Joseph Mahmood

A series of attacks across the country leave an estimated 100 dead and over 350 injured. The violent response to the death penalty imposed in absentia on Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi. Archbishop Sako: divided government, reconciliation project faltering, a fragmented nation and "common" traits with events in Syria, and strong impact of nearby countries. Hopes for peace and future prospects in Benedict XVI's visit to Lebanon.

'Myriamana' (Our Lady Mary) is a co-ed facility. Kirkuk archbishop Louis Sako was present at the opening ceremony along with local clergy and the imam of the city's grand mosque. This is the first private Christian school to open in the city since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Salman Dawoud Salman was killed with nine shots. He had been kidnapped four days earlier, perhaps for money, the corpse found in the neighborhood southwest of the city. AsiaNews sources: Mosul has become a stronghold of Sunni Islam, linked to Saudi Arabia. The goal is to create an Islamic state.