Morning Digest: U.S. backed talks with ISIS over American hostage: newspaper

	Click to View in Browser 12/19/2014 U.S. backed talks with ISIS over American hostage: newspaper LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. counter-terrorism officials backed negotiations with two prominent jihadi clerics in a failed attempt to save the life of an American hostage who was later beheaded by Islamic State militants, the Guardian newspaper reported on Friday.. Eight children killed in Australia in reported mass stabbing SYDNEY (Reuters) - Eight children have been killed and a woman who was mother to seven of them was injured in the northern Australian city of Cairns, police said on Friday, in what several media outlets reported was a mass stabbing.. European stocks set for biggest weekly gain of 2014 LONDON (Reuters) - World markets are ending their last full week of 2014 on a high, as Wall Street made its biggest two-day advance since late 2011 and European shares headed for their strongest week of the year.. Forget the politics, Sony executives say North Korea comedy 'desperately unfunny' SEOUL (Reuters) - The comedy on the fictional assassination of North Korea's leader is "desperately unfunny" and would have flopped overseas if it had not been canceled, according to leaked e-mails of international executives of Sony Pictures.. Rondo traded to Mavericks (Reuters) - The Dallas Mavericks landed point guard Rajon Rondo in a trade with the Boston Celtics on Thursday.. Washington tries to tackle hackers behind Sony attack WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) - Washington made the woes of cyberattack victim Sony Pictures its own on Thursday as the White House acknowledged that the devastating strike against the big Hollywood studio was a matter of national security that would be met by a forceful government response.. Disgraced Japan researcher fails to replicate 'game changing' stem cell results TOKYO (Reuters) - A disgraced Japanese researcher has failed to replicate results hailed as a potential breakthrough in stem-cell treatment and efforts to do so will be abandoned, officials at her research institute said on Friday.. Canadian picks stranger with ex-girlfriend's name for world trip TORONTO (Reuters) - A Canadian man will travel the world with Elizabeth Gallagher. Just not the same Elizabeth Gallagher he used to date.. Related Video Analysts weigh economic implications of renewed U.S.-Cuban relations Slenderman stabbing suspects ruled competent to stand trial Great Debate U.S.-Cuba deal: What the two sides get out of it Vladimir Putin in jeopardy on all sides as Russia's economy stumbles A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend