News
Afghans hunt for prison escapees
Afghan and foreign troops were hunting on Saturday hundreds of prisoners, including militants, who escaped the main prison in southern Kandahar city after a raid by Taliban insurgents, the government said.
Iran rules out nuclear halt after deal offer
Top EU diplomat Javier Solana handed Iran an offer by six major powers of trade and other benefits on Saturday to try to coax it into halting sensitive nuclear work, but Tehran again ruled out any such suspension.
Iowa flood evacuations rise
Overflowing rivers in Iowa and other Midwest states forced evacuations and disrupted the region's economy on Friday with fears of worse to come from fragile levees and more rain.
Northern Japan quake kills 4
A powerful earthquake rocked rural northern Japan on Saturday, killing at least four people, injuring more than 200 and sparking landslides that sliced mountains, destroyed roads and left residents cut off.
Bush still expects security pact with Iraq
U.S. President George W. Bush said on Saturday he expected to reach a long-term security pact with Iraq despite Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki saying talks were deadlocked because of sovereignty concerns.
Zimbabwe army chief brands opposition 'treacherous'
The army's commander has urged Zimbabweans to defend the country against a "treacherous opposition" that threatened its sovereignty, a state newspaper reported on Saturday.
EU troops increase patrols in Chad security alert
European Union troops in eastern Chad stepped up patrols around refugee camps on Friday and aid workers restricted movements after anti-government rebels announced an offensive.
Guinea settles army pay dispute with mass promotion
Guinea's authorities have granted promotions to all junior ranks of the army in a final settlement to end a military pay mutiny that shook the world's leading bauxite exporter last month, officials said on Saturday.
Serbia rejects UN proposal on Kosovo EU mission
Serbia on Friday rejected a proposed European Union police mission for Kosovo and accused U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of overreaching his powers in its former province.
Global newspapers, editors criticise UN council for 'using' religion
The World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum have condemned what they say are the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council's repeated efforts to undermine freedom of expression in the name of protecting religious sensibilities.
Dads feel more responsible for spiritual care of their child - church survey
Nine out of every 10 fathers feel responsible for the souls of their children, research commissioned by the Church of England has revealed.
Jubilee Debt Campaign welcomes Togo debt cancellation
Jubilee Debt Campaign welcomed the decision of the Paris Club of creditors to cancel US$347 million of Togo's debt and impose a moratorium on remaining debt payments to these creditors until 2011.
Hindu militants launch fresh attacks on Indian Christians
There have been fresh attacks against Christians in India - the latest in a series of incidents highlighting the pressures facing Christians from Hindu militants, reports Release International.
Church of England divided on women bishops
The Church of England is facing a tough debate on women bishops at next month's General Synod.
Stuart Pendred to release debut classical worship album
There's no doubting the CV: Stuart Pendred has shared the same stage with artists such as: Sting, Lionel Ritchie, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Now he's releasing his own worship album that promises to be unlike any other.
Christian Aid garden showcases farming for the future
Christian Aid will be using this year's Royal Show to highlight the plight of farmers on the frontline of climate change.