Vatican City, Jan 1- Pope Benedict XVI today urged world leaders to defend Christians against abuse and intolerance after a New Year's day bomb attack in a Coptic church in Egypt claimed 21 lives.  read more »

1 January 2011 Last updated at 04:03 GMT
The car bomb exploded as worshippers left a New Year's Eve service
A car bomb explosion outside a church in the north Egyptian city of Alexandria has killed twent four people and injured 24, the interior ministry says.

The blast, apparently caused by a car bomb, hit people as they left a new year's service at the al-Qidiseen church shortly after midnight.  read more »