News
20 years on, world in dire straits, U.N. says
Two decades after a landmark report sounded alarm bells about the state of the planet and called for urgent action to change direction, the world is still in dire straits, a U.N. agency said on Thursday.
Rights violations soar in south Russia - Amnesty
Human rights violations in the Russian region of Ingushetia have increased with a surge in abductions and beatings, Amnesty International said on Thursday.
Children in Afghanistan at increasing risk - UNICEF
Suicide bombings, attacks on schools and roadside bombs have put the lives of scores of young Afghans at increasing risk, and threaten to undercut important gains in girls' education, UNICEF said on Thursday.
California turns corner on wildfires
Firefighters gained the upper hand on nearly all of the California wildfires on Thursday as winds died down after five days battling 20 fires from the mountains north of Los Angeles down to the Mexican border.
Peace talks needed in Afghanistan, says Christian Aid
Christian Aid has called on the UK Government to encourage peace talks between the Afghan Government and insurgency groups like the Taliban.
Chad rebels intend to free U.S. missionary
Chadian rebels holding hostage a U.S. missionary said on Wednesday they suspected he was a Chadian government spy but intended to free him soon.
Developing world needs chronic disease help - expert
Health efforts in the developing world should not ignore the growing problem of non-communicable conditions such as cancer and obesity and need culturally appropriate, cheap solutions, an expert said on Thursday.
Congo forces rape, kill Kabila opponents - Amnesty
The Democratic Republic of Congo should reform its security forces and prosecute members accused of raping, murdering and torturing suspected opponents of President Joseph Kabila, Amnesty International said on Thursday.
Despairing refugees await Darfur security force
Hawa Abdallah Mohamed says she fled to this miserable camp after government forces and state-backed militia attacked her village in North Darfur almost five years ago.
Madeleine father rejects drugging reports
The father of missing British girl Madeleine McCann on Wednesday angrily rejected Portuguese media reports he and his wife Kate had drugged their children.
Darfur lawyer Osman wins European rights prize
The European Parliament on Thursday awarded its annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Sudanese human rights lawyer Salih Mahmoud Osman.
Environment ministers target 2009 climate treaty
An informal meeting of environment ministers in Indonesia has accepted the need for negotiations on a new treaty to fight climate change to be wrapped up by 2009, a U.N. official said on Thursday.
German charities airlift seriously injured children from Afghanistan
German charities have airlifted seriously injured children from Afghanistan to receive free medical treatment in Germany.
Faith-based universities told to clarify 'Christian ethos' to employees
Universities in Britain with Church of England foundations have been told to highlight their Christian beliefs to make it easier to discipline or dismiss people working for them should they openly express ideas that contradict core principles.
Latin American women leaders prepare to discuss feminisation of HIV
The former president of the World YWCA will be among key women leaders taking part in a high profile conference on Friday to address the increasing feminisation of HIV in Latin America.
World Council of Churches completes Leadership Team with 2 appointments
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has completed the formation of its leadership team this week with the appointment of two well-known personalities from the ecumenical family renowned for their achievements in faith-based advocacy and interfaith dialogue.