A number of student protesters are being held captive within an Iraqi Kurdistan governate, Ekklesia has heard from peace workers in the area.

Pope Benedict XVI says that a "savage" and "senseless" attack on the Christian community of Iraq should increase the peace efforts of the churches.

Former Lebanon hostage and archbishop's envoy Terry Waite has called for charges against British computer hacker Gary McKinnon to be dropped, amid fears for his safety if he is extradited from the UK to the USA.

World Council of Churches general secretary the Rev Dr Sam Kobia has expressed "joy" at the liberation of Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages in Colombia - and has called for more humanitarian releases.