MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin’s state of the nation address on Wednesday focused on domestic problems such as how to reverse a population decline, but he also took swipes at the United States in his first reaction to US Vice President Dick Cheney’s lambasting.

NABLUS (AP) — Palestinian gas stations began shutting down and motorists lined up at pumps after an Israeli fuel company cut off deliveries Wednesday, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the West Bank and Gaza Strip that has followed Hamas’ rise to power.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) — Wrangling over the oil ministry portfolio and other top jobs held up on Wednesday the formation of a unity government the United States hopes can end rampant bloodshed and allow it to start withdrawing troops from Iraq.