Iraq - Fears for country´s minority Christians which has more than halved since

Published on Jan 2, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ The number of Christians in Iraq has more than halved since Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003, according to UN figures. The amount is now down to around half a million.

In Baghdad Iraqi soldiers patrol the largest Christian neighbourhood. Over the past 9 years its estimated that over 900 Christians have been killed and 54 churches attacked, and sectarian tensions are heightened at Christmas.

Britain - Man charged with Salford murder of Indian student Anuj Bidve

Uploaded by BBCNewsHeadlines on Jan 2, 2012

A 20-year-old man has been charged with the murder of the Indian student Anuj Bidve, who was shot in the head in Salford on Boxing Day.

Kiaran Stapleton, from Ordsall, was charged on Sunday.

Nazir Afzal, the Crown Prosecution Service's Chief Prosecutor, told a news conference: "There is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction."

Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley, who has overall command of the inquiry, said: "This remains a complex investigation and the fact we have charged someone does not mean the investigation is complete."

Denmark - says it is determined to bring unity to the European Union as it takes over presidency.

Published on Jan 2, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Denmark says it is determined to bring unity to the European Union as it takes over the bloc's rotating presidency.

In her New Year address, Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said she was committing to cultivating consensus among all 27 EU members to solve the crisis in the 17-member eurozone.

Denmark is one of nine non-euro EU countries that agreed to support the euro club in drafting a new pact on fiscal responsibility to overcome the crisis, while Britain refused.

Egypt - Ailing Hosni Mubarak back in court

Published on Jan 2, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ The former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak has been back in court after a two month delay in his trial over the deaths of hundreds over anti-government protestors. The ousted leader, whose doctors claim is suffering from heart problems, arrived at the Cairo tribunal on a stretcher.

He is accused of corruption and complicity in the killings of opponents during the uprising against his rule.

Britain - Four dead after shooting in Peterlee house County Durham.

Uploaded by BBCNewsHeadlines on Jan 2, 2012

Four people have been found dead at a house in Peterlee, County Durham.

The man and three women were shot and police have confirmed that a resident of the house held a firearms licence.

Police also confirmed that a teenage woman escaped through an upstairs window and that there were also other people in the house at the time.

Assistant Chief Constable Michael Banks gave an update on the police investigation.

Nigeria - Islamist militant group Boko Haram threaten army

Published on Jan 2, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ The islamist militant group Boko Haram is threatening to confront Nigerian soldiers after the decision by the president to declare a state of emergency in parts of the north.

Heavily armed troops and tanks have been patrolling the streets in areas where the insurgents are concentrated. At least 40 people were killed in a series of bomb attacks on Christmas Day across the country.

South Korea - urges reconciliation with North willing to help the North under the right circumstances

Published on Jan 2, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ The South Korean president is calling on North Korea's new leader to take the opportunity to return to negotiations after the death of his father Kim Jong-il.

President Lee Myung-bak said South Korea would be willing to help the North under the right circumstances: "We hope there will be a turning point to solve North Korea's nuclear problem this year. As soon as North Korea suspends nuclear activities in progress, six-party talks should be able to resume."

Iran - says it has test-fired two long-range missiles in the Persian Gulf raising tension

Published on Jan 2, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Iran says it has test-fired two long-range missiles in the Persian Gulf. On Sunday state TV showed the navy test- firing medium-ranged missiles which it says can avoid radar.

Iran is ending ten days of naval exercises which it claims are aimed at preparing to repel any possible attack.

The has US announced plans for new sanctions against Iran over fears its nuclear programme is aimed at developing atomic weapons.
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Iran claims it can hit 'any target, any time'

Uploaded by telegraphtv on Jan 2, 2012

In a drill that shows Iran could hit Israel and US bases, the country test-fires a long range shore-to-sea missile called Qader.