News
Japan PM calls Okinawa rape case 'unforgivable'
Top Japanese officials on Tuesday denounced the suspected rape of a 14-year-old girl by a U.S. Marine on the southern island of Okinawa, an episode with echoes of a 1995 case that jolted the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Myanmar says dissidents tearing country apart
Myanmar's military junta accused pro-democracy and dissident groups on Tuesday of trying to tear the country apart, and urged the public to back its "roadmap to democracy" in a referendum on a new constitution in May.
Archbishop of Canterbury defends Sharia law comments to Synod
The Archbishop of Canterbury opened the Church of England General Synod to rapturous applause on Monday as he attempted to clarify his comments on Islamic law.
The Afters announce release of 'Never Going Back To OK'
INO/Columbia Record's rock pop band The Afters are preparing to release their highly anticipated sophomore project "Never Going Back to OK" on February 26, which has already garnered a top 5 track at Christian CHR and Rock charts in the US for the self-titled first single.
Rabbis may vote to denounce prayer backed by Pope
Conservative rabbis could vote this week on a resolution warning that a Latin prayer backed by Pope Benedict XVI, urging Jews to embrace Christ, could endanger strengthening Jewish-Catholic ties.
HK's next Catholic head to bridge Sino-Vatican ties - report
The next leader of Hong Kong's Catholic Church said he would take a more flexible approach in bridging Vatican and China ties, while hinting he would be less outspoken than the current head, a newspaper reported on Monday.
URC head aims to reconcile 'Reformed' with 'spirituality' in new book
General Secretary of the United Reformed Church, the aims to redress the imbalance in the URC between 'Reformed' and 'spirituality' in his new book 'Letting God be God'.
USPG celebrates victory in battle against Bangladesh sex trade
A Bangladeshi woman who was abducted and forced into sex work has received compensation following the intervention of the Church of Bangladesh.
Divided evangelicals key to US election
Widening political divisions in the once-united US evangelical community as Arizona Senator John McCain closes in on the Republican presidential nomination could hurt the party in the November White House race.
Egypt court recognises reversion to Christianity
In a landmark case, an Egyptian court ruled on Saturday that the state must recognise the right of Christians who convert to Islam to change their minds and revert to Christianity, court sources said.
Obama rides momentum before 'Potomac Primaries'
Democrat Barack Obama is riding a burst of momentum into Tuesday's U.S. presidential nominating contests with a string of weekend wins, while Republican John McCain received praise from onetime rival President George W. Bush as he tries to woo conservatives.
Gates backs pause in future U.S. troop pullout
U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Monday he backed a brief pause in U.S. troop reductions from Iraq once an initial pullout of five combat brigades has been completed in July.
East Timor president in coma
East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot and critically wounded at his home in Dili on Monday in an assassination attempt by rebel soldiers that analysts said could spark renewed violence and political chaos in the tiny nation.
Methodists send £30,000 to aid flood victims in southern Africa
The Methodist Church in Great Britain is sending a solidarity grant of £30,000 to Methodist Churches in southern Africa to provide support for flood victims.
Miliband urges NATO not to abandon Afghanistan
Afghanistan could degenerate into a "failed state" if NATO were to pull out troops and abandon efforts to stabilise the country, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Monday.
Winehouse rules Grammys
Pop singer Amy Winehouse, whose rapid decline into an abyss of drug abuse shocked fans last year, won five Grammy Awards on Sunday after taking a break from rehab to perform at the show from London.