News
UN says Panama mystery disease is malnutrition
The U.N. has dismissed Panama's claims it is fighting a mystery respiratory illness that has killed at least 10 people, saying the deaths are linked to malnutrition.
Myanmar door ajar to junta-Suu Kyi talks
The door to talks between Myanmar's ruling generals and detained democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi appeared to be ajar on Saturday as Western powers piled pressure on the regime to begin a dialogue with the opposition.
Pakistan's Musharraf sweeps vote, victory hangs on court
Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf swept the most votes in a presidential election on Saturday but he has to wait for the Supreme Court to confirm the legality of his bid before he can be declared winner.
Belly fat, weight cycling ups kidney cancer risk
Postmenopausal women who are overweight or obese appear to have a greater risk of developing, renal cell carcinoma, a common form of kidney cancer, and study findings suggest that a larger waist girth and a history of weight loss and regain further increase this risk.
Canada grants patent waiver for Rwanda AIDS drug
Canada has authorised a company to make a generic version of a patented AIDS therapy drug for export to Rwanda, in the first case of a patent waiver under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.
British lawmakers call for ID fraud tsar
A cross-party group of lawmakers called on the government on Saturday to create an "identity fraud tsar" to tackle a growing crime that is estimated to cost Britain 1.7 billion pounds a year.
Flooding cuts off thousands after typhoon in Vietnam
A typhoon followed by floods and landslides killed up to 30 people in Vietnam with many missing and some villages cut off and inundated by water, officials said on Saturday.
Methodists launch plastic bag campaign
Methodists are backing a nationwide petition to press the Government on the introduction of a 10 pence charge to plastic carrier bags.
Darfur rebel leader threatens to boycott talks
Darfur rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim said on Saturday he would not attend peace talks in Libya this month if more than two rival rebel groups are invited, casting further doubts over the peace process.
Chad says peace deal definitive but rebels quibble
Chad said on Friday a peace deal signed in Libya with four rebel groups, which promises government posts in return for a ceasefire, was definitive but rebel leaders said there were differences over disarmament.
Christian aid groups support self-help along Asia's Old Silk Road
Christian aid agencies helping neglected locals along the Old Silk Road build up their communities.
Archbishop returns from visit to Armenia, Syria and Lebanon
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has returned from a visit to Armenia, Syria and Lebanon.
Fears Burma military will target Christians next
There are concerns that Christian leaders could be targeted by the military regime in Burma, as the crackdown continues - and that the death toll may be far higher than officially admitted.
Euthanasia & assisted-dying concerns for Christians in new Legislation
The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship has lamented the coming into force this month of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. While Dignity in Dying, the pro-euthanasia lobby group, described it as "a great day for patient choice!", the LCF said it was a sad day for many elderly and vulnerable people whose lives could be put at risk.
UN envoy warns of international impact from Myanmar
U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari warned Myanmar on Friday of possible serious international repercussions from its crackdown on pro-democracy protesters and urged the ruling junta to release all political prisoners.
Myanmar warns U.N. Security Council against action
Myanmar told the United Nations on Friday that no action was warranted against its military government over its crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators.