News
Betancourt urges FARC to free hostages
Ingrid Betancourt urged Colombian rebels to free all hostages as she addressed a rally in the French capital on Sunday that was part of a series of demonstrations around the world to protest against kidnappings.
German tourist hostages free in Turkey
Three German tourists kidnapped by Kurdish separatist guerrillas in eastern Turkey earlier this month have been found abandoned by their captors on a hillside, a Turkish official said on Sunday.
Myanmar may free Suu Kyi in six months
Military-ruled Myanmar could release detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in about half a year, once a maximum detention period of six years has expired, Singapore's foreign minister said on Sunday.
Obama says Afghanistan is 'precarious'
U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama called the situation in Afghanistan "precarious and urgent" on Sunday after meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai during an overseas trip meant to burnish his foreign policy credentials.
Iran says nuclear talks a step forward
Iran's president described talks with world powers on its disputed nuclear programme as a step forward on Sunday, official media said, even though the meeting in Geneva failed to produce any breakthrough in the standoff.
Reformed action team a catalyst for South African church's mission
"Congregations do not start from zero but are involved in mission action and reflection," says Reginald Nel, pastor at Riverlea Uniting Reformed Church in South Africa.
Pope warns youth of materialist 'spiritual desert'
Pope Benedict, wrapping up his visit to Australia, on Sunday urged a huge crowd of young people to beware the spreading "spiritual desert" that often accompanied modern prosperity.
Powers wield sanction threat after Iran stalemate
Major powers gave Iran two weeks to answer calls to rein in its nuclear programme on Saturday or face tougher sanctions after talks ended in stalemate despite unprecedented U.S. participation.
Obama visits Afghanistan
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama met the commander of U.S. troops in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday to talk about the war he says is not getting enough attention from the Bush administration.
Zimbabwe opposition may sign initial talks agreement
Zimbabwe's main opposition party could sign an agreement as early as Monday to begin substantive talks with President Robert Mugabe's party on ending a political impasse that has worsened the country's severe economic crisis, opposition officials said on Saturday.
Cleared Pc dies after being found on Snowdon
A police officer, who was cleared of wrongdoing after CCTV cameras showed him punching a woman he was trying to arrest, has died after being found on a Welsh mountainside.
Irish party declines Sarkozy invite
Ireland's Labour Party has turned down a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy next week to resolve deadlock over the EU reform treaty, saying the format proposed was "pointless" and a trifle arrogant.
Arab ministers criticize ICC Sudan charges
The Arab League criticised the International Criminal Court's prosecutor for seeking the arrest of Sudan's president on genocide charges, saying diplomacy should be given a priority to solve the conflict in Darfur.
Iraq's Sunni Arab bloc rejoins government
Iraq's main Sunni Arab bloc rejoined the Shi'ite-led government on Saturday in a breakthrough for national reconciliation after parliament approved its candidates for several vacant ministerial posts.
Zuma says Mandela 'glue' holding South Africa together
The leader of South Africa's ruling party said former President Nelson Mandela was the glue holding the country together, giving voice to long-held fears about the future of the fledgling democracy without him.
Gunbattle at Palestinian camp in Lebanon kills two
Two people were killed on Saturday in a gunbattle between members of the Fatah faction and Sunni Islamist militants at a Palestinian refugee camp in south Lebanon, camp officials said.