RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday he did not oppose dialogue with rival Hamas Islamists but reiterated the group must first relinquish control of the Gaza Strip.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin will not, at least for now, take up the seat in parliament he won in last weekend’s election, Interfax news agency quoted an official of his party as saying on Thursday.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Thousands of Russian youths marched by the red stone walls of the Kremlin on Thursday in the latest organized show of support for President Vladimir Putin, who wants to stay in politics after his term ends.