Roman Catholic social justice advocates have joined in widespread criticism of new laws restricting protests during World Youth Day in Sydney this month, which Pope Benedict XVI will attend in his first visit to Australia.

Supporters of inclusive schooling have expressed disappointment at a high court judgment that fails to consider seriously religious discrimination under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Chinese government has given permission for special distribution of booklets of the Gospels, copies of the New Testament and full Bibles during the Olympic Games, but other concerns about freedom of speech and expression remain.

A student Christian leader Zimbabwe has urged the international community to intervene, following the decision of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to withdraw from the presidential runoff, citing escalating violence against supporters.