AP – The U.S economy will be growing again by year end, but tight credit conditions for consumers and businesses will hamper the recovery, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday as it raised its forecast for growth next year to 1.5 percent from 0.8 percent. Read more

AP – The U.S. and five other world powers began high-stakes talks Thursday with Iran to demand a freeze of its nuclear activities, with the United States saying Washington is open to rare one-on-one talks with Iranian diplomats. Read more

AP – A second powerful earthquake rocked western Indonesia on Thursday as rescuers struggled to reach survivors of the previous day’s quake, which killed more than 500 people and left thousands trapped under collapsed buildings. Read more

AP – Stunned Samoans combed through the sodden wreckage of their lives and told of the terror of being trapped underwater or flung inland by a tsunami that ravaged towns and killed at least 150 people in the South Pacific. Read more

AP – One of Iran’s most prominent pro-reform figures has been released on bail after more than three months in jail on charges of inciting the country’s postelection unrest, state media and his lawyer said Thursday. Read more