News
UN urges action after Archbishop abducted in Iraq
The UN envoy to Iraq has called on the country's government to step up its protection of minorities after the abduction of a Chaldean Catholic in Mosul, northern Iraq, last week.
Medvedev vows to uphold Putin legacy
Russia's next president Dmitry Medvedev pledged to uphold Vladimir Putin's policies on Monday after a big election win that critics said was stage-managed to let the outgoing Kremlin leader keep his grip on power.
Troops deployed in Colombia dispute
Venezuela and Ecuador sent troops to their borders with Colombia and downgraded diplomatic ties after their Andean neighbour bombed Colombian rebels inside Ecuador in an attack Caracas said could spark a war.
Ahmadinejad takes swipe at Bush
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hailed a new chapter in ties with Iraq and took a jab at the United States over its policies in the Middle East during a landmark visit to Baghdad on Sunday.
Japan warship collides with freighter in Vietnam
A Japanese destroyer collided with a Cambodian freighter in the Vietnamese port of Ho Chi Minh City on Monday, but no one was injured and damage to the vessels was minor, Japan's defence ministry said.
Ohio becomes campaign central for Clinton and Obama
U.S. presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama waged a tight campaign fight across Ohio on Sunday as a top Democrat voiced concern about a prolonged party battle after Tuesday's voting.
East Timor president forgives rebel leader
East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta, who was critically wounded in an assassination attempt last month, has forgiven the rebel leader who led the attack, the country's interim president said on Monday.
Myanmar and Bangladesh boat people perish off Sri Lanka
Twenty boat people from Myanmar and Bangladesh have starved or dehydrated to death after their wooden trawler stalled at sea a fortnight ago, a group of 71 survivors found adrift off Sri Lanka on Monday told the navy.
Pensions swing to 21 billion pound surplus
Company defined-benefit pension schemes swung to a record total surplus at the end of February, on rising corporate bond yields and improved equity markets, pension advisory firm Aon Consulting said on Monday.
Manufacturing activity slower
Manufacturing activity slowed in the first quarter of 2008, but companies remain fairly optimistic about the future despite rising raw material costs and a drop in domestic demand, a survey showed on Monday.
Passengers face more rail delays
Thousands of passengers faced a second day of delays on Sunday after high winds blew freight containers across a busy main line in northern England, train operators said.
Energy firms told to surrender profits
Gas and electricity companies are being ordered by the government to hand over part of their bumper profits or face a new windfall tax, according to a newspaper report on Sunday.
Service marks worst wartime civilian disaster
A memorial service was held on Sunday to remember the 173 victims of the Bethnal Green Tube station disaster, the biggest civilian loss of life in a single incident in Britain during World War Two.
MPs urge action to cut childbirth deaths
Hundreds of thousands of women in poor countries die each year during pregnancy or childbirth from largely avoidable causes, MPs said on Sunday.
Sunday Telegraph report 'as wrong as wrong can be' - Archbishop's office
A spokesman for the Archbishop of York has dismissed newspaper reports as being "as wrong as wrong can be" in reporting a recent speech by the Archbishop of York.
Christian Aid, Islamic Relief team up for global volunteering scheme
A new Government-backed global volunteering scheme for 18 to 25-year-olds will offer young adults from less advantaged backgrounds the opportunity to live, work and learn about life in poorer countries while making a real difference to people's lives.