The San Cristobal volcano spews up large clouds of gas and ash near Chinandegga City, some 150 km (93 miles) north of the capital Managua December 26, 2012. Credit: Reuters/StringerMANAGUA | Wed Dec 26, 2012 5:29pm EST MANAGUA (Reuters) - Nicaragua's

Orphan children play in their bedroom at an orphanage in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, December 19, 2012. Credit: Reuters/Vladimir KonstantinovMOSCOW | Wed Dec 26, 2012 9:06pm EST MOSCOW (Reuters) - Family Christmas cards and smiling snapshots

Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir gives a speech as he tours the White Nile Sugar Co sugar plant during its opening in Al-Diwaim July 11, 2012. Credit: Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin AbdallahKHARTOUM | Wed Dec 26, 2012 4:01pm EST KHARTOUM (Reuters)

1 of 9. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) meets International peace envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi in Damascus December 24, 2012 in this handout photograph released by Syria's national news agency SANA. Credit: Reuters/SanaBEIRUT | Thu Dec 27,

Former South African president Nelson Mandela looks on as he celebrates his birthday at his house in Qunu, Eastern Cape July 18, 2012. Credit: Reuters/Siphiwe SibekoJOHANNESBURG | Thu Dec 27, 2012 1:31am EST JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Former South African

1 of 3. Protesters take part in a demonstration in Ramadi, 100 km (62 miles) west of Baghdad, December 26, 2012. Credit: Reuters/StringerANBAR, Iraq | Wed Dec 26, 2012 11:46am EST ANBAR, Iraq (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Sunni Muslims blocked Iraq's