Armed conflicts and attacks
The Prime Minister of France Manuel Valls claims that five terrorist attacks have been "foiled" in France in recent months. (France 24)[permanent dead link]
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
The United States advises that a counterterrorism operation on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan has killed American and Italian al-Qaeda hostages Warren Weinstein and Giovanni Lo Porto. (AP via ABC News)
Two other American citizens working with al-Qaeda, Adam Yahiye Gadahn and Ahmed Farouq, are also killed in special operations in the same area. (CNBC)
Business and economy
Bloomberg News reports that Comcast will walk away from its $45 billion takeover for Time Warner Cable. (Bloomberg)
The NASDAQ Stock Market sets a new record high for the first time since the dot com bubble collapsed in 2000. (Wall Street Journal)