News
Animal research experiments up 6 percent
Animals were used in a little more than 3.2 million medical experiments in 2007, a six percent rise from the previous year, the government said on Monday.
Brown says Middle East peace gaps bridgeable
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Sunday he believed differences in Middle East peace talks could be bridged although Israel said it disagreed with his criticism of Jewish settlement expansion.
Russia says no visa for TNK-BP CEO without contract
Russia's migration service said it would not give a visa to TNK-BP Chief Executive Robert Dudley without a valid contract, a move that may help the Russian-connected co-owners oust the BP-backed executive.
Anglican leader dismisses talk of schism
Anglican leader Rowan Williams dismissed talk of schism in a church deeply divided over gay clergy on Monday and urged conservative dissidents to remain in the fold.
'Pull your pants up' movement draws critics, supporters
Americans rallying against youth who love to pull their underpants up and their trousers down.
Chinese house church head forced to live on streets
The chairman of the Federation House Church and his wife were recently forced to live on the streets following repeated harassment and intimidation by government authorities, reported a Chinese persecution watchdog group.
Anglican archbishop urges Church to address divide
Anglican leader Rowan Williams has urged bishops to address the deep divisions in the Church at a summit boycotted by a quarter of them over the ordination of gay clergy.
Zimbabwe's MDC holds out on talks deal
Zimbabwe's main opposition party said it would not sign an accord paving the way for talks to end a political crisis until mediator South Africa addressed its concerns, but regional officials on Sunday appeared optimistic a breakthrough was possible.
Barack Obama visits Iraq
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama flew into Iraq on Monday, thrusting U.S. strategy in the country and troop levels to the centre-stage of the November election race.
Trade ministers begin make-or-break WTO talks
Top trade officials begin a make-or-break session of world trade talks on Monday, haunted by failed efforts in 2006 and 2007 and concern over whether the United States can deliver on a deal.
Indian government begins confidence vote debate
India's parliament began debate on a vote of confidence in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government on Monday that will decide the fate of a nuclear deal with the United States and could trigger a snap election.
North Korea nuclear talks to take higher profile
Sputtering talks on ending North Korea's nuclear plans will gain a higher profile this week with an unprecedented meeting of ministers, but lingering questions on the North's ambitions threaten to drag the process down.
Rebels clash in southwest Pakistan
At least 36 people were killed in clashes between security forces and militants in a part of southwest Pakistan where nationalist rebels have fought a low-level insurgency for years, paramilitary officials said on Monday.
Israeli army probes shooting of bound Palestinian
Video footage of an Israeli soldier firing what appears to be a rubber bullet at point-blank range at a bound and blindfolded Palestinian detainee has led to an army investigation.
ASEAN tackles border spat, rights and Myanmar
Southeast Asian ministers urged Cambodia and Thailand on Monday to show restraint over a military standoff on their border and took steps to create a regional human rights body.
Kidnapped Turkish engineers freed in Afghanistan
Two Turkish engineers kidnapped in Afghanistan last week have been freed after their employers apparently paid a ransom, police said on Monday.