News
Eritrea forcing Christian ministers into military camps
The Eritrean Government is reportedly sending some leaders of the Eritrean Orthodox Church to military training camps, a persecution watchdog group reports.
Southern Baptists now a 'declining denomination'
For the first time, Southern Baptists can say membership has reached a tipping point and the nation's largest Protestant denomination is now declining, says one long-time Southern Baptist.
Satanic cults in fashion in Rome, warns Vatican exorcist
Satanic cults are on the rise in an unexpected location - Rome, says a Catholic priest.
Bush assures Abbas on statehood
U.S. President George W. Bush assured Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday that Palestinian statehood remained a high priority in his final 10 months in office despite faltering peace talks.
U.S. says North Korea gave Syria nuclear assistance
The United States on Thursday released photographs of what it said was a Syrian nuclear reactor built with North Korean help, in an effort to pressure Pyongyang to fully disclose its nuclear activities.
Rice price surge frustrates and puzzles Asians
From the airconditioned supermarkets of Tokyo to the open-air stalls of Manila reactions across Asia to record leaps in the price of rice vary from fear and frustration to a nonplussed shrug of the shoulders.
Torch arrives in Japan under security tight
Japan called for calm but braced for trouble with tight security on Friday, as low-key protests began ahead of its leg of the Olympic torch relay, following emotional scenes at other venues around the world.
Car bomb kills at least three in NW Pakistan
A car bomb outside a police station killed at least three people and wounded 15 in Mardan town in northwest Pakistan on Friday, a senior police officer said.
Iranians vote in run-off parliamentary election
Iranians voted on Friday for Iran's run-off parliamentary election which is likely to have no impact on the firm control of conservatives after the disqualification of many reformists in the first round.
U.N. urges world to help Africa fight malaria
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched a new campaign on World Malaria Day on Friday, calling on the world to ensure that all of Africa has access to basic malaria control measures by the end of 2010.
Senate approves top U.S. honour for Myanmar's Suu Kyi
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday to award detained Myanmar democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi the Congressional Gold Medal, America's top civilian honour.
Argentine economy minister Lousteau resigns
Argentine Economy Minister Martin Lousteau resigned on Thursday after less than five months managing Latin America's No. 3 economy and was replaced by the tax agency chief, a government source said.
Disrupted fuel supply causes UN aid cuts in Gaza
A U.N. agency suspended its aid operations in the Gaza Strip on Thursday after an emergency shipment of fuel designated for its use was blocked by petrol-hungry Palestinian farmers.
Europe mega-pastor gives tips for revival of US Christianity
The pastor of Europe's largest evangelical church gave advice on how to revive Christianity and the Church in the United States Tuesday evening during a Q&A session based on questions submitted by American Christians.
Why does God allow suffering? - theologians ponder
Two highly respected theologians recently began a debate on why God would allow so much suffering in the world if He is good and all-powerful.
Teachers hold first national strike in 20 years
More than 8,000 schools were forced to close on Thursday as teachers staged their first national strike in 20 years in a dispute over pay.