Putin says Russia economy will be cured, offers no remedy
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin assured Russians on Thursday that the economy would rebound after the ruble’s dramatic slide this year but offered no remedy for a deepening financial crisis.
Iraqi Kurds liberate besieged Sinjar mountain, freeing hundreds
ZUMAR, Iraq (Reuters) – Kurdish peshmerga fighters have fought their way to Iraq’s Sinjar mountain and freed hundreds of people trapped there by Islamic State fighters, a Kurdish leader said on Thursday.
U.S. says would not support new Palestinian U.N. draft resolution
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States would not support a new Palestinian-proposed U.N. Security Council draft resolution, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Thursday.
Sun-seeking Canadians urged to visit Cuba now before Americans arrive
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) – Canadians who want to enjoy uncrowded Cuban beaches and the country’s “frozen in time” charm should act soon before U.S. policy changes open the floodgates for American tourists, a Canadian cruise company warned on Thursd…
Colombia rejects FARC’s verification demand for ceasefire
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia on Thursday welcomed an offer by Marxist rebels for a ceasefire but rejected their demand for independent monitoring, putting the plan to stop hostilities on uncertain ground hours before it was to start.
Some Pakistan militants denounce school attack, amid national outrage
PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Reuters) – As Pakistanis unite in grief over the killings of 132 schoolchildren by the Pakistani Taliban, several other militant groups have been quick to condemn the carnage too.
Kenya security law approved despite disruptions in parliament
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya’s parliament approved new anti-terrorism laws on Thursday after chaotic scenes in which opposition legislators, citing a threat to civil liberties and free speech, threw books at the Speaker, shouted, chanted and sprinkled wat…
Islamic State fight to take at least three years: U.S. general
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The general in command of U.S. forces involved in the fight against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria said on Thursday he thought it would take a minimum of three years to achieve a turning point against the group.
Ukrainians dig deep to help soldiers on the eastern front
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainians are knitting socks, donating scrap metal and even crowd-funding a tank to keep their woefully underfunded army going as its standoff with pro-Russian rebels in the east drags on toward the new year.
U.S. weighs response to Sony hacking attack blamed on North Korea
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States was considering possible options on Thursday in response to a major cyber attack on Sony Pictures blamed on North Korea, amid calls for tougher sanctions on Pyongyang to cut it off from the global banking system…
