Several Islamic groups on Friday demanded the recall of the Vatican’s first envoy to Malaysia, describing him as an “enemy of the state” after he supported the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Friday announced that no more boatpeople will be resettled in Australia as refugees, with all unauthorised arrivals to be sent to poverty-stricken Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Grieving parents rampaged through a village in eastern India to protest the deaths of 23 pupils who ate a poisoned school lunch and the perceived slow police response to the tragedy, officials said Friday.

Faced with widespread concerns in Europe over its genetically modified foods, US agro-chemicals giant Monsanto said Thursday it was giving up on plans to grow new GM crops in the EU, which has held up approval for years.
“We will no longer be pursuing approvals for cultivation of new biotech crops in Europe,” Monsanto said, adding that it would now focus on its conventional seeds business.

Italian screenwriter Vincenzo Cerami, author of the screenplay for Life is Beautiful by Roberto Benigni, died on Thursday at the age of 72.

Thousands of schoolchildren were refusing free meals in poverty-stricken eastern India after 22 children died from eating lunch apparently contaminated with insecticide, officials said Thursday.

England captain Alastair Cook said team spirit could never be taken for granted as Australia battled to present a united front after accusations of dressing room disharmony made by ex-coach Mickey Art

Pakistan returned to their self-destructive ways as the West Indies completed a 37-run victory in the second One-Day International at the Guyana National Stadium on Tuesday.

Australian batsman David Warner has admitted he is devastated by the idea that his off-field behaviour may have played a part in the sacking of national coach Mickey Arthur.

The International Cricket Council took the unusual step on Tuesday of publicly defending the performances of its officials and the Decision Review System in a specific match following the controversial first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.