News

Iran sanctions having impact-US officials

Defending their approach to thwarting Iran's nuclear ambitions, Bush administration officials on Thursday said U.S. financial sanctions were increasing pressure on Tehran by isolating it from the international business world.

Zimbabwe government accuses Tsvangirai of treason

Zimbabwe's government on Thursday accused opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai of treason and of working with former colonial power Britain to topple President Robert Mugabe in recent elections.

Suicide blast kills 17 in Afghan bazaar - governor

At least 17 people, including two police officers, died on Thursday when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a bazaar in the southwestern Afghan province Nimroz, the provincial governor said.

Britain's Brown looks past Bush presidency

President George W. Bush was upstaged on Thursday as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown met U.S. presidential candidates before seeing him, a stark reminder that world leaders are now looking to his successor.

Sexual abuse caused "indescribable pain"-Pope

Pope Benedict, celebrating a stadium Mass for 45,000 people, acknowledged on Thursday that the U.S. pedophile priests scandal caused "indescribable pain and harm" to victims but asked Catholics to love their pastors.

Suicide bomber kills 50 at Iraq funeral

A suicide bomber struck a funeral in northern Iraq on Thursday, killing 50 mourners and wounding 55 in an attack that suggests militants have launched a new campaign of violence in the north.

US plans new steps to ease food shortage

The United States hopes to announce fresh steps in the coming weeks to help alleviate food shortages around the globe, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Thursday.

Wild fires likely to spread due to global warming

Wild fires are likely to be bigger, more frequent and burn for longer as the world gets hotter, in turn speeding up global warming to create a dangerous vicious circle, scientists say.

Brazil launches cheap new malaria pill

Brazil launched a new treatment for malaria on Thursday, marking the latest step in a global programme to make cheap two-in-one pills available to millions at risk from the mosquito-borne killer.

HOPE ACADEMY: The Final

The search for a new generation of Christian artists reaches its zenith.

Teenager remanded on Rhys Jones murder charge

A 17-year-old youth was remanded in custody on Thursday, charged with the murder of Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones.

EU ready to give U.S some access to police data

The European Union signalled on Thursday it could give the United States limited access to its police databases in a bid to resolve a long-running visa row with Washington.

Israeli Orthodox Jews angered over Passover ruling

A court decision in Israel to allow stores and restaurants to sell food banned by Jewish ritual law during the Passover holiday has angered the country's influential Orthodox Jewish community.

British reporter expelled from Zimbabwe

A British journalist was deported from Zimbabwe on Thursday after being detained for eight nights and fined 20 billion Zimbabwe dollars (about $250), his newspaper said.

China dismisses Japan advice on Tibet talks

Japan's foreign minister on Thursday called for more openness on Tibet and urged his Chinese counterpart to hold talks to resolve problems in the region, as the two met to discuss President Hu Jintao's trip to Japan next month.

Churches urge people to vote wisely on May 1st

Three Christian denominations are urging voters to take a stand against racist and extreme political parties as election day for local councils in England and Wales draws near.