Top story: At least six Egyptian Coptic Christians and a security official were killed in a drive-by shooting while leaving a Christmas Eve mass yesterday, part of a growing wave of inter-religious violence in the country. Today, rioting broke out at a a funeral procession for the victims.
The shooting, which took place outside a church in the town of Naj Hammadi, is thought to be in retaliation for the rape of a 12-year-old Muslim girl by a Christian man in November. Five days of rioting followed that crime. The Church's bishop said they had been warned of an attack on Christmas eve and had cut services short.
At today's funeral, thousands of protesters threw rocks and clashed with police. They were frustrated by the hospitals delays in releasing the bodies to be buried.
Copts account for about 10 percent of Egypt's population. Attacks against the community have increased in recent years according to Amnesty International.
Kimonomics: North Korea's recent decisions to crack down on private markets and revalue the country's currency have led to rampant inflation.
Asia
- Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for last week's attack on a CIA base in Afghanistan.
- A 20-hour gun battle between militants and Indian security forces in Kashmir ended with four dead.
- Thousands of former Maoist child soldiers have been released the camps where they have been held, as part of a peace deal.
Middle East
- Eight people were killed in bomb attacks in the Iraqi city of Hit.
- Iraq and Iran have begun talks on their disputed border.
- Yemen says attempted plane bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab may have met with a radical Yemeni-American cleric linked to the Ft. Hood shooting.
Europe
- An attempt by Labour party lawmakers to oust British Prime Minister Gordon Brown failed yesterday.
- Iceland's President promised his country would repay British and Dutch investors who lost money in the collapse of an Icelandic bank, despite having vetoed a bill to do so.
- France's opposition Socialist party came out against a proposed ban on the wearing of burkas.
Africa
- At least 139 people may have been killed in a tribal attack in Southern Sudan last weekend.
- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is urging the softening of his country's controversial proposed anti-gay bill.
- The Nigerian opposition has accused the government of forging ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua's signiture on offcial documents.
Americas
- Honduran prosecutors issued arrest warrants for six of the country's top generals in connection with last year's coup.
- The Cuban government says the U.S. contractor who was arrested in Havana last month was working for U.S. intelligence.
- Mexican President Felipe Calderon said that creating jobs and reducing poverty will be higher priorities than fighting the drug war this year.
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