RELIGION

Female television hosts and newscasters in Egypt can now appear on air wearing a veil, which some of them argues is their religious right, and not a compulsion. An Egyptian court in Alexandria ruled Sunday that female state television hosts have the right to choose whether or not to wear a veil, saying that a veil does not "stand between the woman and her work and does not pose any obstacles for the working women," but rather "conserves her dignity."

Dr Rowan Williams said that the events of the summer were horrific but the youngsters involved in the riots are a minority.

In Vatican City, Pope Benedict XVI marked the end of 2011 with prayers of thanks and said humanity awaits the New Year with apprehension but also with hope for a better future.

It's pointless to give treatises on all these happenings at a time when the whole world is getting ready to welcome the New Year. And the only apt thing to do at the eleventh hour is nothing but to recall the events through the dramatic images of the year

Israeli security forces arrested prominent right-wing activists in the West Bank early Thursday, reports Haaretz.

Newlyweds tie the knot at synchronised mass wedding in Peruvian capital of Lima.

Priests exchanged blows at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity over plans for the Orthodox Christmas in January.

Military Wives' choir "Wherever You Are" was named the 60th Official Christmas Number 1 on Christmas Day by the Official Charts Company.

According to reports, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, will talk about the August riots and the ongoing financial crisis and its impact on British society, in his Christmas sermon at Canterbury Cathedral, which starts at 11.00 a.m. local time.

According to theholidayspot.com, the market in the German city of Munich is one of the best in the world, followed by the one in the Strasbourg Cathedral in France.

Christ's birthplace at centre of appeal to Unesco for world heritage site and £8m in funding for much-needed repairs.

Thousands of Iraqi Christians were forced to flee their homeland after a series of attacks targeting them.

Indigenous Maya people in southern Mexico Wednesday began a year-long countdown to Dec. 21 2012, which some believe will bring the end of the world.

With scuffles over the Muslim call to prayer, controversy over women's rights and accusations about freedom of expression being stifled, what is happening to diversity and tolerance in the state of Israel?

Internet users who prefer their smut with a side of guilt are in luck as fresh reports suggest an unnamed "entrepreneur" has purchased the Vatican.xxx web site domain.

Tests show religious icon alleged to be burial shroud of Christ 'could not have been faked by medieval science'.

According to the people who met him recently, the pontiff looked weaker than ever.

A report by an independent commission has revealed that one in five Dutch children who spent time at Catholic institutions have been sexually abused.

The world has lost one of its greatest orators, writers, debaters and contrarians with the death of Christopher Hitchens, aged 62.

A church billboard which shows a shocked Virgin Mary holding a positive pregnancy test has caused controversy in New Zealand.

Indonesian sharia police are "morally rehabilitating" more than 60 young punk rock fans, who were holding a charity concert in Aceh province on Sumatra Island.

The new policy was announced following complaints from citizenship judges that it was difficult for them to ensure if burqa-clad people are actually reciting the oath.

A prominent Zionist rabbi is facing trial in Jerusalem's Magistrate's Court on charges of forcible sexual assault.

We show you how to have a great time this festive season without breaking the bank.

Khurram Masih, who stays in Majeed Park, Shahdara Town, Lahore, faces charges under Section 295-B of the Pakistan Penal Code for allegedly burning pages of the Koran.

The severely injured model has taken her first steps after near fatal propeller accident

Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav has accused his country of 'executing' him as he arrived at Maasiyahu prison near Tel Aviv on Tuesday to being a seven-year jail term for rape.

America has attempted to reinstate diplomatic ties with Iran for the first time in more than three decades by launching a "virtual" U.S. Embassy Tehran. The Iranian government has blocked internal access to the website.

Johnny Depp has come under fire for featuring on British band Bluebird's latest track, Jesus Stag Night Club.