News
Iraqi row over key laws deepens
Scores of Iraqi lawmakers stormed out of parliament on Tuesday after blocking a vote on the 2008 budget and other key bills, prompting calls for the legislature to be disbanded.
Conservative rabbis 'dismayed' over Catholic prayer
An assembly representing Conservative rabbis worldwide expressed dismay on Tuesday over a revised Roman Catholic prayer calling for the conversion of Jews and voted to ask the Vatican to clarify the text's meaning.
Tasteless Jesus cosmetics pulled from Singapore Topshops
Jesus-branded cosmetics have been pulled from the shelves of Topshop stores in Singapore following some complaints from Catholics.
Australia's biggest terrorism trial starts
Australia's biggest terrorism trial started on Wednesday, with 12 Muslim men appearing in court charged with being members of an unnamed terrorist organisation planning violent jihad in Australia.
Darfuris return to charred homes after attack
The stench of burning hung in the air of Sirba, a town in West Darfur, as its inhabitants returned home to find their belongings in a charred pile, their animals dead and their food gone.
Kidnapped German aid worker freed in Somalia
A German aid worker kidnapped in northwestern Somalia has been freed, his employer said on Wednesday.
Pakistan tests another nuclear-capable missile
Pakistan successfully test fired a short-range nuclear-capable missile on Wednesday as part of its efforts to boost its defence capabilities, the military said.
Malaysia's Anwar faces make-or-break test in poll
Malaysia's next election will be a make-or-break test for opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim, once regarded as a future prime minister, but now hemmed in by his opponents and battling to stay relevant to voters.
Turkey's diehard smokers vow to defy ban
Turkish smokers are vowing to defy a ban in bars and restaurants that will take effect next year, while anti-smoking campaigners accuse global cigarette companies of targeting the country as a key market.
Steven Spielberg quits as Olympics adviser
Oscar-winning film director Steven Spielberg withdrew on Tuesday as an artistic adviser to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing over China's policy on the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region.
Venezuela halts oil supplies to Exxon Mobil
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez stopped oil exports to Exxon Mobil Corp on Tuesday, escalating a multibillion-dollar fight with the U.S. company two days after threatening to cut off all supplies to America.
Witnesses say Damascus car bomb kills man
A car bomb exploded in a residential area of the Syrian capital on Tuesday, killing one man and injuring two, witnesses said.
China bus plunge deaths climb to 19
A bus plunge in a Chinese province recently struck by icy weather killed at least 19 people as rescuers continued searching for bodies, state media reported.
Manchester faith groups welcome Government U-turn on super-casino
Manchester-based charity Church Action on Poverty has expressed its delight at the Government's decision to scrap plans for a Las Vegas-style super-casino in Manchester.
Most US evangelical leaders still support Iraq war
Most evangelical leaders still support the war in Iraq and want the United States to "stay until the job is done," according to a survey released Monday.
Archbishop of Canterbury slams casinos in Synod debate
The Archbishop of Canterbury has hit out at Government plans to build large casinos across the country, branding them "human pollution" during a debate on gambling at the Church of England General Synod on Tuesday.