News

Suleiman is new Lebanese president

Lebanon's parliament elected army chief Michel Suleiman as head of state on Sunday, reviving paralysed state institutions after an 18-month standoff between a U.S.-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition.

China aftershock causes more misery

A strong aftershock jolted southwest China on Sunday killing at least one person and injuring 400 others, state media said, nearly a fortnight after a big earthquake killed tens of thousands in the same area.

Mbeki condemns attacks and vows action

President Thabo Mbeki called South Africa's wave of deadly attacks on immigrants a "disgrace" on Sunday and said his government would act firmly to curb the bloodshed amid growing criticism from African nations.

Colombian rebel chief dies after 40 years of war

Manuel Marulanda, the founder and top commander of Colombia's main left-wing rebel army, has died of a heart attack after more than four decades fighting a fierce guerrilla war, his rebel group said.

Cargo plane breaks in two at Brussels airport

An American Kalitta air cargo plane drove off the runway during take-off at Brussels's Zaventem airport on Sunday and broke in two but there were no casualties, airport and fire brigade officials said.

Sudan politicians accuse government of torture

Southern Sudanese leaders, human rights activists and political groups joined forces on Sunday to accuse Sudan's government of torturing suspects and making "arbitrary" arrests in a crackdown following a rebel attack on Khartoum.

Egypt plans to extend emergency law

The Egyptian government plans a one-year extension to an emergency law that grants police sweeping powers of arrest, an official said on Sunday.

China to review hydropower projects after quake

China said on Sunday it will review the 13 planned hydropower projects in the country's southwest after the massive May 12 quake, but expects no big change to the plans.

Kiev poll scrutinised for Ukraine national trends

Residents of Ukraine's capital voted for a mayor and city council on Sunday in a race being watched for political trends that might give clues to the outcome of the next presidential election.

Spain rescues 67 immigrants from sea, 2 dead

Spanish coastguard boats rescued 67 immigrants, including two corpses, from the sea near the Canary Islands on Sunday, an emergency services spokesman said.

Pope urges help for hungry

Pope Benedict urged all Christians on Sunday to help international efforts to resolve a food price crisis that threatens to make millions more people go hungry, ahead of a food summit in Rome early next month.

In Dubai, Christians pray side by side but not always together

On Fridays, the Holy Trinity church compound in Dubai is abuzz with worshippers from early morning till after nightfall. Some 10,000 - 11,000 members of more than 120 different Christian groups and congregations come here on the Emirates' weekly day of rest.

Keep the Faith reveals Britain's most influential black Christian women

Britain's leading publication on black faith, Keep the Faith, has just published its first ever list of Britain's foremost black Christian women.

Church secures new funding options for training of future clergy

The vital role of Christian ministers in building social capital and community cohesion within England and Wales has been recognised in provisional arrangements to secure the future of funding for clergy training, following changes to higher education funding announced last year.

McCain rejects pastor's backing after Hitler remark

Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Thursday rejected the endorsement of a Texas preacher after the pastor was discovered to have made derogatory comments about Jews.

Tsvangirai says Mugabe wants to decimate opposition

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai returned to Zimbabwe on Saturday for an election run-off with President Robert Mugabe and said the veteran leader wanted to "decimate" MDC structures.