Nation/World briefs

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he doesn't care about alleged interference in the U.S. election because the actions weren't connected to his government. In an interview with NBC News, Putin suggested that some of the 13 Russian nationals indicted by the U.S. may not be ethnically Russian. "Maybe they are not even Russians, but Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews, but with Russian citizenship, which should also be checked," he said.

A court sentenced 24 journalists to prison, ruling they were linked to a religious sect the government calls a terrorist group and that is blamed for a coup attempt in 2016. Most of the journalists worked for news organizations considered friendly to Fetullah Gulen, a cleric the Turkish government claims leads a movement aiming to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The president of Mauritius is apparently being forced out of office over allegations that she used a charity's credit card to make excessive purchases for herself. Ameenah Gurib-Fakin is the only female head of state among 55 nations that comprise the African Union. Gurib-Fakin maintains her innocence.

A kangaroo at the Bronx Zoo is receiving cryotherapy for arthritis. The treatment is a high-tech alternative to ice baths that humans have used for years. The marsupial, Dave, is 15 years old.