World Digest: Iranian opposition leader Mousavi 'not afraid' to die

Scharf says the attack was "terror related," adding that the suspected assailant has close contacts to the Somali terrorist group al-Shabab. The Somali man was shot by police in the knee and the shoulder.

-- Associated Press

Hong Kong marchers press for democracy: Thousands of Hong Kong residents appealed to China on New Year's Day to allow full democracy to be introduced soon in the city, as opposition lawmakers pressed forward with a plan for mass resignations this month.

Journalist kidnapped, police official killed in northern Mexico: Gunmen killed the chief police investigator in the northern Mexican state of Sinaloa hours after he started investigating the kidnapping of a local radio crime reporter, Mexican news media reported. Sinaloa, a stronghold of the drug-trafficking cartel by the same name, is one of Mexico's most violent states.

Mudslides, flooding kill scores in Brazil: Mudslides and flooding have killed more than 40 people in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state, with more heavy rains forecast. Twenty-two people were found dead Friday after a small hotel and surrounding homes collapsed in the exclusive beach resort of Angra dos Reis. On Thursday, a downpour that triggered mudslides and floods killed as many as 19 people in the state.

Pope urges respect, peace as new year opens: Pope Benedict XVI called for respect for all people without discrimination and the protection of children from war and violence as he celebrated the start of the new year. Jan. 1 is also the Catholic Church's World Day of Peace, and the pontiff issued an appeal to all armed groups to "stop, reflect and abandon the way of violence."

-- From news services