Written By Unknown on Minggu, 01 Februari 2015 | 18.25
The family of Bobbi Kristina Brown, the daughter of the late singer Whitney Houston, are "praying for a swift recovery", her cousin has told Sky News.
The 21-year-old was found unresponsive in a bathtub on Saturday morning by her husband Nick Gordon and a friend at a home in Roswell, Georgia, in what was an eerie echo of her mother's death in 2012.
The pair started performing CPR, as did medics who were called to the home.
Ms Brown was revived after being rushed to the local North Fulton Hospital.
The property where Ms Brown was found
Her cousin Jerod Brown told Sky News: "She's pretty good right now, she's around family.
"What I do want to say is thanks for all the prayers and support that the fans have been showing Bobbi Kristina.
"We're just praying for a speedy recovery, that's it."
Mr Brown did not comment on reports Ms Brown has been put in a medically-induced coma, saying: "She's doing fine right now. That's all I can give you right now."
Ms Brown with her mother in 2011
He added: "I'm pretty sure she'll be getting out of there very soon."
When asked how his cousin was feeling ahead of the upcoming anniversary of her mother's death, Mr Brown said: "She's in good spirits.
"Of course she goes through the grieving because it's still fresh, but other than that she's doing fine."
Houston died aged 48 from accidental drowning in a bathtub at a hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in February 2012.
Houston left her entire estate to her only child, although she must wait until she is 30 to inherit everything.
Ms Brown and her husband Nick Gordon pictured together in 2012
However, under the terms of the will a trust administered by Houston's family was to dole out money to Ms Brown at ages 21 and 25.
A coroner concluded that heart disease and cocaine use were contributing factors in Houston's death.
Houston, a gospel singer's daughter, won six Grammy awards and sold more than 50 million records in the US alone.
Her hits included Saving All My Love For You, I Will Always Love You, The Greatest Love Of All and I'm Every Woman.
The Japanese government says a video showing the apparent murder of hostage Kenji Goto appears to be genuine.
The one minute-long footage was apparently released by Islamic State (IS) on Saturday evening.
It purportedly shows the beheading of the Japanese freelance journalist and film-maker, who was a father of three.
The man was wearing an orange jumpsuit and the video was similar to previous beheading footage the militant group has released.
The video was called "A Message to the Government of Japan" and the apparent murderer spoke with a British accent.
He blamed Mr Goto's beheading on Japan's support for the US-led coalition fighting IS in the Middle East.
The kneeling hostage did not speak in the footage.
Junko Ishido, Kenji Goto's mother, said she was heartbroken by his death
The Japanese, UK and US governments strongly condemned IS, with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visibly upset as he spoke to reporters in Tokyo.
"I am extremely angry about these heinous and despicable terrorist acts. We will never forgive terrorists," he said.
Video:'This Is A Generational Struggle'
"We will co-operate with the international community to make them atone for their crimes."
US President Barack Obama said America condemned the "heinous murder" and would continue to work with allies to destroy the jihadist group.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said it was a "further reminder that ISIL is the embodiment of evil, with no regard for human life".
And Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, speaking in Sydney, added: "It is important that we do recognise that although the current challenge is focused around Iraq and Syria, we have to recognise that the underlying challenge of extremist Islamism is going to be with us for a long while.
"This is a generational struggle against this ideology and we are going to have to fight these battles not just in the Middle East, but in other parts of the world as well. There is nowhere that is safe from this challenge."
Speaking from her home in a suburb of Tokyo, Mr Goto's mother Junko Ishido said: "Kenji has died, and my heart is broken.
"Facing such a tragic death, I'm just speechless."
Video:Negotiations With IS Are 'Futile'
The family of another IS hostage, Jordanian fighter pilot Lt Mu'ath al Kassasbeh, said they were "devastated" by Mr Goto's murder.
His uncle, Yassin Rawashda, has urged the Jordanian government to "tell us the truth", amid concerns that they have not had an update on how negotiations for his release are going.
Mr Goto travelled to Syria in October seeking to secure the release of Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa, according to friends and business associates.
Earlier this month, IS released a video of Mr Goto and Mr Yukawa and threatened to kill them unless a $200m (£133m) ransom was paid.
Last week, Mr Abe slammed "an outrageous and unforgivable act" after a video reportedly showing an image of Mr Goto holding a picture of a beheaded Mr Yukawa was posted online.
Mr Goto's family made public pleas to Mr Abe to negotiate his safe release.
Earlier on Saturday, a top Japanese diplomat said there was a "state of deadlock" in negotiations to release Mr Goto.
Video:I.S. Assault On Kirkuk Hotel
Japan's deputy foreign minister Yasuhide Nakayama made the comments in the Jordanian capital Amman, where he had been leading Tokyo's team attempting to secure the freedom of the veteran war reporter.
Mr Goto, 47, had appeared in videos released by IS in which his fate was linked to Jordanian pilot Lt Mu'ath al Kassasbeh.
Jordan and Japan held indirect negotiations with the militants, who control around a third of Iraq and Syria, for the release of the men in exchange for a jailed jihadist.
Jordan demanded evidence that the airman who crashed in Syria on December 24 is still alive before freeing the would-be suicide bomber, who is on death row.
IS had said it would kill Jordan's captured pilot by sunset on Thursday unless Iraqi jihadist Sajida al Rishawi was released.
As Japan mourns the apparent beheading of Kenji Goto, his friends have described him as a "kind, soft-spoken and gentle man with a wonderful sense of humour".
According to the journalist's family, he had travelled to Syria in an attempt to secure the release of Haruna Yukawa - the other Japanese hostage who was purportedly killed by Islamic State last week.
The 47-year-old left behind two daughters. His youngest was just three weeks old when he flew to the Middle East.
In a video recording made before his last trip, he said: "No matter what happens to me, I will always love the people of Syria."
Mr Goto was a veteran freelance reporter, often working often with other filmmakers and Japanese TV producers, listing Kosovo and Liberai among the places his work had taken him.
Video:Japan PM Condemns 'Cowardly' Act
In 2005, he wrote about the suffering of children in Sierra Leone in a book titled We Want Peace, Not Diamonds.
But Mr Goto stressed he was not a war reporter, instead he wanted to tell the stories of regular people in the refugee camps and orphanages on the edge of conflicts and disasters.
His friend, Mark Tchelistcheff, told Sky News: "Kenji always gave himself up for others and was a remarkable, remarkable man.
"He reported about humanity, the people on the street. He knew the risks and he took the risks because he thought he could really help.
Video:'This Is A Generational Struggle'
"Kenji was not just a good friend to me, he was a friend to the people. The world is a lesser place today with his loss."
In an emotive news conference, Mr Goto's mother said she hoped his death would "contribute something to the world".
Junko Ishido added: "He always hoped to make the world a place without any wars, and to save children from war and poverty. I promise here to carry out his legacy, hopefully with your support."
Written By Unknown on Senin, 26 Januari 2015 | 18.25
More Snow And Wintry Showers Set To Hit UK
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Video:Wintry Weather On The Way
Forecasters are predicting heavy snow to fall across parts of Britain in the coming days, prompting a warning about travel disruption.
Wintry showers are forecast for England's North, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Wednesday and Thursday.
Up to 5cm of snow is expected in low-lying areas and forecasters say higher ground could see in excess of 10cm.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for people to be aware of possible travel disruption.
Strong gusty winds are also expected and visibility may be reduced.
1/23
Gallery: White Winter: Snow Falls On England
A car that crashed into a house in Sheffield in the snow. Pic @VentureResi
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Snow covered trees on the Baitings Reservoir, near Ripponden, as the cold snap continues
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Sheep cross a bridge under Baitings Reservoir dam
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A statement by the Met Office's chief forecaster read: "An active cold front is expected to push south-east across the UK during Wednesday introducing an increasingly cold and unstable air mass.
"Showers will become frequent and heavy, increasingly falling as snow in the north and west, and driven well inland by strong to gale force north-westerly winds.
"Accumulating snow is likely, especially overnight."
Paul Knightley, UK forecast manager at weather services company MeteoGroup, said strong winds will bring colder air.
"Accompanying this fresh to strong wind will be numerous wintry showers, falling as hail, sleet and snow.
"Although these are possible almost anywhere from Wednesday afternoon onwards, the higher ground of western and northern Britain and Northern Ireland is most likely to see significant snowfall."
Last week, snow and freezing conditions gripped parts of northern England, the Midlands, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The coldest temperature of the winter so far at -11.2C was recorded at Loch Glascarnoch in Scotland on January 18.
It beat the previous record low of -9C, which was set on December 27 in Cromdale, Moray, also in Scotland.
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More Snow And Wintry Showers Set To Hit UK
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Wintry Weather On The Way
Forecasters are predicting heavy snow to fall across parts of Britain in the coming days, prompting a warning about travel disruption.
Wintry showers are forecast for England's North, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Wednesday and Thursday.
Up to 5cm of snow is expected in low-lying areas and forecasters say higher ground could see in excess of 10cm.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for people to be aware of possible travel disruption.
Strong gusty winds are also expected and visibility may be reduced.
1/23
Gallery: White Winter: Snow Falls On England
A car that crashed into a house in Sheffield in the snow. Pic @VentureResi
]]>
Snow covered trees on the Baitings Reservoir, near Ripponden, as the cold snap continues
]]>
Sheep cross a bridge under Baitings Reservoir dam
]]>
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A statement by the Met Office's chief forecaster read: "An active cold front is expected to push south-east across the UK during Wednesday introducing an increasingly cold and unstable air mass.
"Showers will become frequent and heavy, increasingly falling as snow in the north and west, and driven well inland by strong to gale force north-westerly winds.
"Accumulating snow is likely, especially overnight."
Paul Knightley, UK forecast manager at weather services company MeteoGroup, said strong winds will bring colder air.
"Accompanying this fresh to strong wind will be numerous wintry showers, falling as hail, sleet and snow.
"Although these are possible almost anywhere from Wednesday afternoon onwards, the higher ground of western and northern Britain and Northern Ireland is most likely to see significant snowfall."
Last week, snow and freezing conditions gripped parts of northern England, the Midlands, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The coldest temperature of the winter so far at -11.2C was recorded at Loch Glascarnoch in Scotland on January 18.
It beat the previous record low of -9C, which was set on December 27 in Cromdale, Moray, also in Scotland.
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Breaking News: Greece's Syriza Forms Anti-Bailout Coalition
By Alex Crawford in Minova, Democratic Republic of Congo
The room is crowded with women, all of whom have been raped. If that's not horrifying enough, many of the women have been raped multiple times and are pregnant as a result.
Their terrifying stores of torture and terror are not even unusual. If the Democratic Republic of Congo is the rape capital of the world, then Minova is its nerve centre - and the raping is still going on.
The town is most notorious for the mass rape of hundreds of women by Congolese soldiers in November 2012.
An investigation by the United Nations found the soldiers raped at least 97 women and 33 girls (some as young as six).
The locals insist the true figure is far higher - and more alarmingly, that the rapes are still continuing.
Video:Dec 2014: The Violent Past Of DRC
The assaults are not confined to Congolese soldiers but also the rebel militias as well as the vigilante groups set up to 'protect' the population.
The Sky camera crew is at a shelter set up for rape victims by a woman called Rebecca Masika (known as Ma Masika).
She has two children as a result of rape and knows the trauma and isolation of being a victim.
"If you look at my face, you can see the scar, it's a mark of rape and I have them all over my body," she says. "I had to help these women because I've been raped too.
"They made me watch them cut my husband's body into pieces, then they raped me on his dead body."
One of the young girls in the room looks heavily pregnant and has a visible weeping sore on her right ankle.
Anuarite is 16 years old - barely out of childhood herself. The rebel militia who raped her did so several times during the four months she was held captive.
She has terrible internal injuries too - and cries as she recounts her horrific story to us. Her birth won't be easy.
Video:Sept 2014: Militia Scared To Disarm
She says: "They took us into the bush and those who refused to sleep with them, they forced, by stabbing us with knives. They killed many girls.
"Some of them were shot with bullets in the vagina."
All these stories are uncomfortable hearing. We hear how the rapists - again in uniform - have even attacked the very house where Ma Masika has built the refuge.
All these women have been left homeless after being cast out by their families and their communities.
And the refuge is crowded out with children - all the result of rape.
It is heartbreakingly tragic. There's a whole generation of rape babies - and little interest from the outside world coupled with mass inertia as to how to make it all stop.
Congo's civil war may be two decades old but the violence is creating fresh victims every day.
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Video:Greece Rejects EU Austerity
Greece's left-wing Syriza party has formed an anti-austerity coalition government, just hours after sweeping to victory in Sunday's national election.
Party leader Alexis Tsipras has struck a coalition deal with the right-wing Nationalist Independent Greeks party which, like Syriza, opposes Greece's tough international bailout deal.
"From this moment there is a government in the country," Nationalist Independent Greeks leader Panos Kammenos said after talks with Mr Tsipras at Syriza's headquarters in Athens.
Alexis Tsipras (R) with the leader of the Independent Greeks party
"The Independent Greeks give a vote of confidence in Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. There is an agreement in principle."
Mr Tsipras will be sworn in later this afternoon.
1/16
Gallery: Alexis Tsipras Celebrates Victory For His Anti-Austerity Party
A young child supporting anti-austerity party Syriza takes part in celebrations after the first exit polls in Athens
Syriza supporters await the final result of the Greek election at the party tent
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Members of the conservative New Democracy party watch as exit polls shows a significant victory for Syriza
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Outgoing Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is seen after a news conference following an updated exit poll in Athens
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Celebrations continue for supporters of Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras in Athens
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The unusual pairing of parties from opposite ends of the political spectrum, but with a shared drive to reverse painful austerity measures, raises the prospect of a stand-off with European creditors including economic powerhouse, Germany.
In his victory speech Mr Tsipras vowed Greece would abandon the "catastrophic austerity" measures imposed under the EU-IMF deal.
He has also promised to renegotiate the repayment terms of Greece's €240bn (£176bn) international bailout.
"Greece leaves behinds catastrophic austerity, it leaves behind fear and authoritarianism, it leaves behind five years of humiliation and anguish," Mr Tsipras told thousands of supporters in Athens.
But a spokesman for the German Chancellor said Angela Merkel still expects Greece to stand by its commitments to international creditors, while Chancellor George Osborne said Syriza's promises were going to "be very difficult to deliver".
1/2
Gallery: Tsipras' Surprising First Post-Election Tweet
Syriza party leader Alexis Tsipras' first tweet after sweeping to victory in Greece's general election was somewhat unexpected
His first victory tweet was to British actor and comedian Hugh Laurie for this message of congratulations
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Greece was forced to undertake deep budget cuts and fiscal reforms as a condition for the 2010 bailout from the so-called "Troika" - the group of creditors made up of the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank.
Many in Greece feel slashed public spending has hit the most vulnerable hardest, while leaving the tax evasion and corruption of the apparent elites untouched.
With 99.8% of the votes counted, Syriza had 149 seats in the 300-seat parliament, just two seats short of an overall majority.
It was 8.5 points ahead of the conservative New Democracy party of outgoing Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who promptly conceded defeat.
Financial markets have reacted nervously to the result, fearing fresh trouble in Greece and a contagion of anti-austerity sentiment in other struggling eurozone countries that could put strain the currency bloc.
Video:Samaras: 'Greek People Have Spoken'
The euro fell to a fresh 11-year low against the dollar shortly after the result became clear but later strengthened against the dollar and while stocks initially fell across Europe, the major markets later recovered.
The AthEx market - which tracks the prices of the top 25 firms in the Athens Stock Exchange - opened 0.6% lower before losing more than 5% of its value in a volatile first hour.
Mr Tsipras said he would cooperate with fellow eurozone leaders for "a fair and mutually beneficial solution", but said the Greek people come first.
"Our priority from the very first day will be to deal with the big wounds left by the crisis," he said.
"Our foremost priority is that our country and our people regain their lost dignity."
Video:Osborne warning after Greek vote
He added: "The verdict of our people means the Troika is finished.
"The new Greek government will be ready to cooperate and negotiate for the first time with our peers a just, mutually beneficial and viable solution."
Mr Samaras had insisted voters would be making a huge mistake to elect Syriza at a time when painful fiscal reforms may be about to pay off.
After conceding defeat, he told supporters: "My conscience is clear because I told the truth to the Greek people until the very end.
"I received a country that was almost destroyed and I was asked to hold a hot potato and I did that."
Video:Olympic Sites Left Crumbling
Mr Tsipras, meanwhile, used his first post-election tweet to respond to a message of congratulations from British actor and comedian Hugh Laurie.
"Thank you Dr", he wrote, in apparent reference to Laurie's role in the US television series House.
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Greece's Syriza Forms Anti-Bailout Coalition
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Greece Rejects EU Austerity
Greece's left-wing Syriza party has formed an anti-austerity coalition government, just hours after sweeping to victory in Sunday's national election.
Party leader Alexis Tsipras has struck a coalition deal with the right-wing Nationalist Independent Greeks party which, like Syriza, opposes Greece's tough international bailout deal.
"From this moment there is a government in the country," Nationalist Independent Greeks leader Panos Kammenos said after talks with Mr Tsipras at Syriza's headquarters in Athens.
Alexis Tsipras (R) with the leader of the Independent Greeks party
"The Independent Greeks give a vote of confidence in Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. There is an agreement in principle."
Mr Tsipras will be sworn in later this afternoon.
1/16
Gallery: Alexis Tsipras Celebrates Victory For His Anti-Austerity Party
A young child supporting anti-austerity party Syriza takes part in celebrations after the first exit polls in Athens
Syriza supporters await the final result of the Greek election at the party tent
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Members of the conservative New Democracy party watch as exit polls shows a significant victory for Syriza
]]>
Outgoing Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is seen after a news conference following an updated exit poll in Athens
]]>
Celebrations continue for supporters of Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras in Athens
]]>
The unusual pairing of parties from opposite ends of the political spectrum, but with a shared drive to reverse painful austerity measures, raises the prospect of a stand-off with European creditors including economic powerhouse, Germany.
In his victory speech Mr Tsipras vowed Greece would abandon the "catastrophic austerity" measures imposed under the EU-IMF deal.
He has also promised to renegotiate the repayment terms of Greece's €240bn (£176bn) international bailout.
"Greece leaves behinds catastrophic austerity, it leaves behind fear and authoritarianism, it leaves behind five years of humiliation and anguish," Mr Tsipras told thousands of supporters in Athens.
But a spokesman for the German Chancellor said Angela Merkel still expects Greece to stand by its commitments to international creditors, while Chancellor George Osborne said Syriza's promises were going to "be very difficult to deliver".
1/2
Gallery: Tsipras' Surprising First Post-Election Tweet
Syriza party leader Alexis Tsipras' first tweet after sweeping to victory in Greece's general election was somewhat unexpected
His first victory tweet was to British actor and comedian Hugh Laurie for this message of congratulations
]]>
Greece was forced to undertake deep budget cuts and fiscal reforms as a condition for the 2010 bailout from the so-called "Troika" - the group of creditors made up of the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank.
Many in Greece feel slashed public spending has hit the most vulnerable hardest, while leaving the tax evasion and corruption of the apparent elites untouched.
With 99.8% of the votes counted, Syriza had 149 seats in the 300-seat parliament, just two seats short of an overall majority.
It was 8.5 points ahead of the conservative New Democracy party of outgoing Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who promptly conceded defeat.
Financial markets have reacted nervously to the result, fearing fresh trouble in Greece and a contagion of anti-austerity sentiment in other struggling eurozone countries that could put strain the currency bloc.
Video:Samaras: 'Greek People Have Spoken'
The euro fell to a fresh 11-year low against the dollar shortly after the result became clear but later strengthened against the dollar and while stocks initially fell across Europe, the major markets later recovered.
The AthEx market - which tracks the prices of the top 25 firms in the Athens Stock Exchange - opened 0.6% lower before losing more than 5% of its value in a volatile first hour.
Mr Tsipras said he would cooperate with fellow eurozone leaders for "a fair and mutually beneficial solution", but said the Greek people come first.
"Our priority from the very first day will be to deal with the big wounds left by the crisis," he said.
"Our foremost priority is that our country and our people regain their lost dignity."
Video:Osborne warning after Greek vote
He added: "The verdict of our people means the Troika is finished.
"The new Greek government will be ready to cooperate and negotiate for the first time with our peers a just, mutually beneficial and viable solution."
Mr Samaras had insisted voters would be making a huge mistake to elect Syriza at a time when painful fiscal reforms may be about to pay off.
After conceding defeat, he told supporters: "My conscience is clear because I told the truth to the Greek people until the very end.
"I received a country that was almost destroyed and I was asked to hold a hot potato and I did that."
Video:Olympic Sites Left Crumbling
Mr Tsipras, meanwhile, used his first post-election tweet to respond to a message of congratulations from British actor and comedian Hugh Laurie.
"Thank you Dr", he wrote, in apparent reference to Laurie's role in the US television series House.
Written By Unknown on Minggu, 25 Januari 2015 | 18.25
The father of the Japanese hostage apparently killed by Islamic State has said he is overwhelmed by grief.
Shoichi Yukawa said he still had hope "deep in my heart that this is not true" and added that if he were reunited with his son he would give him a "big hug".
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe slammed "an outrageous and unforgivable act" after a video reportedly showing an image of captive Kenji Goto holding a picture of a beheaded Haruna Yukawa was posted online.
The clip also purportedly contained the voice of journalist Mr Goto, 47, claiming the 42-year-old private military company operator had been killed.
Mr Abe said the video, which also includes a demand for a prisoner exchange for Mr Goto, appears to be authentic.
Kenji Goto purportedly claimed his fellow hostage has been killed
The jihadist group Islamic State (IS) had threatened to kill the captives unless a $200m (£133m) ransom was paid to secure their release.
The 72-hour deadline set by the Islamist militants expired on Friday.
However, in the new video they have called for the release of Sajida al Rishawi, an Iraqi woman sentenced to death in Jordan for her part in the Amman bombings in 2005 that killed 60 people.
Mr Abe insisted Tokyo would not bow to terrorism and said his government would spare no effort to secure the release of the remaining captive.
Islamic State have demanded the release of Sajida al Risahwi from Jordan
But he reiterated that Japan would not give in to terrorism.
Barack Obama condemned the "brutal murder" and said the United states would stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Japan.
He called Mr Abe to offer his condolences and called for the immediate release of Mr Goto.
In the video, Mr Goto spoke in English, blaming Mr Abe for Mr Yukawa's death, and told his wife and family not to give up on him.
A Japanese news agency reported the video of Mr Goto had also been emailed to the wife of one of the hostages.
The hostages had appeared in videos wearing the same orange jumpsuits as those worn by captives in previous IS videos.
The mother of Mr Goto has pleaded with militants to spare her son's life.
Junko Ishido said he is a friend of Islam who devoted his life to helping children in war zones.
Mr Yukawa was seized by militants in August, after he went to Syria in what he described as a plan to launch a security company.
Mr Goto, a veteran war correspondent, went into Syria in late October seeking to secure Mr Yukawa's release, according to friends and business associates.
Islamic State militants have said they will release the remaining Japanese hostage Kenji Goto if a prisoner called Sajida al Rishawi is released from jail in Jordan.
But who is she and why does IS want her free?
On the evening of 9 November 2005, explosions ripped through three hotels in the Jordanian capital, Amman.
Police at the scene of a bombing at the Radisson Hotel, Jordan, in 2005
At the Day's Inn hotel, a bomber detonated an explosive belt killing three people. Down the road at the Grand Hyatt, a second bomber detonated his belt. Nine people died.
At the Radisson SAS Hotel, the final two suicide bombers prepared their devices. The couple, a husband and wife team, walked into the hotel ballroom where newlyweds were celebrating their marriage with 900 guests.
Al Rishawi shows her suicide belt during a televised confession in 2005
Ali Hussein Ali al Shamari detonated his device. It killed him and 37 others. His wife tried to detonate her belt, but it failed to go off. She escaped but was later arrested. Her name is Sajida al Rishawi.
She has spent the past 10 years, forgotten, in a Jordanian prison cell. Suddenly she is a focus again.
In his audio statement, Japanese hostage Mr Goto read out the demand from his IS captors:
"I would like to stress how easy it is to save my life, you bring them their sister from the Jordanian regime and I will be released immediately. Me for her."
IS say they will release Kenji Goto if al Rishawi is freed
Al Rishawi, an Iraqi national in her 40s, is more than just a symbolic 'sister' of the Islamic State. There is a thread linking her to the terrorist group and it goes back over a decade.
The thread begins in Ramadi, a town in a region west of Baghdad where the group known as Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) was formed.
Al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al Zarqawi was killed by US forces
The leader of AQI was Abu Musab al Zarqawi, a man personally responsible for a series of bombings and beheadings at the height of the Iraqi insurgency in the mid-2000s.
Al Zarqawi's 'right-hand man', according to the Jordanian deputy prime minister, was a man called Mubarak Atrous al Rishawi. He was the brother of Sajida al Rishawi.
Al Zarqawi and Mubarak Atrous al Rishawi were both killed by US forces in Iraq, but their group lived on.
It adapted and amalgamated with other groups.
By 2006 it had morphed into the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI) and eventually, after expanding into Syria as well as Iraq, it became the self-styled 'Islamic State' under the leadership of Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, a graduate of al Zarqawi's brutality.
Abu Bakr al Baghdadi is the leader of Islamic State
King Abdullah of Jordan, who proudly announced the capture of Sajida al Rishawi after her failed bombing attempt in 2005, has spoken in the last 24 hours to the Japanese Prime Minister.
The two men will be discussing al Rishawi: can she be traded? Will she be released?
Following her arrest, she made a TV confession of her attempted bombing.
She explained how she and her husband spread out in the ballroom in order to kill as many people as possible: "There were women, men and children" she said.
The Conservative Party chairman has dismissed Nigel Farage's claims against a UKIP defector as "absolute desperate stuff".
Amjad Bashir announced on Saturday he had defected to the Conservative Party, with David Cameron saying he was "absolutely delighted" with the decision
But Mr Farage told Sky News the "Establishment" had been threatened by UKIP's success and that he was expecting "102 days of endless negativity" ahead of the General Election.
Amjad Bahir has defected to the Conservatives from UKIP
He has claimed UKIP's MEPs had been "begging" him to get rid of Mr Bashir because of a number of serious irregularities and said the party was was about to suspend him.
Speaking on the BBC Andrew Marr Show, he said he was "surprised" the Tories had accepted the MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber given UKIP were about to suspend him because of the allegations of a "grave nature".
Video:Grant Shapps on UKIP defection
The UKIP leader claimed there were questions over money in Brussels, the apparent employment of illegal immigrants at his restaurant, alleged interference with candidate selection process and apparent links to political extremists from Pakistan.
However, Grant Shapps told Sky's Dermot Murnaghan the Conservatives had done "due diligence" on Mr Bashir's background and had been in talks with him for some time.
And he dismissed the comments made by Mr Farage as "absolute desperate stuff from UKIP".
It comes as one of Mr Farage's most senior aides sparked controversy by claiming Britain has "hundreds of thousands of bigots" and saying UKIP was proud to stand up for them.
Matthew Richardson, the party's secretary, has dismissed his comments as "lighthearted harmless banter in the pub".
Mr Farage told Andrew Marr it was an attempt by the political establishment and their "friends in the media" to damage UKIP and echoed Mr Richardson's comments that it had been just pub talk.
As he attempted to limit the damage from the weekend's stories, Mr Farage promised to fund the NHS with the money Britain would save from leaving the European Union, pledging £3bn extra a year - more than Labour's pledge.
Mr Bashir, who was formerly UKIP's small business spokesman, was accused of hypocrisy last May after it emerged that seven people were arrested for immigration offences in a raid on his restaurant.
Video:UKIP MEP Suspended Before Defection
At the time, the party leader had refused to "prejudge" the case, as Mr Bashir's family had launched an appeal.
In addition, Mr Bashir reportedly held a "continued affiliation" with Mujeeb Bhutto - who resigned from the party in 2014 after it emerged he had been jailed for leading a gang of kidnappers in Pakistan.
Explaining his reasons for quitting the party, Mr Bashir told The Sunday Telegraph that UKIP had become a "party of ruthless self-interest" and was "pretty amateur".
He added: "The issues raised in my notice of suspension are historic and well known to the party. Indeed, on one of them, Nigel Farage has publicly defended me over it."
The defection is a boost for the Prime Minister, who saw two of his own MPs defect to UKIP last year and comes as a ICM Wisdom Index poll showed a significant drop off in UKIP support in the last month and a Tory boost.
He said: "I'm absolutely delighted that Amjad has decided to leave UKIP and join the Conservative Party."
Mr Farage claimed UKIP could win around three or four seats in May and said the party was not just taking seats from the Tories.
Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 24 Januari 2015 | 18.25
By Mark Kleinman, City Editor, in Davos
The parent company of British Airways (BA) has approached Aer Lingus about a fresh takeover bid for the Irish carrier.
Sky News can exclusively reveal that International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) submitted a revised proposal to the board of Aer Lingus within the last couple of days.
Sources said that the board of IAG had authorised an improved all-cash offer earlier this week worth at least €2.50 a share, which would value the Dublin-based airline at more than €1.3bn (£971m).
Directors of Aer Lingus discussed the proposal on Friday with their investment banking advisers from Goldman Sachs, according to insiders.
The disclosure of the approach by Sky News is likely to trigger stock exchange statements by both companies on Monday.
The fresh overture could be sufficient to persuade Aer Lingus to enter into formal takeover discussions with IAG, although it was unclear this weekend whether there were significant conditions attached to the proposal.
It was also unclear whether IAG might be prepared to raise its offer for a third time if the current proposal is rejected.
IAG's chief executive, Willie Walsh, is a former Aer Lingus pilot who went on to run the airline before taking the helm at BA in 2005.
He has made two previous approaches for the Dublin-based carrier, pitched at €2.30 and €2.40 a share, in the past six weeks.
Both were rebuffed by Aer Lingus on the basis that there were undisclosed conditions attached and that they "fundamentally undervalue[d] Aer Lingus and its attractive prospects".
Mr Walsh's attempt to acquire Aer Lingus is designed to cement its grip on take-off and landing rights at London's Heathrow Airport, while enabling him to improve the Irish carrier's profitability by combining some operations with those of IAG.
Already the largest carrier at Heathrow, a merger of the two companies would create a group with close to half of the available slots there.
A Government commission on aviation capacity led by Sir Howard Davies is due to recommend after the General Election whether Heathrow or Gatwick should be allowed to construct a new runway.
Even if Aer Lingus's board is minded to open talks with IAG, Mr Walsh will need to persuade the Irish Government and Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary of the bid's merits.
Ryanair owns a 29.8% stake in Aer Lingus and has fought a long-running battle with regulators over both that shareholding and a string of its own bids for its rival dating back to 2006.
Ryanair has indicated that it would be prepared to consider an offer of between €2.50 and €2.70 a share.
The Irish Government holds a 25.1% stake in the airline, and reports have suggested that it could insist that IAG retains Aer Lingus's Heathrow slots solely for flights to and from Ireland as a condition for approving a deal.
Analysts have argued that such a pre-condition would make Aer Lingus less attractive to Mr Walsh, who in addition to his IAG role is also chairman of Dublin's state debt management agency.
IAG was created in 2009 from the merger of BA and Iberia, which has been radically restructured by Mr Walsh against initially intense opposition from Spanish labour groups.
Since then, it has also acquired Vueling, another Spanish carrier, struck an alliance with American Airlines and considered several other big takeovers.
IAG shares closed on Friday up 2.1% at 536p, valuing it at almost £11bn, while Aer Lingus shares closed up 0.4% at €2.35, giving it a market capitalisation of €1.25bn.
Aer Lingus is preparing for a transition in its leadership regardless of Mr Walsh's efforts to acquire it.
The airline's chief executive, Christoph Mueller, is leaving in May to run Malaysia Airlines, which is being nationalised following the disasters last year involving flights MH370 and MH17.
IAG, which is being advised by Deutsche Bank, and Aer Lingus both declined to comment.
