News
Burma cracks down on 'no' campaign - opposition
Burma's main opposition party urged on Thursday that there be international observers of the May 10 constitutional referendum, saying its "No" campaigners were being assaulted and their materials seized in the run-up to the vote.
UN says markets are to blame for world food crisis
Global investment funds and the weak dollar are largely to blame for high world food prices, a senior official of the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation said on Thursday.
Ofcom sets out public service proposals for UK TV
Britain's publicly-funded BBC could be forced to share its licence fee and commercial rival ITV could drop its public service remit under proposals aimed at helping broadcasters adapt for the digital age.
Praying for peace, Nepalis trek for historic poll
Confounding pessimistic predictions of widespread violence, Nepalis turned out enthusiastically on Thursday to vote in a historic and largely trouble-free election they pray will bring lasting peace.
US air strikes hit Sadr City, street clashes ease
U.S. air strikes killed 10 people in the eastern Baghdad militia stronghold of Sadr City, Iraqi police said on Thursday, but street fighting eased after four days of clashes that have killed close to 90 people.
Climate change rises on World Bank agenda
Climate change is now one of the World Bank's top concerns because of its expected impact on health and economic growth in developing countries, the bank's lead environmental economist said.
"scouted targets" for 7/7 bombing
The first three men to be charged in connection with the July 7, 2005 London suicide bombings went on trial on Thursday, accused of scouting for potential terrorist targets.
UK lenders cut mortgage rates after BoE move
Several of Britain's top lenders cut their variable lending rates by 25 basis points on Thursday, matching a move by the Bank of England to pass on some relief to homeowners facing a jump in mortgage costs.
Turkey court convicts Kurdish politician for speech
A Turkish court on Thursday sentenced Kurdish politician Leyla Zana, a former Nobel Peace Prize nominee, to two years in prison for spreading terrorist propaganda, court officials said.
Two killed delivering food aid to south Sudan
Two workers delivering food aid to south Sudan have been killed in the third fatal attack on World Food Programme trucks in three weeks, the U.N. organisation said on Thursday.
China says UK's Brown never down for Olympic start
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was never expected to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in August, China said on Thursday.
Pope Benedict is coming to America
Pope Benedict is coming to America and American Catholics may be in for some surprises.
Britain's top earners are worst climate offenders, says Christian author
Chris Goodall, the Christian author of How to Live a Low-Carbon Life, has argued that it is financial institutions and Britain's highest earners that must take prime responsibility for challenging the effects of global warming.
Ecumenical conference to address Middle East migration and churches
Young Christians from the Middle East will reveal why many of them leave the region in search of a brighter future at the Public Hearing on Migration and the Changing Ecclesial Landscape to be held in Beirut, from 15 to 16 April.
Tutu says Mugabe can still redeem himself by stepping down
Robert Mugabe could still redeem himself by stepping down as president of Zimbabwe to ease tensions after elections that threatened his 28-year rule, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said on Tuesday.
Christian Aid urges kids to 'gang up on poverty' by making movies
Christian Aid's website for kids has launched a new initiative encouraging children to 'gang up on poverty' by making short films.