News

China human rights a worry post-Olympics - lawyer

Chinese law expert warns that a boycott of the Olympic Games will not stop human rights abuses in China.

Rescuers save 1,950 South African gold miners - 1,250 still trapped

Around 1,250 miners remained trapped more than a mile underground in a South African gold mine on Thursday after an all-night rescue mission in which 1,950 have already been saved.

Indonesia to plant 79m trees in one day to fight climate change

Indonesia, which in the past has destroyed vast tracts of forest, ha said it will plant 79 million trees in a single day ahead of the U.N. climate change summit in Bali in December.

US military: Iraq MP found at al Qaeda meeting

A member of Iraq's parliament is being questioned in U.S. custody after an Iraqi special forces raid on a suspected al Qaeda meeting, the U.S. military has said.

Tutu, Carter & Branson: Darfur violent and divided

International elder statesmen including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former US President Jimmy Carter, and Virgin tycoon Richard Branson have reported that Darfur was rife with violence and was deeply divided, after returning from the region today.

Soaring food prices will hurt world's poor

Soaring food prices will hurt the world's poor and increase the risks of political upheaval, a senior United Nations food agency official said on Thursday.

Ex-Sandhurst head wins princes stress claims case

The former head of the military academy where Princes William and Harry were trained has won libel damages over claims he quit due to the stress of coping with the royal recruits.

Activist tells West not to forget Chechnya

The West must not forget the people of Chechnya, who remain victims of killings, torture and disappearances despite the winding down of more than 10 years of war in their homeland, a Chechen activist has said.

Turkey to modify referendum text to avoid dispute

Turkey's ruling AK Party has proposed amending a text on constitutional reform for a referendum this month in order to avert legal challenges to the status of President Abdullah Gul.

Cholera spreads in Middle East, says World Health Organisation

Cholera has crossed the border in the Middle East from Iraq to Iran, further revealing the need for neighbouring countries to boost their defences against the deadly disease.

US set to continue dominance of science Nobel Prizes

Heavy spending by the United States on research is likely to bear fruit again next week, as the country's leading scientists have been tipped to dominate the Nobel awards in physics, chemistry and medicine.

'Death to Pope' graffiti appears in Naples ahead of visit

Graffiti speaking out against Roman Catholic head Pope Benedict, including one reading "Death to Ratzinger", has been found on walls in Naples ahead of a scheduled visit there by the Pontiff later this month.

Myanmar junta increase pressure on dissenters

Myanmar's junta have gradually been easing its iron grip on the country's main city on Thursday, however, they have continued to round up scores of people and grill hundreds more arrested during and after a merciless crackdown on pro-democracy marches.