News
Hundreds of Iraqis seek aid after battle
Hundreds of Iraqis displaced by fierce battles between al Qaeda militants and U.S. and Iraqi security forces began receiving humanitarian aid on Monday at a camp set up on Baghdad's southern outskirts.
Youths on trial over arson attack in France
Six teenagers went on trial in southern France on Monday over the torching of a bus in 2006, which left one young woman severely burned.
Leadership race could split the ANC
The race for the leadership of South Africa's ruling ANC threatens to split the party apart and, without the guiding hand of its elder statesmen, it could put its future in doubt.
Israel releases prisoners
Israel released 429 Palestinian prisoners on Monday to bolster President Mahmoud Abbas after a U.S.-sponsored conference last week on Palestinian statehood, Israeli officials said.
World's oldest geisha looks to future
Her face creased with age and her hearing faltering, 98-year-old Kokin is proud to have dedicated her life to being a geisha, feted by men for her charm, wit and beauty.
Archbishop welcomes British teacher's pardon in Sudan
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has welcomed the pardon of the British school teacher who was jailed in Sudan for allowing her students to name the class teddy bear Mohammad.
Chavez's bid for new powers rejected
President Hugo Chavez crashed to an unprecedented vote defeat on Monday as Venezuelans rejected his bid to run for re-election indefinitely and win new powers to accelerate his socialist revolution in the OPEC nation.
Pakistan's Sharif barred from January vote
Pakistan's Election Commission on Monday barred former prime minister and opposition leader Nawaz Sharif from a January 8 general election because of his criminal record.
Adviser says British teacher in Sudan pardoned
A British teacher jailed in Sudan for allowing her students to name a teddy bear Mohammad has been pardoned, a Sudanese presidential adviser said on Monday.
Methodist Church launches audio Bible study
A Word in Time, the Methodist Church's online Bible study for daily life, was launched at the beginning of September and has been hugely successful, with around 300 visitors to the site every day.
Welsh clerics express 'concern and dismay' over plans for women bishops
A hundred clerics and ordinands of the Church in Wales have expressed "concern and dismay" at the wording of a Bill meant to allow women to join the episcopate, reports the Church Times.
Catholics get ready to welcome back lapsed believers this Christmas
'O Come All Ye Faithful' is the cry of the Catholic Church this Christmas with the launch of its new campaign this Christmas to welcome lapsed believers.
Indian cardinal calls for alcohol-free Christmas to save families
A Roman Catholic Cardinal in Kerala, India, has urged Christians to celebrate an alcohol-free Christmas this year.
Church of England releases virtual Christmas cards on Facebook
This Advent, the Church of England has blessed a selection of virtual Christmas cards to be released on social networking site Facebook.
Putin scores landslide win
President Vladimir Putin's party scored a landslide win in Russia's election, results showed on Monday, but the opposition vowed to challenge an outcome that could help Putin keep a grip on power after he leaves office.
Australia ratifies Kyoto pact
Australia's new prime minister, Kevin Rudd, took the oath of office on Monday and immediately signed documents to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, ending his country's decade of opposition to the global climate agreement.