Multiple Bomb Blasts In Kano!

Bombs kill at least two Nigerian police officers in Kano.

Nearby residents are frightened, a pastor says The region has been the site of religious violence. At least two police officers died and others were injured Friday when bombs exploded at three locations in the northern Nigeria city of Kano, authorities said.

At least one of the bombs exploded at a police barracks and another near the…

Nigeria rocked by second day of fuel protests

Nigerians strike over gas price increase.

5 people have died in clashes in southern Benin City, a Red Cross official says The government’s decision to end the subsidy has more than doubled fuel prices The subsidy removal will help fund infrastructure, officials say Nigerians question whether the money will be used for infrastructure.

A nationwide strike in Nigeria entered its second day Tuesday as citizens took to the…

Iran sentences American ‘spy’ to death

An Iranian court finds Amir Hekmati “corrupt on Earth,” state media says NEW: His parents are “shocked and terrified” He was arrested in August while visiting relatives Prosecutors allege he was hired to deliver information to Iran Tehran, Iran.

Iran has sentenced an American ex-Marine to death for espionage. A court convicted Amir Mirzaei Hekmati of “working for an enemy country,” as well as membership in the…

Nigeria church shooting kills at least 8

Gunmen attacked the Deeper Life church as worshipers met for a service. At least 8 were killed and 20 injured, a pastor says.

An eyewitness describes how people were gunned down as they tried to flee. An Islamist militant group, Boko Haram, has been blamed for other attacks on churches Jos, Nigeria.

At least eight people have been killed in a shooting at a church in northeastern…

Iran warns U.S. to keep aircraft carrier out of Gulf

The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis is in the Persian Gulf region.

Deployment of U.S. military assets in the Persian Gulf will continue, the Pentagon says The U.S. will protect “maritime freedoms,” including at the Strait of Hormuz, it says Iran warns the United States it will “severely react against any threat” Tensions over the Strait of Hormuz are pushing up oil prices.

Iran warned the…

‘Anonymous’ hackers hit security group

A Twitter account associated with “Anonymous” celebrated the Christmas-Day hacking of security group Stratfor.

‘Anonymous’ hackers hit security group. Apparent hack is part of promised Christmas week web attacks One report says plan is to steal $1 million and give it to charity ( Mashable ) —

Hacker group Anonymous began its promised week of Christmas hacks, assaulting a long list of targets. The first Anonymous…

Tunisia swears in new president

Moncef Marzouki has been sworn in as Tunisia’s new president. He is well-known for his firebrand style and his opposition to the old regime.

The presidency is more of a ceremonial role Marzouki is the founder of a center-left party The new president had lived in exile The Arab Spring started in Tunisia Tunis, Tunisia.

Tunisia has sworn in a new president, a milestone in the North…

U.S. prepares for full Iraq withdrawal

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki meets with President Obama at the White House on Monday.

Al-Maliki: “The relationship will not end with the departure” of U.S. troops “This is a historic moment,”

President Barack Obama says The United States is set to withdraw virtually all troops from Iraq by the end of the year Spokesman says 6,000 U.S. troops and four military bases remain in Iraq as…

Europe’s Leaders Are Battling To Keep EuroZone

The leaders of Germany and France, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy, are struggling to keep the European Union — and the euro — together in the face of the eurozone crisis. HIDE CAPTION Why unity is so important to Europe Why unity is so important to Europe Why unity is so important to Europe Why unity is so important to Europe Why unity is so important…

Tunisia’s ex-president sentenced

The former president is sentence in absentia The trial relates to a 1991 coup attempt He plans to appeal, official news agency says.

A Tunisian military court has sentenced former President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali to five years in prison, the state-run Tunisian News Agency said Wednesday.

Ben Ali was sentenced in absentia late Tuesday for his role in a 1991 case in which 17 servicemen were…