News
World climate deal faces hurdles for '09 deadline
A growing sense of urgency is pushing world leaders to agree a new treaty to fight climate change but the U.S. presidential election might still foil hopes of a deal by the end of 2009, experts told a Reuters summit.
US asks Croatia to take any Kosovo refugees
A Croatian newspaper reports that the United States has asked Croatia to accommodate refugees and keep them out of NATO and European Union territory if a flare-up in Serbia's breakaway Kosovo province provokes a mass exodus.
Iran says will go ahead with disputed atomic work
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the world could not stop the Islamic state's nuclear programme, which the West fears is a cover to build nuclear bomb, the official IRNA news agency said on Thursday.
Sarkozy receives medal for helping to free HIV medics
President Nicolas Sarkozy received Bulgaria's top honour for his role in the freeing of Bulgarian medics from a Libyan jail on Thursday during a visit Paris hopes will help seal major commercial deals.
African Anglican bishops step away from gay row
African Anglican archbishops ducked homosexuality, the issue dividing the worldwide Communion, on Thursday and instead drew attention to the poorest continent's problems.
Pope says Church does not seek economic privileges
Pope Benedict, speaking after the European Commission asked Italy for information on tax breaks for the Roman Catholic Church, said on Thursday the Church did not seek any economic privileges.
Korea deal tests Kim Jong-il's commitment: media
South Korean media questioned on Friday whether the two Koreas' summit pledge to seek a formal end to their 1950-53 war could be realised given Pyongyang's record of broken promises.
Ten killed in storm and floods in central Vietnam
Ten people died and six were missing after a typhoon blew strong winds and heavy rains into central Vietnam, triggering floods, blocking traffic and threatening the lives of thousands, officials said on Friday.
Myanmar junta sets Suu Kyi talks conditions
Myanmar's military ruler set conditions on Thursday for meeting detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as security forces continued to round up people and interrogate hundreds more arrested in a ruthless crackdown on protesters.
Cat tells life story of the Pope, 'my best friend'
Chico the cat describes the life of his "best friend", Pope Benedict, in an authorised biography for children released this week.
Turkey court upholds sentence for priest's killer
Turkey's court of appeals has upheld a jail sentence of just under 19 years for the teenage killer of an Italian Catholic priest, the state Anatolian news agency has reported.
NHS report fuels Brown snap election speculation
The government publishes a report on the National Health Service on Thursday which opposition politicians say has been brought forward to clear the way for Prime Minister Gordon Brown to announce a snap election.
France pushes on with DNA testing for immigrants
French President Nicolas Sarkozy's government avoided a setback over its plan to impose DNA tests on immigrants after making concessions that were approved by the upper house of parliament on Thursday.
Big Nigerian scams intended for UK foiled
Nigerian financial scams which aimed to con Britons out of millions of pounds have been foiled, police said on Thursday.
Japan step closer to extending North Korea sanctions
Japan moved towards extending sanctions against North Korea on Thursday, despite progress in talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions, as Tokyo stuck to demands it must learn the fate of Japanese nationals abducted years ago.
Historic Catholic-Russian Orthodox summit comes a step closer
The Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church are making firm progress in preparing a historic meeting between Patriarch Alexiy II and Pope Benedict, a senior Russian prelate has reported.