Putin praises GOP leader Trump as ‘bright and talented’

Putin praises GOP leader Trump as ‘bright and talented’

MOSCOW (AP) — In Vladimir Putin's view, Donald Trump is "bright and talented." But as much as those words sound overtly like praise, there are some murky nuances. Trump responded saying it was "a great honor" to be praised by a man so "highly respected."

The most unequivocally favorable part of the comments the Russian leader made Thursday to a scrum of reporters after his annual year-end news conference was about the Republican presidential aspirant's claims that he wants to improve relations with Russia.

Obama convenes a discussion of religious pluralism
Barack Obama

Obama convenes a discussion of religious pluralism

Kara Bettis

WASHINGTON – During debates about immigration, extremist ideologies and diversity of beliefs in the U.S., religious pluralism will take center stage at the White House Thursday.

An afternoon gathering, entitled "Celebrating and Protecting America's Tradition of Religious Pluralism," will bring together various religious leaders and representatives from nongovernmental organizations to discuss what the White House dubs "our traditions of religious inclusion, freedom and cooperation among those with different beliefs."

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