked homosexuality, the issue dividing the worldwide Communion, on Thursday and instead drew attention to the poorest continent's problems.
Pope says Church does not seek economic privileges
Pope Benedict, speaking after the European Commission asked Italy for information on tax breaks for the Roman Catholic Church, said on Thursday the Church did not seek any economic privileges.
Korea deal tests Kim Jong-il's commitment: media
South Korean media questioned on Friday whether the two Koreas' summit pledge to seek a formal end to their 1950-53 war could be realised given Pyongyang's record of broken promises.
Ten killed in storm and floods in central Vietnam
Ten people died and six were missing after a typhoon blew strong winds and heavy rains into central Vietnam, triggering floods, blocking traffic and threatening the lives of thousands, officials said on Friday.