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KIEV/DONETSK Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukraine said on Thursday it had suspended offensive operations in its military campaign in east Ukraine to help international experts reach the downed Malaysian airliner's crash site but separatists were continuing to attack its positions. Kiev said on the Facebook website of what it calls its "anti-terrorist operation" (ATO) against pro-Russian rebels in the east that it was heeding calls by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to stop fighting near the plane crash site. "But mercenary fighters of the Russian terrorists are not respecting any international agreements and requests." The rebels have accused Kiev of blocking access to the Malaysian MH17 flight crash site by fighting in the area. "Ukraine continued to violate the ceasefire in the MH17 crash area, not allowing OSCE observers and experts from the Netherlands and Australia to enter the area," said Sergei Kavtaradze, an aide to top rebel leader Aleksander Borodai.

WASHINGTON (AP) — After a grim start to 2014, the U.S. economy has rebounded with vigor and should show renewed strength into next year.

New Zealand's Linda Villumsen went one better than four years ago when she won the gold medal in the women's cycling individual time-trial at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games on Thursday. The silver medallist in New Delhi produced a storming finish to clock 42 minutes 25.46 seconds and pip England's Emma Pooley. Pooley, who is to retire after the Games, had to settle for silver while Australia's Katrin Garfoot took the bronze. The women then gave way to the men's race where reigning Commonwealth Games champion, Scotland’s David Millar was looking to defend that title over the 40km circuit around Glasgow and surrounding areas.