News
Myanmar Monks Seize Government Officials
Several hundred young monks in military-ruled Myanmar took a group of government officials hostage inside their provincial monastery on Thursday and burned four of their cars, a witness said.
South Korea Top Spy to Reveal Afghan Hostage Deal 'Later'
South Korea's spy chief has refused to deny his government paid a ransom to the Taliban to release 19 hostages last week, a lawmaker said on Thursday.
UN's Ban Meets Sudan Leaders on Darfur Peace Plans
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met Sudanese officials on Thursday for talks focusing on planned peace negotiations over war-ravaged Darfur and arrangements for a massive peacekeeping force to go there.
APEC Rift Opens Over Climate Change Debate
Leaders at an Asia-Pacific summit appeared deadlocked on Thursday over what their "Sydney declaration" on climate change and cutting greenhouse gas emissions should say.
Killings Spark Ethnic Tension in India
At least 15 tribal people in India's remote northeastern Manipur state have been killed this week in clashes with separatist rebels, police said on Thursday, sparking fears of wider ethnic conflict in the region.
Premier Wen says China Tackling Climate Change
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Thursday the world's fastest-growing major economy was tackling climate change and would work hand in hand with the rest of the world to fight it.
Police Ask to Meet McCanns Again in Madeleine Investigation
The parents of missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann will meet Portuguese police on Thursday after authorities received partial results of evidence tested in Britain, police said.
Fresh Concerns over Human-Animal Hybrid Embryos
Christians have voiced concern over the decision from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) on Wednesday to allow the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos.
Two Men Charged Over Bishop's Stortford Shooting
Two men have been charged in connection with a triple murder at Bishop's Stortford in Hertfordshire, police said on Thursday.
Britain, France: Kosovo a Test of EU Foreign Policy
Securing agreement on the final status of Kosovo, Serbia's breakaway province, is a key test of the European Union's foreign and security policy, the foreign ministers of Britain and France said on Thursday.
EU Court Adviser Gives Boost to Gay Partner Rights
A man who wants the pension of his deceased male partner is entitled to the claim, an adviser to the European Union's top court said on Thursday in a case considered a test of gay rights.
UN Official: Asia Must Deal Bravely with HIV/AIDS
A top U.N. official urged countries in Asia on Thursday to deal squarely and bravely with HIV/AIDS, which he said was being driven dangerously underground because of stigma and conservative attitudes.
US Diplomat: German Bomb Plot Shows Need for Afghan Mission
The suspected car bomb plot uncovered in Germany this week underlines the importance of Germany and other NATO allies keeping troops in Afghanistan, a senior U.S. diplomat said on Thursday.
Luciano Pavarotti Dies Aged 71
Legendary Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who brought opera to the masses with his powerful voice and jovial personality, died on Thursday of pancreatic cancer, aged 71.
Free from Condemnation
When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are free from condemnation! Is there something that you feel guilty about? If you have repented...
Pacific Conference of Churches told 'Christians Need to be Assertive'
The World Council of Churches (WCC) president from the Pacific region, John Taroanui Doom has told Pacific representatives that they need to be assertive "in bringing Pacific perspectives and experience into international forums".