Nigerian faith leaders are seeking urgent government action to end a recurrent and bloody cycle of religious violence in Africa's most populous nation.

Some religious leaders see Queen Elizabeth II's state visit to Ireland this week as a sign of reconciliation following centuries of sectarian hatred and violence.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide and United Action for Egyptian Christians have held an ecumenical day of prayer for Christians in Egypt.

Christians from different backgrounds came together to pray last night at the site of the brutal killing of two soldiers in Northern Ireland. Their message was that there must be no return to sectarian violence.