Honduras Police in Honduras were investigating a horrific massacre of 26 people, killed when their bus was strafed by automatic gunfire, in what officials suspect was a message from local gangs to crime-busting politicians and President Ricardo Maduro. Iraq US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld admitted America had suffered "setbacks" in Iraq, describing the situation as "bleak" during a surprise Christmas Eve visit to US troops in the country. Ukraine Ukraine's presidential rivals wrapped up their campaigns as tension mounted ahead of a high-stakes rerun election this weekend that has split this strategic country and revived Cold War-style sparring between Russia and the West. Russia Russia will not use its influence behind the scenes in the former Soviet republics, President Vladimir Putin said, ahead of a key election in Ukraine. Thailand Two people including a suspected bomber were killed and at least seven wounded in the latest blast blamed on Islamic separatists in insurgency-hit southern Thailand, police and hospital officials said. Mideast Several thousand worshippers were gathering in Bethlehem for Christmas Eve mass, as the mainstream Fatah party looked on course to beat Hamas in landmark local elections. ICoast A UN report has outlined horrific examples of death squads, mass executions, torture and rape in Ivory Coast during the past two years and blamed both sides for the atrocities, France's Liberation newspaper reported. Indonesia As the faithful gathered for Christmas prayers, Indonesia braced for possible terrorist attacks with tight security at churches, hotels and other potential targets to safeguard seasonal festivities.