Saturday, December 25, 2010

World News Briefs -- December 25, 2010



Pope's Christmas Message Urges Peace In Troubled Lands -- CNN

Rome, Italy (CNN) -- In his traditional Christmas message delivered Saturday to crowds braving winter's chill, Pope Benedict XVI urged peace in the Middle East and asked for God's comfort upon beleaguered Christian communities in Iraq and elsewhere in the region.

The annual "To the City and the World address, known in Latin as "Urbi et Orbi," mentioned other global hot spots.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

For Christians in Iraq, a Christmas of mourning and fear. Iraqis defy threats to pack massacre church on Xmas.

Record pilgrims in Bethlehem for Christmas.

Hamas: We are ready to answer any Israeli aggression.

Abbas: No Israeli presence in future state.

ASIA

Female bomber kills 43 at food center in Pakistan.

South Korea wraps up military exercises, ponders possible nuclear test next year by the North.

Bombing wounds 11 at Christmas Mass in Philippines.

Manhunt as Mumbai placed on high alert. More news here and here.

AFRICA

Christmas Eve attacks kill at least 26 in Nigeria.

Sudan says troops kill 40 Darfur rebels.

West African leaders threaten force in Ivory Coast crisis. More news here.

Suspected Somali pirates seize Thai-flagged ship.

EUROPE

Conditions improve at several European airports.

Russia to buy two warships in deal with France.

Russian President Medvedev says more time needed for reforms.

Somalis held in Rotterdam on suspicion of terror links.

AMERICAS

Brazil uses its peacekeeping troops to pacify Rio de Janeiro.

Bus disaster kills 40 Ecuadorians heading home for Christmas.

Year in photos: Mexico's drug war.

Voodoo killings reportedly rise in Haiti epidemic.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al Qaida-allied Afghan fighters seek new Pakistan haven.

Yemeni official: We're 'bringing the fight to al Qaeda'.

Obama administration on alert for holiday terror threats.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

China fights inflation with Christmas rate rise.

World economy can withstand $100 oil price: Kuwait. Iraqi Oil Minister says OPEC might meet before June.

Holiday 2010: The year shoppers came back. Online U.S. holiday sales up 15.4 percent: report.

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