UNITED NATIONS
U.S. criticizes Russia
U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley condemned Russia’s “aggressive actions” in eastern Ukraine on Thursday and warned Moscow that U.S. sanctions imposed after its annexation of Crimea will remain until the peninsula is returned to Ukraine. But the new American envoy tempered her criticism, saying it was “unfortunate” that she had to condemn Russia in her first appearance at the U.N. Security Council.
Hungary
Putin pays nation visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Hungary on Thursday to discuss prospective energy projects with its leader, who has cozied up to Moscow despite Russia-West tensions. It was his first trip to the European Union since the U.S. election. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a populist dubbed “little Putin” by his opponents, has been critical of the U.S. and EU sanctions imposed on Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
Canada
Leader attends funeral
The massacre at a Quebec City mosque left Canada in shock but it has also unified the country in solidarity with the Muslim community, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday at the funeral for three of the six men killed in the attack. Trudeau addressed the thousands packed into Quebec’s Maurice-Richard Arena in Arabic, saying, “As-Salaam-alaikum,” which means “peace be unto you,” drawing rounds of applause. The Liberal Party leader stood before the caskets of Abdelkrim Hassane, Khaled Belkacemi and Aboubaker Thabti, which were draped in flags of their homelands.
Germany
Nazi submarine found
German researchers say they have found a Nazi-era submarine that sunk in the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. The Rebikoff-Niggeler Foundation says the wreck of U-581 was found last September at a depth of 2,950 feet near the Azores island of Pico. The discovery was announced Thursday, exactly 75 years after the submarine was scuttled by its commander following a clash with the British destroyer HMS Westcott. All but four of its 46 crew survived.
Compiled from wire reports