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UK: 'Children are being trafficked into the UK from Africa and used for human sacrifices, a confidential report for the Metropolitan Police suggests. Children are being beaten and even murdered after being labelled as witches by pastors, the report leaked to BBC Radio 4's Today programme said.' (BBC)

Kyrgyzstan: 'Police have recaptured the electoral commission in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek, after it was stormed by hundreds of protesters.' (BBC)

China: 'Taking Aim at Mao: A new biography of Mao Zedong claims that the Chinese leader was beyond redemption.' (Time)

China: 'The Rise of a New Power: A communist Economic juggernaut emerges to challenge the west.' (US News)

Jordan: 'A Jordanian court of appeal rejected a last-ditch appeal this week from the Muslim guardian fighting for custody of Christian widow Siham Qandah’s two minor children. The June 13 decision reconfirmed an earlier verdict from Amman’s Al-Abdali Sharia Court two months ago which revoked the legal guardianship of Abdullah al-Muhtadi, the maternal uncle of Qandah’s daughter Rawan and son Fadi. According to Qandah’s lawyer, this final verdict from the appellate court cannot be appealed. It effectively cancels all other pending cases regarding permanent custody of the children. Al-Muhtadi has been ordered by the court to repay misspent funds he had withdrawn from his wards’ inheritance accounts without judicial approval. Qandah may now select a new guardian for court approval to oversee her children’s legal affairs until they reach maturity at age 18.' (Compass Direct)

Kyrgyzstan: 'The Kyrgyz government "controls" 300 students currently studying in Islamic colleges in Egypt and Iran through the muftiate (the official Islamic spiritual leadership), an official has told Forum 18 News Service. Samsabek Zakirov, head of the religious affairs committee for Osh region, also told Forum 18 that "in southern Kyrgyzstan practically all the mosques are registered and are therefore under government control." Zakirov is not satisfied at this level of control and also intends to ensure that travelling Muslim missionaries "only preach with permission from the muftiate," or official Islamic leadership. Kyrgyz law does not require this permission. Local people have told Forum 18 they fear that last month's uprising in Uzbekistan could destabilise the situation in southern Kyrgyzstan and believe the government may tighten its religious policy. But so far there have been "no noticeable significant changes," Sadykjan Kamaluddin, former mufti of Kyrgyzstan, told Forum 18.' (Forum 18)

Uzbekistan: 'Human Rights Watch is concerned for the safety of a four-person delegation from the International Helsinki Federation visiting Andijan, whom Uzbek police forced to leave the province on June 15. The incident is the latest in a crackdown against the human rights community since the May 13 massacre.' (Human Rights Watch)

Bangladesh: 'Government Fails to Act Against Religious Violence: Attacks on Minority Ahmadis Continue Amidst Censorship and Pogroms.' (Human Rights Watch)

Uzbekistan: 'Akramia was at the centre of May's uprising, but it is still unclear if it is a bona fide peaceful religious group, or if it is violent. Their origins date from the founder, Akram Yuldashev, writing an Islamic theological pamphlet in Uzbek, Yimonga Yul (Path to faith), which he states did not touch on political issues, but rather on general moral themes. Those close to group members have insisted on this point to Forum 18 News Service, as does the Russian-language translation. The only indirect evidence that Akramia was pressing for violence prior to the uprising is a so-called supplement to Yimonga Yul; it is unknown both who wrote the supplement and whose ideas it contains. The main source of Akamia support in the uprising's centre, Andijan, seems to have been their "Islamic socialist" employment practices. Much is unclear about both Akramia and the events leading to the Andijan massacre, but calls for a credible thorough independent investigation have been rejected by the Uzbek government.' (Forum 18)

Uzbekistan: 'Devout peaceful Muslims across Uzbekistan, not just in the area where May's uprising took place, are being forced by the authorities to make written declarations that they will not participate in "illegal religious organisations" or join "extremist organisations," Forum 18 News Service has learnt. As all unregistered religious activity is illegal, "illegal religious organisations" range from bona fide peaceful religious communities to violent Islamist groups. Human rights activists, from the uprising's centre in the Fergana Valley, have told Forum 18 that they believe that harsh government repression will worsen the situation for all faiths. This view has been supported by Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses and Hare Krishna devotees. One Protestant pastor told Forum 18 that "the situation in the city remains very tense … you hear people saying that Uzbeks need to seize state buildings, and that the police and army won't act against the demonstrators next time."' (Forum 18)

Nepal: 'The world should suspend the sale of weapons to Nepal, the human rights group Amnesty International has urged.' (BBC)

Pakistan: 'Women's rights in Pakistan: The woman who dared to cry rape. When Mukhtar Mai was gang-raped on the orders of village elders to settle a tribal score, she shocked Pakistan by taking her case to the courts.But now she has found herself persecuted once again.' (Independent)

China: 'Ten years ago, China kidnapped six-year-old Tibetan Buddhist Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family just after his recognition as Panchen Lama (they have not been seen since) and imposed a new puppet Panchen Lama. This is a dramatic example, Forum 18 News Service notes, of continuing Chinese efforts to control religious communities. Also, small numbers of Communist Party sympathisers, who may even be secret Party members, have been placed in the officially-recognised Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Muslim and Daoist leaderships. But these control attempts are increasingly ineffective for reasons such as the reluctance of ethnic minority religious leaderships, such as of the Tibetan Buddhists and Uighur Muslims, to associate with the state; the continuing strong growth of communities such as unofficial Protestants and Vatican-loyal Catholics; and a generally greater willingness to resist state control. Lower-level leaders have told Forum 18 that the Party might be able to slow and sometimes repress religious zeal, but it can no longer stop it.' (Forum 18)

Lebanon: 'Lebanon's firebrand Christian leader and ex-army chief, Michel Aoun, has won a huge victory in the third round of parliamentary elections, results show. Mr Aoun, a long-term critic of Syria, demanded the issue of Syrian influence in Lebanon be put aside and allied himself with pro-Syria candidates.' (BBC)

Turkey: 'Europe's political crisis threatens to engulf talks on EU spending, moves to ratify the European constitution and Turkey's ambitions to join the bloc.' (Independent)

Pakistan: 'Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf says the opportunity to resolve the conflict between his nation and India over Kashmir must be seized while he and Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh are still in power.' (CNN)

Lebanon: 'Pro-Syrian candidates appear headed for victory in the third phase of four rounds of Lebanon's parliamentary election. In a surprise result, former army commander Michel Aoun and his allies are in the lead in a key voting district, following a split between a Christian bloc and the mainly Muslim opposition.' (CNN)

World: 'Sudha in Nepal helps boost her family's small earnings from farming by working as a stone crusher, providing material to build roads near her home - a job she began when she was 12. Sudha is one of an estimated one million children who work in small-scale mining and quarrying across the globe, the International Labour Organization (ILO) says in a report released to mark World Day Against Child Labour on 12 June.' (BBC)

Syria: 'Bush: Syria must not interfere in Lebanon. Syrian ambassador: Allegations 'ridiculous'. President Bush said Friday that he was disturbed by reports that Syria might still have intelligence agents operating in Lebanon.' (CNN)

Syria: 'Syria's ruling Baath party has voted to ease a state of emergency that has been in force for more than 40 years. The four-day congress also decided to allow new political parties to be formed, but parties based on religion or ethnicity are expected to be banned.' (BBC)

Nepal: 'More than 50 journalists have been freed in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, a day after they were arrested during a protest against curbs on press freedom.' (BBC)

Afghanistan: 'Healing Afghanistan's war scars: Cradled in the arms of a US special forces soldier, a fragile young girl is levered on to a Black Hawk helicopter, an American "ambulance of the sky" bristling with machine guns and operated by gun-toting medics.' (BBC)

India: 'Around 200 Hindu extremists attacked a church in Moti Chowk village, Chattisgarh, India, on June 6, while services were underway. Police then arrested nine church members and charged them with “disturbing the peace” under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code. The nine Christians were kept in prison for two days before being released on bail. Meanwhile, the Hindu extremists called for a social boycott against the Christian community in the village, preventing them from using the community well or buying food supplies in local markets. Three days earlier, 13 Christians in Hathod village, Durg district, Chattisgarh, were summoned to a village meeting and asked to renounce their faith. Seven Christians who refused were locked up in the district jail. Police made it difficult for the Christians to be released on bail, saying that the bail amount must be raised within the village. However, fellow villagers who sympathized with the Christians were afraid to post bail because of the social influence of the village headman and Hindu extremists.' (Compass Direct)

Uzbekistan: 'In the wake of the Andijan massacre, the Uzbek government is targeting human rights defenders and opposition activists for arrest, beatings and intimidation, Human Rights Watch said today.' (Human Rights Watch)

Turkmenistan: 'Annamurad Meredov, the religious affairs official who led a ten-strong raiding party on a Baptist service in the town of Mary on 9 June has insisted to Forum 18 News Service that the service was "illegal", although the Church has registration at the national level. "The church's pastor asked them to explain the legal basis for the visit and to identify themselves, but this was ignored," local Baptists told Forum 18. "All those present were subjected to interrogation one by one and were recorded on video-camera." Meredov denied Baptist claims that he banned the church from meeting but refused to say what will happen the next time the Mary congregation meets for worship. "As before, the authorities continue to use the same methods against Christians, including recording personal details and places of work, demanding that they show their identity papers and banning them from meeting," Baptists complain.' (Forum 18)

Bangladesh: 'Bangladesh tea trade gets new brew: Bangladeshis are growing increasingly fond of tea.' (BBC)

India: 'The leader of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), LK Advani, has submitted his resignation. He offered to step down as party president at the end of a six-day visit to Pakistan, where he praised the nation's founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah.' (BBC)

Nepal: 'Nepal's Supreme Court has overturned a government order to close a radio production company serving community stations around the country.' (BBC)

World: 'Tony Blair has struck an outline deal with President George Bush to wipe out the debts of Africa's poorest nations as the first step towards a $25bn (£13.6bn) aid package for the continent. Although the US President rejected some of Britain's proposals, Mr Blair expressed optimism that a ground-breaking agreement to double global aid to Africa would be secured at next month's summit of the G8 nations at Gleneagles in Scotland.' (Independent)

Uzbekistan: 'The killing of unarmed protesters by the Uzbek government in Andijan last month was so extensive and unjustified that it amounted to a massacre, Human Rights Watch said today in releasing the most comprehensive investigation to date of the tragic events in eastern Uzbekistan.' (Human Rights Watch)

Syria: 'Syrian President Bashar Assad has said the media and technological revolution sweeping the region and the world is helping his country's foes to undermine and crush the Arab identity.' (CNN)

USA: 'In God we Trust: America's rising religious zealotry.' (Independent)

India: 'Police in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh found the body of Pastor Isaac Raju on June 2. Raju went missing on May 24. Just days earlier, on May 21, the body of Pastor K. Daniel was found with marks suggestive of an acid attack. Both Raju and Daniel pastored churches on the outskirts of the state capital, Hyderabad. A letter sent to a local newspaper claimed the murders were the work of an organization called the “Anti-Christian Forum.” After the letter was received, police questioned 150 members of Hindu nationalist organizations but at press time, had no suspects. A reward has now been offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the murders.' (Compass Direct)

China: 'Jung Chang and Jon Halliday have revealed Mao as one of the 20th century's greatest monsters, says Michael Yahuda.' (Guardian)

Nepal: 'At least 38 people have been killed after a packed passenger bus ran over a suspected rebel landmine in southern Nepal, the army says. Another 70 were hurt, many seriously, in the blast in Chitwan district. State radio put the number killed at over 50.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'Hezbollah and its pro-Syrian ally Amal have claimed overwhelming victories in phase two of Lebanon's parliamentary elections. The two parties, Syria's most powerful allies in Lebanon, say they have won all 23 seats in the southern areas bordering Israel.' (CNN)

Nepal: 'Lawyers in Nepal have demanded the immediate dissolution of the country's government. Nepal's Bar Association said the formation of the government by King Gyanendra when he assumed direct power in February was unconstitutional.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'Political ghosts haunt Lebanese poll: Lebanon is holding its first general elections for 30 years, free of the shadow of a Syrian military presence. Jim Muir, who has reported from Lebanon over many years, looks at what has changed in the country - and what has not.' (BBC)

China: 'China has stepped up security in Beijing on the 16th anniversary of the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square. Officers have been patrolling the square and keeping dissenters under guard to avoid any protests. Hundreds were killed when troops moved in to suppress a demonstration for more political freedoms in the country.' (BBC)

China: 'A senior Chinese diplomat who left his job at his country's consulate-general in Sydney has addressed a rally to commemorate the Tiananmen events. "I feel very unsafe," he told a crowd of several hundred people in Sydney. "In 16 years, the Chinese government has done nothing for political reform. People have no political freedom, no human rights," he added.' (BBC)

India: 'India wants a new world trade pact that would prevent the United States and other countries from taking steps to ban companies from outsourcing jobs, a top Indian official has said.' (CNN)

Uzbekistan: 'Citing the threat of possible terrorist attacks, the U.S. and Israeli embassies in Uzbekistan have ordered nonessential personnel to leave, the U.S. State Department and Israeli Foreign Ministry said.' (CNN)

Turkmenistan: 'Life expectancy in Turkmenistan is just 62 - lower than in any other country in Europe and Central Asia, a British study has found.' (BBC)

World: 'U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday told a U.N. special conference on HIV/AIDS that the global response to the disease was insufficient, saying "the epidemic continues to outrun our efforts to contain it." The executive director of UNAIDS, Dr. Peter Piot, also told the conference that the AIDS epidemic needs to get the same attention from world leaders as "the most urgent security threats and crises" and "not an iota less."' (CNN)

India & Pakistan: 'A number of top Kashmiri separatist leaders have crossed the Line of Control into Pakistani-administered territory on a landmark visit. ' (BBC)

Egypt: 'Hundreds of Egyptians have staged an angry protest against the alleged sexual harassment of female activists and reporters by government supporters. A number of women say they were assaulted by loyalists from the party of President Hosni Mubarak during voting on a referendum last week.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'A prominent Lebanese journalist known for his anti-Syrian writings was killed after a bomb placed in his car exploded Thursday, police said, as the country was in the midst of parliamentary elections, free for the first time of overt Syrian interference.' (CNN)

Uzbekistan: 'The last legal Protestant church in north-west Uzbekistan has been closed by the Karakalpakstan region's Justice Ministry, Forum 18 News Service has learnt. As all unregistered religious activity in Uzbekistan is illegal, the church cannot now legally operate. Klara Alasheva, first deputy Justice Minister, denied that her ministry's closure of the church was persecution of the Protestant minority. "We warned the church last year not to conduct missionary activity but they carried on regardless," she told Forum 18. Alasheva claimed that Uzbekistan's ban on missionary activity violates its international human rights commitments. "That's what you're claiming, but we're legal specialists," she told Forum 18. The authorities in north-west Uzbekistan have long conducted an anti-Christian campaign, but Protestants in the region are known to still be active.' (Forum 18)

India: 'Citing improvements in religious liberty, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom last month asked that India be removed from the U.S. government’s list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC). India was designated a CPC in 2004 after a series of violent attacks on Muslims and Christians. The Commission felt the BJP government in power at the time did not adequately address the killing of nearly 2,000 Muslims in riots in 2002, nor had it protected the Christian minority from other violent attacks. Church leaders in India expressed surprise over the latest USCIRF decision and say a climate of religious hostility is still evident. “The RSS [a Hindu extremist organization with close ties to the BJP] ... [is] spreading hate among the tribals and buying its way into the bureaucracy and judiciary,” said Dr. John Dayal, a prominent Indian Christian and memberof the National Integration Council.' (Compass Direct)

Afghanistan: 'At least 20 people have died in a suspected suicide bomb attack at a mosque in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, the worst attack this year. Kabul police chief Mohammed Akram was among those killed, officials say.' (BBC)

Pakistan: 'A mob angered by an al Qaeda-linked suicide bombing in a Shiite mosque set a KFC restaurant on fire in overnight rioting, killing six employees and bringing the day's overall death toll to 12, police said Tuesday.' (CNN)