News
Turkey to modify referendum text to avoid dispute
Turkey's ruling AK Party has proposed amending a text on constitutional reform for a referendum this month in order to avert legal challenges to the status of President Abdullah Gul.
Cholera spreads in Middle East, says World Health Organisation
Cholera has crossed the border in the Middle East from Iraq to Iran, further revealing the need for neighbouring countries to boost their defences against the deadly disease.
US set to continue dominance of science Nobel Prizes
Heavy spending by the United States on research is likely to bear fruit again next week, as the country's leading scientists have been tipped to dominate the Nobel awards in physics, chemistry and medicine.
'Death to Pope' graffiti appears in Naples ahead of visit
Graffiti speaking out against Roman Catholic head Pope Benedict, including one reading "Death to Ratzinger", has been found on walls in Naples ahead of a scheduled visit there by the Pontiff later this month.
Myanmar junta increase pressure on dissenters
Myanmar's junta have gradually been easing its iron grip on the country's main city on Thursday, however, they have continued to round up scores of people and grill hundreds more arrested during and after a merciless crackdown on pro-democracy marches.
Palestinian president sees six-month timeframe for peace talks
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's government said on Thursday formal negotiations to create a Palestinian state could be completed six months after a U.S.-sponsored Middle East conference.
Ethiopia pledges 5,000 peacekeepers to Darfur
Ethiopia on Thursday pledged 5,000 troops to a U.N.-African Union peacekeeping mission in Sudan's war-ravaged Darfur region.
Germany's Merkel starts Africa tour with plea to Ethiopia
German Chancellor Angela Merkel began her first visit to sub-Saharan Africa on Thursday with a call for more democratic opening in Ethiopia, a key ally of the West but under scrutiny over rights issues.
Parents back Church of England's Halloween campaign
Two-thirds of Britons support call for better range of Halloween products.
Kirking ceremony is church's prerogative, insists presbytery
The four centuries-old ceremony of "Kirking of the Council" is a matter for the church rather than Highland Council, Inverness Church of Scotland Presbytery insisted this week.
China police impose new restrictions on religious activities
The Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB) has issued a public notice warning China's landlords to refrain from renting houses for unregistered religious activities, according to China Aid Association (CAA).
Muslims and Hindus mourn slain Sri Lankan priest
More than 5000 mourners including Hindus and Muslims gathered for the funeral of a Sri Lankan Roman Catholic priest killed by a mine blast while on his way to distribute supplies to displaced people.
Compass Rose Society meets in London
Anglicans from the USA, Canada, Europe and Hong Kong have gathered in St Andrew's House, London for the annual meeting of the Compass Rose Society.
Church Army launches campaign to bring hope to the vulnerable
Church Army has launched its latest appeal 'Bringing Hope, Living Hope', which will focus on Church Army evangelists and projects that reach out to some of the most vulnerable in society.
WCC Executive Committee applauds Kyoto Protocol, asks for 'more'
The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, which met 25-28 September in Etchmiadzin, Armenia, said earlier in the week that the Kyoto Protocol is "an important step forward towards a just and sustainable global climate policy regime".
Tutu, Carter Foster Peace in Darfur
Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu met up with former US president Jimmy Carter in Darfur Tuesday to promote peace in Sudan's war-ravaged region.