Sleepers: In a fiery shootout, Belgian security forces killed two suspected terrorists with links to Syria and took another into custody last night in Verviers. It happened near the local train station. When they saw police approaching, the gunmen immediately opened fire with automatic weapons on the second floor of a residential building.

   No police officers were hurt. Authorities said 13 other Belgians were detained in other raids in their own country and two in France.

   The Belgians say the group was planning to kill police officers in the streets and was prepared to strike within days. They found weapons, explosives, and police uniforms.

  Amid the hunt across Europe for more suspects in the attacks that killed 17 people in France last week, authorities say so far they know of no connection to the Belgian cell. But French authorities detained 12 other people overnight.

Speech: French authorities are also cracking down on verbal supports for terrorism, using a new law to beat down unwelcome speech. About 100 people are under investigation or have already been sentenced to prison for saying or writing they support acts of terror. It’s feeding the free speech debate in France. If cartoonists can insult Muhammed, why can’t someone else say terrorism is good?

Getting Hotter: Last year was the warmest in the recorded history of earth, according to a report released today. The ten hottest years on record have all occurred since 1997, bolstering scientific evidence that human activity is changing the global climate.

White Statue: The Oscar acting nominations set off an immediate uproar because all the nominated actors are white. It’s the second time in the last 20 years all the nominees have been white. Snubbed in particular were the actors from the civil rights history pic “Selma.”

Cuba Libre: Starting today the Obama administration is relaxing travel restrictions to Cuba as part of the president’s diplomatic re-opening. Travelers will be allowed to spend money and use credit cards while in Cuba, although we’re not sure what there is to buy other than rum and tobacco. Banks and phone companies will also be allowed to invade Cuba along with the tourists. And Americans will be able to send $2,000 every three months to Cuban friends and family instead of the current $500.

Lethal: Oklahoma carried out its first execution by lethal injection since April when a long and sloppy execution resulted in suspension of the penalty. The state yesterday killed Charles Frederick Warner with a new and stronger dose of drugs. He had been convicted of the 1997 sexual assault and murder of an 11-month-old girl.

Hoooah!: For the first time the Army is about to open up its Ranger training to 60 women when school goes into session in April. The Army is getting ready to allow women in combat and Ranger School is a prime ticket for anyone serious about a career. It’s tough stuff. Only about 40 percent of candidates finish and get their Ranger tab.

Nation: Becoming a rare politician to buck the National Rifle Association,Michigan Gov.Rick Snyder vetoed a gun bill heavily supported by the NRA saying it would allow people accused of domestic abuse to obtain concealed pistol permits. “We simply can’t and won’t take the chance of exposing domestic abuse victims to additional violence or intimidation,” Snyder said. The NRA said the bill would also have allowed people under threat to get a gun.

The Obit Page: Lowell Paxon, the man who started Home Shopping Network and put the bargain aisle on television, has died in Montana at age 79. He also started his own network, PAX TV.

Answer, Arizona: The Arizona legislature yesterday passed a law requiring high school students to take a 100-question civics exam and pass with 60 percent before they can graduate. It’s the same test immigrants have to take for citizenship.

  Some sample questions we would offer:

1. Which state resisted celebrating Martin Luther King day?

2. Which state tried to pass a law allowing businesses to refuse service to gay people?

3. Which state has a blowhard who called himself “The toughest sheriff in America” while his department was under a federal civil rights investigation?