December 27 News international 2

Tuesday 27 December, 2011.

TOP STORY Pope condemns Christmas bombing in Nigeria Pope Benedict on Monday condemned the Christmas Day bomb attacks by Islamist militants in Nigeria as an "absurd gesture" and prayed that "the hands of the violent be stopped". HEADLINES 7 Indians on board Italian ship hijacked by pirates off Oman Pirates hijacked an Italian cargo ship with 18 people, including seven Indians, on board at dawn on Tuesday off the coast of Oman in an area known for Somali pirate attacks. S Korea, China hold talks after Kim's death  Senior South Korean and Chinese officials held talks on Tuesday to discuss the aftermath of the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-II and ways to revive stalled talks on the North's nuclear disarmament. Gunman opens fire on NATO troops in Afghanistan  A gunman wearing an Afghan army uniform opened fire on coalition troops in western Afghanistan, military authorities said on Monday. Afghan MP among 19 killed in suicide attack A suicide bomber attacked a funeral in northeastern Afghanistan on Sunday, killing at least 19 people including an MP and wounding dozens of others, officials said. AFRICA & SOUTH AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC EUROPE NORTH AMERICA SOUTH ASIA WEST ASIA