Putin ban

Moscow, Dec. 28 (Reuters): President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Friday that bans Americans from adopting Russian children and imposes other sanctions in retaliation for a new US human rights law .

The law, which has ignited outrage among Russian liberals, takes effect on January 1.

Silvio ex-wife

Rome (Reuters): Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has agreed to pay his estranged wife Veronica $132,200 a day as part of a divorce settlement.

Saudi Shia

Riyadh (Reuters) - Saudi Arabian police shot dead a Shia protester in the country’s oil-producing east late on Thursday, local activists said on Friday.

Syria talks

Beirut (Reuters): Syria’s Opposition leader has rejected an invitation from Russia for peace talks, dealing a blow to hopes that diplomacy can be resurrected to end the civil war.