Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
CAIRO (AP) — Japan is not saying whether it will pay ransom for the release of two Japanese hostages, but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says their lives "are the top priority." In a video today, the Islamic State group threatened to kill the pair within 72 hours if it does not receive $200 million ransom. The State Department is not saying whether the U.S. is urging Japan not to pay. But, it says the U.S. stands "in solidarity with Japan" and is "coordinating closely."
NEW YORK (AP) — Two al-Qaida members from Yemen are on trial in New York. Prosecutors say the pair befriended a Long Island man and helped him join the terrorist group. Long Island native Bryant Neil Vinas (VEE'-nuhs) was captured in 2008 and eventually pleaded guilty to hatching plots against the Long Island Rail Road and other targets. Vinas agreed to testify against other terror defendants, including the two now on trial. They face charges of conspiring to kill Americans and provide material support to al-Qaida.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ahead of tonight's State of the Union address, the White House is issuing new veto threats. One is for a Republican-backed bill that would ban abortions after the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. The other is a measure that would require federal regulators to make a decision on pipeline construction within 12 months of receiving an application. House consideration of the abortion measure this week coincides with the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe versus Wade ruling that legalized abortion.
NEW YORK (AP) — Gains in technology companies and airlines have helped turn around stocks this afternoon. After being lower most of the day, the main indexes eked out modest gains by the close. The S&P and the Dow both edged up three points, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq climbed 20 points.
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Delaware State Police say a woman took a cab to and from a Wilmington convenience store and left her 1-year-old daughter in the vehicle while she robbed the store. Afterward, officers located the taxi and the driver, who said he'd had no idea what happened in the Wawa. The driver did tell police where he had dropped the woman off. She's been arrested and charged with robbery and endangering the welfare of a child.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
