Russia, US discuss possible Kerry visit to Moscow over Ukraine – reports
The possibility of the visit of the US Secretary of State John Kerry to Moscow to discuss the Ukraine crisis on February 4 “is being discussed,” TASS quoted a Russian diplomat in Washington as saying. If the visit takes place, it will be held at the US’s request, the diplomat said. Another diplomatic source told Reuters that talks on arranging a Kerry visit “have been going on for weeks,” and it could take place “in the coming days or weeks.” Kommersant daily quoted sources on Friday as saying Kerry would visit Moscow for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on February 4-5.
The possibility of the visit of the US Secretary of State John Kerry to Moscow to discuss the Ukraine crisis on February 4 “is being discussed,” TASS quoted a Russian diplomat in Washington as saying. If the visit takes place, it will be held at the US’s request, the diplomat said. Another diplomatic source told Reuters that talks on arranging a Kerry visit “have been going on for weeks,” and it could take place “in the coming days or weeks.” Kommersant daily quoted sources on Friday as saying Kerry would visit Moscow for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on February 4-5.
Egyptian president cuts short Ethiopia visit after Sinai attacks
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is cutting short a visit to Ethiopia for an African Union summit to deal with a wave of deadly militant attacks, his office said Friday. The previous day, at least 26 people, mostly soldiers, were killed when militants fired rockets and set off a car bomb in North Sinai province, AFP said. The simultaneous assaults were claimed by an affiliate of the Islamic State group (IS, formerly ISIS).
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is cutting short a visit to Ethiopia for an African Union summit to deal with a wave of deadly militant attacks, his office said Friday. The previous day, at least 26 people, mostly soldiers, were killed when militants fired rockets and set off a car bomb in North Sinai province, AFP said. The simultaneous assaults were claimed by an affiliate of the Islamic State group (IS, formerly ISIS).
Taliban claims attack at Kabul Airport that killed 4
Afghanistan’s Taliban have claimed responsibility for an attack at the Kabul Airport in which a gunman shot and killed three American contractors and one Afghan man. The claim came on Friday in a message from the Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, AP reported. The shooting at the North Kabul International Airport happened in the evening on Thursday. Mujahid said the Taliban fighter had infiltrated the ranks of Afghan forces to stage the attack and wore an Afghan police uniform.
Afghanistan’s Taliban have claimed responsibility for an attack at the Kabul Airport in which a gunman shot and killed three American contractors and one Afghan man. The claim came on Friday in a message from the Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, AP reported. The shooting at the North Kabul International Airport happened in the evening on Thursday. Mujahid said the Taliban fighter had infiltrated the ranks of Afghan forces to stage the attack and wore an Afghan police uniform.
Patient suspected of contracting Ebola admitted to California hospital
A patient suspected of contracting Ebola after traveling in West Africa was admitted on Thursday to a special isolation hospital unit in Sacramento. The patient, who exhibited symptoms of the disease and was being tested for infection, was considered at a relatively low risk of infection, Reuters said. The person had no known contact with anyone who has had the disease, according to Laura McCasland, a spokeswoman for the Sacramento County Public Health Department. The patient was transferred on Thursday morning to the University of California-Davis Medical Center from Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, and was later listed in good condition.
A patient suspected of contracting Ebola after traveling in West Africa was admitted on Thursday to a special isolation hospital unit in Sacramento. The patient, who exhibited symptoms of the disease and was being tested for infection, was considered at a relatively low risk of infection, Reuters said. The person had no known contact with anyone who has had the disease, according to Laura McCasland, a spokeswoman for the Sacramento County Public Health Department. The patient was transferred on Thursday morning to the University of California-Davis Medical Center from Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, and was later listed in good condition.
Families of ISIS hostages in limbo as deadline passes with no swap
Families of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto and Jordanian military pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, remained in limbo Friday, a day after the latest purported deadline for a possible prisoner swap, AP said. Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) militants were silent, and Japanese officials had no progress to report. The Jordanian government said late on Thursday that it would only release an Al-Qaeda prisoner from death row if it got proof the pilot was alive.
Families of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto and Jordanian military pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, remained in limbo Friday, a day after the latest purported deadline for a possible prisoner swap, AP said. Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) militants were silent, and Japanese officials had no progress to report. The Jordanian government said late on Thursday that it would only release an Al-Qaeda prisoner from death row if it got proof the pilot was alive.
Obama previews his 2016 budget, calling for end of sequestration
President Barack Obama unveiled his fiscal year 2016 budget to congressional Democrats, calling for an end to the drastic spending cuts known as sequestration. The White House will officially release the budget Monday. His proposals include trimming inefficiencies, eliminating tax loopholes and a 7 percent increase in spending over the 2013 sequester limits, a White House official told reporters. "The president will propose to end the across-the-board sequester cuts that threaten our economy and our military," the official said. "The... budget will fully reverse those cuts for domestic priorities, and match those investments dollar-for-dollar with the resources our troops need to keep America safe." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) dismissed the president’s budget, saying that Congress won’t pass tax increases. Obama told Democratic legislators his plans in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Thursday.
27 people killed in series of militant attacks in Egypt's Sinai
At least 27 people were killed, including civilians, and over 30 injured in a series of militants attacks in Egypt's North Sinai province on Thursday, local security and medical services said. According to a health ministry official who spoke to state TV, several army and police positions were targeted in the province's el-Arish capital. The office of state newspaper al-Ahram was reportedly damaged in the assault. The province – which is located in Egypt's remote desert region and borders the Gaza Strip, Israel and the Suez Canal – has been facing an Islamist insurgency which has claimed the lives of hundreds of security officers in the region.
Moscow's black list includes US nationals related to abduction of Russian in Maldives
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has disclosed names of US officials on its black list adopted in late December in response to Washington amending the Magnitsky Act. "The same number of US citizens have been banned from entering Russia on a mirror-like basis," spokesman Aleksandr Lukashevich said. The Russia list includes employees of the US Justice Department related to the kidnapping of Russian citizen Roman Seleznev in the Maldives: Charles Seth Wilkinson, Ethan Ray Arenson, Kathryn Warma and Norman Barbosa. The Magnitsky Act, passed in 2012, punishes a group of Russian state officials and law enforcement officials with a US asset freeze and a visa ban over alleged human rights violations. The law was named for Sergey Magnitsky, a Russian auditor who died in a pre-trial detention center while under investigation over a major tax fraud.
Wife of ISIS captive Goto urges Jordan, Japan to work for his release
The wife of a Japanese journalist held by ISIS insurgents in Syria urged the Japanese and Jordanian governments to work for his release, Reuters said. “I fear that this is the last chance for my husband, and we now have only a few hours left to secure his release and the life of [Jordanian air force pilot] Lieutenant Muath al-Kasaesbeh,” said Kenji Goto’s wife, Rinko. “My husband and I have two very young daughters. Our baby girl was only three weeks old when Kenji left. I hope our oldest daughter, who is just two, will get to see her father again.”
Doctors Without Borders quits 2 conflict-hit Sudanese states
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced Thursday it was withdrawing from two conflict-hit Sudanese states. “Because of the multiple denials of access, obstructions and blockages from the Sudanese authorities, the Brussels-based section of MSF has been forced to leave Sudan,” the organization said. Two other MSF branches continue to operate in Sudan but the Brussels-based arm was the only one working in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, and it was also present in southern Darfur, AFP reported.
Suicide bomber kills 16 at Afghanistan funeral
A suicide bomber killed 16 mourners and wounded another 39 at a funeral in Afghanistan for the victims of an earlier Taliban attack, AP reported. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing in Mihtarlam in eastern Laghman province. The bomber mingled with those gathered for the funeral for a police commander and three other people killed earlier in the day in a roadside bombing, then blew himself up.
Syria govt officials, opposition to hold more talks in Moscow
Representatives of President Bashar Assad and opposition political forces have agreed to hold another round of talks in Moscow, Reuters quoted moderator Vitaly Naumkin as saying Thursday. A date has not yet been set. Naumkin said: “It would have been naive to expect that the sides would solve all problems during their very first consultations.”
Jordan demands proof its pilot is alive, holding Iraqi prisoner
Jordan said Thursday it was still holding an Iraqi prisoner whose release has purportedly been demanded by Islamic State. Amman will only consider releasing her once it has proof that a Jordanian pilot held by the insurgents is still alive, Reuters said. Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani also said the country was coordinating with Japanese authorities in an effort to secure the release of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto, a journalist also being held by Islamic State.
Ukraine contact group to meet in Minsk on January 30
A meeting of the contact group on Ukraine will be held in Minsk on January 30, Tass news agency reported. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry made the announcement after being informed by the contact group about its next meeting.
PACE president: Russia voting ban could be overturned
PACE President Anne Brasseur has said the Russian delegation could get its right to vote back if 21 requirements are met by April, RIA Novosti reported. She said no decision had been made to annul powers of the Russian delegation. On January 28, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe prolonged sanctions against the Russian delegation and strip it of voting rights and the right to participate in the Assembly's leadership bodies until April.
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