News
Canada makes Burma's Suu Kyi an honorary citizen
The Canadian lower chamber of Parliament on Wednesday granted honorary citizenship to Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent nearly 12 of the last 18 years in prison or under house arrest.
Methodist Council upholds 1993 resolutions on human sexuality
The first of three meetings planned for the Methodist Church's current Connexional Year has taken place at the High Leigh Conference Centre in Hertfordshire this week.
Allies urge Turkey to hold off North Iraq action
The United States and other Western allies, as well as Baghdad, urged Turkey to refrain from military action in northern Iraq after Ankara's parliament gave permission on Wednesday for an attack on Kurdish separatists there.
Putin gave Iran 'special' atomic message
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave Iran a "special message" on its disputed atomic programme and other issues, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator was quoted as saying on Wednesday, without giving details.
Ex-UN boss launches forum for climate change fight
Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Wednesday launched a "Global Humanitarian Forum" which he said would focus on coordinating international efforts to counter the effects of climate change.
UN raises ceiling on staff levels in Iraq
The United Nations has raised its limit on the number of international staff it can send to Iraq as it tries to expand its operations there, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
US, UNESCO to cooperate on global digital library
The U.S. Library of Congress and UNESCO will cooperate to develop a digital library of works from around the world, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization said on Wednesday.
Rick Warren launches new plan to multiply impact worldwide
Saddleback Church, one of the largest churches in the US, has launched a new global vision to multiply impact on the local and international levels.
Gospel Music Association Partners with American Bible Society
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) and The American Bible Society (ABS) have recently agreed to a long-term Ministry Partnership that celebrates songwriters who incorporate the Bible's life-changing message into their music.
Experimental malaria vaccine works in babies
African babies -- the group most at risk of dying from malaria -- may be protected against the mosquito-borne disease by an experimental vaccine, researchers said on Wednesday.
Church Action on Poverty hits out at Cameron and Brown
The National Coordinator of Church Action on Poverty has hit out at David Cameron and Gordon Brown for their "warm words" on poverty.
Christian MP ponders Lib Dem leadership race
Following the sudden resignation of Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, a Christian Lib Dem has emerged who is said to be "seriously considering" a push for leadership of the party.
Canadian move pushes Anglicans closer to schism
Faced with a bid from Canadian clerics to bless gay weddings, the worldwide Anglican Communion now faces a real risk of breaking apart over differences between its liberal and conservative wings.
Lebanon urged to treat Palestinian refugees better
The Lebanese government must do more to alleviate the miserable conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon who are treated like "second-class citizens", Amnesty International said on Wednesday.
Pope Benedict names 23 cardinals, 18 'electors'
Pope Benedict named 23 new Roman Catholic cardinals on Wednesday, including 18 who will be members of a secret conclave to elect his successor.
Somali intelligence forces seize aid worker
Up to 60 Somali intelligence officers stormed a U.N. compound in Mogadishu on Wednesday and seized the World Food Programme's local chief of operations at gunpoint.