Jan 23 Watch 4:01 News Wrap: Ransom deadline passes for Japanese hostages held by Islamic State By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Friday, the deadline passed for the Japanese government to pay $200 million in ransom to Islamic State for two hostages. Japanese officials are still trying to free the two captives. Also, a pro-Russian rebel leader said… Continue watching
Jan 23 US, Cuba disagree on human rights as diplomatic talks in Havana close By Bradley Klapper, Michael Weissenstein, Associated Press HAVANA — Still at odds over human rights, the United States and Cuba closed two days of historic talks in Havana with some progress toward restoring diplomatic ties after a half-century of estrangement. Continue reading
Jan 22 Watch 7:13 News Wrap: European Central Bank launches stimulus program By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Thursday, the European Central Bank announced a plan to buy up $1.2 billion of bonds to stabilize Europe’s economy, a program similar to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing. Also, at least 13 people died in… Continue watching
Jan 22 Yemen president's resignation complicates closure of Guantanamo By Nedra Pickler, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Chaos in Yemen is adding yet another challenge to President Barack Obama's drive to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, with administration officials saying a ban on detainee transfers to the unstable Middle East nation has effectively been restored. Continue reading
Jan 22 U.S., Cuba look to clear roadblocks to diplomatic relations By Bradley Klapper, Michael Weissenstein, Associated Press HAVANA — The United States and Cuba are trying to eliminate obstacles to normalized ties as the highest-level U.S. delegation to the communist island in more than three decades holds a second day of talks with Cuban officials. Continue reading
Jan 21 Watch 5:42 Facing resistance from Capitol Hill, U.S. opens Cuba talks By PBS News Hour The United States and Cuba have commenced talks aimed at normalizing long-strained relations, but support for this turning point is not universal. Gwen Ifill talks to Indira Lakshmanan of Bloomberg News from Havana about opposition from Capitol Hill and the… Continue watching
Jan 20 Watch 8:30 Obama: U.S. will assist those who oppose 'violent extremism' By PBS News Hour Continue watching
Jan 20 Obama vows to assist those who stand up to 'violent extremism' By Larisa Epatko Saying his "first duty as commander-in-chief is to defend the United States of America," President Barack Obama told the nation and the world that his country "reserves the right to act unilaterally" to pursue and thwart terrorists. He also applauded… Continue reading
Jan 15 Watch 4:00 News Wrap: Israeli and Turkish leaders trade barbs over Paris attacks By PBS News Hour Continue watching
Jan 15 United States loosens embargo against Cuba By Bradley Klapper, Michael Weissenstein, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is putting a large dent in the U.S. embargo against Cuba as of Friday, significantly loosening restrictions on American trade and investment. Continue reading