Globe Trot: Kenyan president cleared of crimes against humanity

KENYA: The International Criminal Court meeting at The Hague has cleared Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta of crimes against humanity. He was indicted in connection with rioting in 2007 and 2008 that killed more than 1,000.

YEMEN: A failed attempt to rescue American journalist Luke Somers, abducted by al-Qaeda in 2013, is drawing scrutiny in Washington, while Yemen’s al-Qaeda affiliate posted a video allegedly showing the 33-year-old in captivity.

RUSSIA: In his state of the union speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed the West and the “enemies of yesterday” for trying to bring a new Iron Curtain—a reference to economic sanctions—around Russia.

CHECHNYA: A fierce gunbattle in Grozny between Islamist militants and security forces left at least 20 people dead, and the capital city burning.

WEEKEND READ: German journalists, producing an extended investigation into the global reach and finances of Islamic State militants, begin in northern Iraq with the kidnapping and extortion more than 20 members of one Yezidi family.

QATAR: Grace and Matthew Huang, cleared in the death of their 8-year-old daughter, finally gained release from Qatari officials and arrived home in Los Angeles to be reunited with their sons after the two-year case.

NOTE: There will be no Globe Trot Monday and Wednesday. Globe Trot returns Friday, Dec. 12.