Russian Bombing: A suicide bombing outside the main railroad station is Volgograd, Russia, killed 15 people today and wounded more than 40. Volgograd is about 550 miles southeast of Moscow. The bomb went off as security officers approached a woman who was behaving nervously at the metal detectors. It’s the second suicide bombing in Volgograd since October, raising the specter of terrorism six weeks ahead of the Sochi Winter Olympics further south on the Black Sea.

Benghazi: The NY Times reports that its own investigation reveals no evidence of al Qaeda involvement in the 2012 Benghazi consulate attack that left Ambassador Christopher Stevens dead. The Times says the attackers included rebels who had been helped by American air power during the revolt to overthrow Muammar Qaddafi. And the paper says that, contrary to denials by some members of Congress, the attackers’ anger was fueled in part by an amateur American-made movie that made fun of Islam.

Nation: Thousands of people remain without power in Michigan and parts of Maine since pre-Christmas storms. Freezing rain threatens the Atlantic coast today from Georgia to Maine. Snow and ice are expected in Vermont through New Hampshire and Maine.

World: Twenty-five thousand young men who call themselves “The White Army” are marching toward the contested city of Bor in South Sudan, making it unlikely that warring factions are about to reach a cease fire. Bor was re-taken from rebels by the government only a few days ago. About 1,000 people have died so far in a fight between President Salva Kiirand and former vice president, Riek Machar. The government offered a ceasefire, but Machar rejected it.

Ice, Ice, Baby: An Australian icebreaker is now on the way to make a third attempt to free a Russian research ship with 100 people on board trapped in East Antarctic ice since Christmas Eve. Efforts by French and Chinese icebreakers already failed. The ship Shokalskiy has food and is in no immediate danger, according to its crew. Scientists on board say they continue to measure ocean temperature and salinity.

The Gay Scouts: The Boy Scouts will begin accepting openly gay members Jan. 1, with some limitations. Scouts can’t march in gay pride parades or engage in “advocacy, promotion, or the distribution of information of a sexual nature.” And if a straight scout doesn’t want to share a tent with a gay scout, he doesn’t have to. Openly gay adults will continue to be barred from Scout leadership positions.

Sport: The Ultimate Fighting middleweight championship ended abruptly in Las Vegas last night when contender Anderson Silva broke his left leg in one of the most grotesque sports injuries ever recorded. Silva’s leg snapped and folded at the shin when he kicked his opponent on the right leg. The 38-year-old former champion could be done fighting. 

Showbiz: Income is up despite a string of summer flops, but attendance was flat at the movies this year. Hollywood will take in $11 billion by the end of the year, a record, but that’s because of higher ticket prices. Theaters sold fewer tickets than they did in 2002. Really do you know anyone who saw “The Lone Ranger”?

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