“Two car bombs exploded in Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least 14 people, police and medics said, while a standoff between the Iraqi army and al Qaeda-linked militants in Falluja continued.” Source: Car bombs in Iraqi capital kill 14, Falluja standoff continues | Reuters

“‘If you are a terrorist group in the Caucasus, the Sochi Olympics are going to be a very inviting target,’ said Steven Pifer, director of the Brookings Institution’s Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative. ‘I think you’re going to see at the Sochi Olympics a very heavy security presence.’” Source:Suicide bombing

“A hacker secretly took over a computer server at the BBC, Britain’s public broadcaster, and then launched a Christmas Day campaign to convince other cyber criminals to pay him for access to the system. While it is not known if the hacker found any buyers, the BBC’s security team responded

“A United Nations peacekeeping base in South Sudan’s Jonglei state was attacked on Thursday and the organization has received reports that some people have been killed, a senior U.N. official said.” Source: U.N. says peacekeeping base in South Sudan attacked, deaths reported | Reuters

“Top congressional intelligence officials say Americans are not as safe as they were a year or two ago. Lawmakers say despite the death of Osama bin Laden and attacks on al Qaeda’s top leadership, the U.S. has lost some ground in the battle of global terrorism.” Source:Intelligence officials make terrorism

” Thousands of villagers in Central African Republic fled clashes between former rebels and local militias on Tuesday, residents said, increasing concerns about growing violence between Muslims and Christians.” Source: Thousands flee fresh fighting in Central African Republic | Reuters

“A rocket carrying the Olympic torch successfully blasted off Thursday from Earth on its way to the International Space Station and its first spacewalk in history.” Source: Russians send Olympic torch into space ahead of Sochi games | Fox News

“Four rockets launched Monday from across the border in war-torn Syria hit Hermel – a Hezbollah stronghold in eastern Lebanon, said a security source who was unable to confirm any casualties.” Source: 4 rockets fired from Syria hit Lebanon’s Hermel | GulfNews.com

“Seventy-three suspected kidnap victims were rescued in northern Mexico near the border city of Reynosa after police followed their alleged captors to a house and heard frantic calls for help, authorities said on Monday.” Source: Mexico rescues 73 suspected kidnap victims near U.S. border | Reuters

“A US drone strike targeting a militant compound on Monday killed three militants in a troubled Pakistan tribal region near the Afghan border, officials said.” Source: US drone strike kills three in Pakistan | GulfNews.com