Christian-Muslim fighting resumes in Egypt

NAGAA HAMADI - Renewed fighting was reported in the Egyptian city of Nagaa Hamadi Friday evening, the same day police arrested three suspects in connection with a drive-by shooting outside a church earlier this week which left nine dead, a security source said.

Reviving Bangladesh’s secular polity: Impact for subcontinent (Comment)

The rekindling of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s secularism in Bangladesh will mark a dramatic transformation from the present doom-laden atmosphere of terrorism in the subcontinent as well as in the larger Islamic world.

Mrs. Robinson’s affair with teen rocks Northern Ireland; husband’s leadership in doubt

Mrs. Robinson’s affair with teen rocks NIreland

Iraq Sunni politician to appeal electoral ban that analysts say may endanger March polls

Iraq Sunni leader will appeal March election ban

Portugal’s Parliament votes in favor of same-sex marriages

Portugal parliament votes to permit gay marriage

Iraqi group to bar Sunni leader from election over Baath ties, raising concerns for March vote

Iraq Sunni leader may be kept from election

Uganda lawmaker says he will refuse government request to withdraw anti-gay death penalty bill

Uganda lawmaker refuses to withdraw anti-gay bill

Norwegian newspaper reprints controversial Islam cartoons

OSLO - The Norwegian daily newspaper Aftenposten Friday reprinted cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed that generated controversy 2005 when they were first published in a Danish newspaper.

4 Malaysian churches attacked with firebombs amid conflict over use of word ‘Allah’

4 Malaysian churches attacked in ‘Allah’ dispute

Four Mexican priests leave church over celibacy rule

Mexico City, Jan 8 (IANS/EFE) Four priests assigned to the archdiocese of the central Mexican state of Puebla have decided to leave the Catholic Church because they have girlfriends and children, a situation that is incompatible with the celibacy rule.

Coptic pope appeals for calm as Egypt clashes continue

NAGAA HAMADI - Pope Shenouda III, the head of Egypt’s Coptic Church, has appealed for calm as sectarian clashes continued in the southern town of Nagaa Hamadi.

3 Malaysian churches attacked with firebombs amid conflict over use of word ‘Allah’

3 Malaysian churches attacked in ‘Allah’ dispute