News
Religious Freedom Another Casualty in Iraq
Religious freedom is another casualty of the war in Iraq, where believers of all faiths are harassed, kidnapped or even killed, a U.S. government report said on Friday.
Chad Rebels Warn EU Force Against Blocking Them
Chadian rebels warned on Friday they would fight a European Union peacekeeping force destined for the eastern border region with Darfur if it tried to obstruct their struggle to topple President Idriss Deby.
US Says its Ozone Bid Beats Kyoto on Climate Change
A U.S. proposal to hasten the phase-out of gases that damage the ozone layer will be twice as effective as the Kyoto Protocol in fighting climate change, a top adviser to President George W. Bush said on Friday.
Darfur Rebels Urge Defiant Leader to Attend Peace Talks
Rebel commanders in the Darfur region of western Sudan urged the founder of their movement on Friday to take part in negotiations on ending four and a half years of conflict in Darfur.
Iran Hits Back at Canada at U.N. Rights Forum
Iran hit back at Canada on Friday for criticising its rising number of executions and treatment of women, accusing Ottawa of racism, police brutality and treating its indigenous people like second class citizens.
Germany Rejects EU Idea to Woo Foreign Workers
Germany on Friday rejected a European Commission plan to encourage legal migration of skilled workers into Europe to ease labour shortages caused by a declining, ageing population.
Floods in Africa Kill Dozens and Wipe Out Crops
Floods from torrential rains have caused the deaths of at least 80 more people, displaced thousands, and devastated crops and livestock across sub-Saharan Africa, officials said on Friday.
Merkel Backs Online Monitoring to Fight Terrorism
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday that Germany must allow security services to use the Internet to track terrorist suspects' online movements.
At Least 56 Die Crossing from Somalia to Yemen
At least 56 Africans died trying to cross from Somalia to Yemen in the past 10 days, and others were beaten and doused with acid on a failed journey, the United Nations refugee agency said on Friday.
Canada to Observe Nukes-for-Peace Talks
Canada has decided to send an observer to ministerial talks on a U.S.-led initiative to provide nuclear fuel to other countries in a way designed to limit proliferation, a Canadian official said on Friday.
UN Seeks $40 Million for Nicaragua Hurricane Aid
The United Nations made an emergency appeal for nearly $40 million on Friday to aid tens of thousands of Nicaraguans after Hurricane Felix tore into their country last week.
New Multilateral Push Aims to Cut African Poverty
With Africa lagging behind in global development goals and rich countries cutting aid, leaders of multilateral financial institutions decided on Friday it was time to mobilize resources to reduce extreme poverty on the continent.
UN Extends Prosecutor Del Ponte's Term to Year-end
The U.N. Security Council on Friday extended the appointment of Carla del Ponte as prosecutor of war crimes in the former Yugoslavia until Dec. 31, when her still-unnamed successor will take over.
Sudanese President Aays Ready to Observe Ceasefire
Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir said on Friday his government was willing to observe a ceasefire in Darfur from the start of peace talks with the rebels next month.
US Sees Korea Talks Next Week Despite Syria Report
The lead U.S. negotiator with North Korea said on Friday he expected to attend six-party talks on ending Pyongyang's atomic programs next week despite reports Syria might have received North Korean nuclear aid.
Christians Rally around Foot and Mouth Community
Volunteers from the local farming community and churches are offering their support to the farming community around Egham, Surrey, following the latest outbreak of foot and mouth disease.