News

Zimbabwe exodus helps prop up Mugabe

Millions who fled Zimbabwe amid its economic collapse blame President Robert Mugabe, but their inability to vote in elections this month may boost his chances to stay in power.

East Timor president recounts assassination bid

President Jose Ramos-Horta spoke for the first time on Wednesday about the assassination attempt on his life in February, which left him critically wounded, and called for peace in East Timor.

Inmates riot at high-security Kabul jail

Scores of prisoners rioted in a high-security Kabul jail and at least nine people were wounded in an exchange of gunfire as Afghan police tried to restore order, sources in two foreign aid agencies said on Wednesday.

Iraq reconciliation talks hit by walkouts

A conference to reconcile Iraq's rival political parties fell apart almost as soon as it began on Tuesday, with influential Sunni and Shi'ite blocs pulling out in protest.

NATO tightens grip on north Kosovo in police vacuum

NATO troops in Kosovo patrolled the Serb stronghold of north Mitrovica alone on Tuesday after police withdrew following deadly Serb riots.

Brown to set out security strategy

Prime Minister Gordon Brown will on Wednesday outline the security threats facing Britain and his government's plans to tackle them.

Study finds shorter radiotherapy courses work

A shorter radiation course at a lower overall dose appears as safe and effective as the standard treatment delivered over a longer period of time for women with early breast cancer, researchers said on Wednesday.

UK calls for care in China's handling of Tibet

Britain's consul-general in Hong Kong called for care in China's handling of a wave of protests and riots by Tibetans that the Dalai Lama's officials believe killed 99 people.

Sci-fi guru Arthur C. Clarke dies at 90

Pioneering science fiction writer and visionary Arthur C. Clarke, best known for his work on the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey", has died in his adopted home of Sri Lanka at the age of 90.

Economy woes push Labour to 24-year low

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Labour Party suffered another battering in the polls on Tuesday with data showing it falling to a 24-year low.

Vatican to issue conciliatory note to Jews - sources

Pope Benedict has approved a conciliatory statement for Jews upset by a Good Friday prayer that many saw as a call for their conversion, Catholic and Jewish sources said on Monday.

Every church has part to play in overcoming HIV - conference

Over 300 Christians gathered last weekend for the UK's biggest church conference on HIV to get informed and engage with the issues that surround HIV and Aids.

'Cast your burdens' online say Catholic creators of new Passion resource

Visitors to a Holy Week and Easter web page are being offered the chance to 'virtually' hand over their fears and emotional burdens to Jesus Christ.

Baptists and Ascension Trust to hold violent crime conference

The growing problem of violent crime is to be discussed at a one day conference in Brixton this July that is being organised by the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) and Ascension Trust.

Pope tells Iraq: honour dead archbishop with peace

Pope Benedict on Monday asked Iraq's Catholics to work for peace in honour of the memory of a Chaldean Catholic archbishop who was kidnapped by gunmen and found dead last week.

Kids bear weight of Easter rite in changing Spain

A hush falls over the children before 14-year-old Spaniard Araceli García Maldonado commands: "Up to the sky with her". Then they hoist the shrine of Christ, weighing more than one tonne, onto their shoulders.