Philippines: Bomb blast kills nine

Fears of New Year’s Eve terrorism were borne out in the southern Philippines, where a bomb ripped through a market shortly before midnight. The death toll rose to nine early today with the deaths of three of the 30 who were injured.

A 60 mm mortar shell or a grenade on a timer exploded next to a stall selling fireworks in the town of Tacurong in Sultan Kudarat province on southern Mindanao island, chief police inspector Jaime Guiballa said.

No one has claimed responsibility, but authorities blamed the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The rebels have denied the charge.

Turkey: Group demands that Italy return St. Nicholas’ bones

The Santa Claus Foundation, based in mainly Muslim Turkey, wants Italy to return the bones of St. Nicholas — the fourth-century bishop in the Greek city now called Demre on the Turkish Mediterranean coast.

Muammer Karabulut, the group’s chairman, said the remains of St. Nicholas, from whom the Santa Claus myth emerged, were stolen from what is now Turkey by pirates in the 11th century and taken to Italy.

“We want them returned in 2003,” he said. “We’re starting a campaign this year for them to be given back.”

The Rev. Gerardo Cioffari, historian at St. Nicholas Basilica in Bari, Italy, said the bones interred there could never be given back. “If the remains were moved, there would be a revolution here,” he said. “Even the Vatican couldn’t do anything about it.”

Mexico: Fireworks blaze kills 28

Illegal fireworks stands ignited Tuesday in the port city of Veracruz as revelers thronged a marketplace to buy New Year’s supplies. The blaze quickly engulfed an entire city block and killed at least 28 people.

City fire spokesman Carlos Ortiz said at least 28 people were dead and 50 were injured, most from smoke inhalation. The blaze broke out in the early evening at outdoor street stands and spread rapidly to a nearby enclosed market, he said.

Ortiz said it was unclear how the blaze started, although there were reports that a passer-by threw a cigarette at a stand.

Phoenix: Massive identity theft case spurs $100,000 reward offer

A government contractor posted a $100,000 reward Tuesday in the theft of Social Security numbers and other personal records of 500,000 military service members and their families.

TriWest Healthcare Alliance, which provides managed health care to the military in Arizona and 15 other states including Missouri and Kansas, has no indication that any client’s information has been misused, said chief executive officer David McIntyre Jr.

If the information is misused, however, the Federal Trade Commission said the Dec. 14 break-in at the Phoenix-based company could become one of the largest identity thefts on record.

Thieves stole computer hard drives containing names, addresses, phone numbers, medical claim histories and Social Security numbers for beneficiaries. TriWest serves about 1.1 million active-duty personnel, their dependents and retirees.