News
Kenya's Ecumenical Family Honours WCC Head
Christians in Kenya have paid tribute to the enormous contribution of the head of the World Council of Reformed Churches (WCC) to ecumenism in Kenya and worldwide.
Climate Fight Must Be Won in Developing Nations. Says U.N.
More than two thirds of cuts in greenhouse gas emissions needed by 2030 to fight climate change will have to come from developing countries, the United Nation's climate change secretariat said on Thursday.
Local U.N. Workers Strike in Congo Over Conditions
Thousands of local United Nations employees in Democratic Republic of Congo stopped work on Thursday to protest at pay and working conditions, hampering the world's largest peacekeeping operation.
Infectious Diseases Spreading Faster Than Ever - UN
Infectious diseases are emerging more quickly and spreading faster around the globe than ever and becoming increasingly difficult to treat, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday.
Pakistani Court Rules Exiled Sharif Can Return
Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif can return home after seven years in exile, the chief of the court said.
New UK charity launched to help Iraq's minority Christian community
A new charity has been launched in the UK to provide help for Iraq's ancient minority Christian community, many of whom have been forced to flee their homes.
Iraq Calls for Water Treaty to Avert Crisis
Iraq on Thursday called for a water treaty with neighbours that share the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, saying a deal was needed to avoid a crisis. The two great rivers converge in Iraq and are its main water resource. Both flow south from Turkey, the Euphrates first winding through Syria while the Tigris passes straight into northern Iraq.
U.N. Says Most New Congo Refugees Have Left Uganda
Most of the 10,000 refugees who fled to Uganda from Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday have returned home, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said on Thursday.
SAfrica Pledges $840 Million for Literacy Campaign
South Africa's cabinet has approved 6.1 billion rand ($843 million) in funding for a national literacy and numeracy campaign.
Britain, Germany Launch Third World Health Scheme
LONDON - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Wednesday a global health campaign to target aid more effectively at the basic needs of poor countries.
U.S. to Screen Aid Groups For Terror Links-Report
WASHINGTON - The United States plans to screen thousands of people employed by aid organizations that receive funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development looking for possible links to terror organizations, The Washington Post reported on Thursday.
South Korea Sends Aid to Flood-Ravaged North
South Korea sent its first batch of emergency aid on Thursday to relieve flooding in North Korea that has killed hundreds, and a top Pyongyang official said the North is aiming to restore basic services by the end of September.
Russia Island Quake on Aug. 2 left 8,000 Homeless
An earthquake this month on Russia's Pacific island of Sakhalin left 8,000 people homeless, four times more than initially announced, the local administration said on Thursday.
Britain to Resume Meat Exports Next Week, Vet Says
Britain should resume exports of live animals, meat and dairy products next week after the EU eased its trade restrictions imposed due to foot and mouth outbreaks, the UK's deputy chief veterinary officer said on Thursday.
Forum Urges Asia Pacific to Step Up HIV/AIDS Fight
Asian countries must work hard to keep their HIV/AIDS prevalence low compared to rates in Africa by tackling root causes such as poverty, gender inequality and marginalisation, experts said on Thursday.
Children's Bible-Based TV Series to be shown on BBC2
Friends and Heroes announced today, at the opening of NEXUS Scotland, that their self-titled animated series for 6 to 10-year-olds will be shown on BBC2 starting on Tuesday 11 September 2007.