Morning Digest: Freed Russian punk band member dismisses Putin's amnesty as 'PR stunt'

	Click to View in Browser 12/23/2013 Freed Russian punk band member dismisses Putin's amnesty as 'PR stunt' NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (Reuters) - Pussy Riot punk band member Maria Alyokhina walked free from jail on Monday, immediately dismissing the Kremlin's amnesty that granted her early release as a stunt that would not change her attitude to President Vladimir Putin.. Thai baht slumps as protesters seek to block election BANGKOK (Reuters) - The Thai baht plumbed its lowest in almost four years on Monday as a political crisis grew more intractable, with anti-government protesters trying to block candidates registering for a February election that is looking increasingly uncertain.. U.S. growth hopes help shares shrug off China money market jitters LONDON (Reuters) - Signs of improving U.S. economic growth helped ease markets into holiday mode on Monday, though a credit squeeze in China took the edge off gains.. 'Fast and Furious 7' to be released in April 2015 -Vin Diesel NEW YORK (Reuters) - "Fast and Furious 7," the action film that was shut down after the sudden death in a car crash last month of actor Paul Walker will be released in April 2015, the star of the series, Vin Diesel, said on Sunday.. Panthers, Bengals and Patriots earn invites to playoffs (Reuters) - The Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals all clinched playoff spots as the National Football League playoff picture came into sharper focus on Sunday.. Fired PR executive apologizes for AIDS in Africa tweet NEW YORK (Reuters) - A public relations executive who ignited an online furor after posting a message on Twitter joking about AIDS in Africa, apologized on Sunday, saying she was ashamed of her comment.. Astronauts nail first spacewalk to fix station's cooling system CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Two NASA astronauts, their spacesuits rigged with snorkels in case of a water leak, floated outside the International Space Station for 5-1/2 hours on Saturday, successfully completing the first steps to fix the outpost's cooling system.. Seattle girl escapes serious injury when glasses deflect bullet OLYMPIA, Washington (Reuters) - A teenage girl avoided serious injury when her glasses deflected a bullet fired during a drive-by shooting at her Seattle home, police said on Sunday.. Related Video Supporters of leading figures of 2011 Egypt uprising condemn sentencing Tensions high in Central African Republic after nighttime lynching Great Debate 2014: Another election about Obamacare Snarking at smarm: Muffling the public debate 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