[World] Afghan police officer kills American contractor

Afghan police officer kills American contractor
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20835328
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- An Afghan police officer fatally shot an American contractor at Kabul police headquarters early on Monday, authorities said.

Make Room for God, Pope Says at Christmas Eve Mass
http://www.news.com.au/news/pope-prays-for-peace-and-space-in-hectic-lives-at-christmas-eve-mass/story-fnehlez2-1226543255197
ROME - Pope Benedict XVI, delivering his annual Christmas Eve message in a voice that sometimes seemed to waver, called on the faithful to make room for God in their thoughts and busy, technology-filled lives.

Meeting the fourth Mrs Zuma
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20798869
Wearing a resplendent burgundy and orange "asheke" suit from Nigeria, Bongi Ngema-Zuma, South African President Jacob Zuma's fourth wife, is the picture of the "Afropolitan" woman - worldly, tech-savvy and accomplished.

India clamps down on gang rape protests, PM appeals for calm
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/delhi-gangrape-us-asks-to-continue-fight-for-womens-rights/312186-3-244.html
By Ross Colvin and Arup Roychoudhury. NEW DELHI | Mon Dec 24, 2012 12:31pm EST. NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian authorities throttled movement in the heart of the capital on Monday, shutting roads and railway stations in a bid to restore law and order ...

West Bank barrier plan threatens ancient farming landscape
http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/world-news/gaza-rocket-attacks-breached-laws-3335702.html
BATTIR, West Bank - The old stone-walled farming terraces of this scenic Palestinian village near Jerusalem stretch along the hillsides, fed by spring water flowing through a network of irrigation channels that dates to Roman times.

China Reiterates Opposition to US Defense Bill Provisions
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/international/25-Dec-2012/japan-s-new-china-envoy-for-stronger-ties
China reiterated its opposition to provisions in a U.S. defense bill that allow sales of F-16 fighter aircraft to Taiwan and acknowledge Japan's administration of disputed islands in the East China Sea.

Queen expected at Sandringham church Christmas service
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20840634
The Queen is this expected to attend church on Christmas morning, after recovering from a cold which prevented her from attending a service on Sunday.

Encouraging signs toward peace in Afghanistan
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/national/25-Dec-2012/pakistan-afghanistan-trying-to-turn-taliban-into-political-movement
In this season of good will, there is a rare bit of good cheer about the prospects for peace with the Taliban in Afghanistan. The reason seems to be that some Taliban leaders are concluding that they couldn't win the civil war that might follow U.S.

Egypt to announce result of constitution vote on Tuesday
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/egypt-to-announce-result-of-constitution-vote-today/312174-2.html
By Tamim Elyan and Yasmine Saleh. CAIRO | Mon Dec 24, 2012 2:53pm EST. CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt will announce on Tuesday the official results of a vote on its new constitution, the head of the elections committee told state media on Monday, a step ...

Indian PM Calls for Calm After Protests Turn Violent
http://www.voanews.com/content/india-prime-minister-appeals-calm/1570710.html
NEW DELHI - India's Prime Minister has appealed for calm following days of violent protests over the gang rape of a young woman in the Indian capital.

Officials Push to Postpone Swearing-In of Chávez
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/venezuelas-vice-president-nicolas-maduro-a-poor-copy-of-chavez-opposition/311783-2.html
CARACAS, Venezuela - Top officials in the government of President Hugo Chávez, who is recuperating from cancer surgery in Cuba, say they will postpone his inauguration, now set for Jan. 10, if he is too ill to return to Venezuela to begin his new term.

Why (or how) should Muslim Americans 'celebrate' Christmas?
http://www.news.com.au/news/lakemba-mosque-imam-issues-fatwa-against-christmas-report/story-fnehlez2-1226542655802
Indian Sand artist Sudersan Pattnaik works on a sand sculpture with over 500 Santa Claus statues at Golden Beach in Puri on about 65 kilometers away from Bhubaneswar on Dec. 22, 2012 (AFP/GETTY IMAGES) Every December, Muslim youth, parents and ...