from Newswire

• Eight die in India's first big attack since Mumbai
• String of Iraq bomb attacks target poll candidates
• Bashir starts Sudan election campaign with a jig
• Marines spearhead major Afghanistan offensive
• Wen warns of challenges as China welcomes new year
• Heavy rainfalls hit Mecca amid holiday
• Spanish police arrest ETA car-bombing suspect
• Ivory Coast opposition challenges president's rule
• Yemeni Shi'ite rebels deny assassination attempt
• Tymoshenko to fight Ukraine election loss in court