IN BRIEF (Page 11)

United States

Hostages killed in al-Qaida attack

Two hostages held by al-Qaida and two US citizens working with the militant group were killed in US counterterrorism operations earlier this year, the White House said on Thursday. Warren Weinstein, a US citizen held since 2011, and Giovanni Lo Porto, an Italian national held since 2012, were killed in a January operation in the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The operation targeted an al-Qaida-associated compound.

Cyberwarfare in Pentagon's plans

A new Pentagon cybersecurity strategy confirms for the first time publicly that the US military plans to use cyberwarfare as an option in conflicts with enemies. The cybersecurity strategy is the second by the Pentagon and is slated for release on Thursday, but it was obtained early by The Associated Press. The previous strategy, which was publicly released in 2011, made little reference to the Pentagon's offensive cyber capabilities, although US officials have spoken quietly about the issue.

Japan

Pilot age limits up amid shortage

Japan on Thursday raised the age limit for piloting a commercial plane to 67, the latest effort in Asia to cope with a drastic pilot shortage. Until now, pilots had to retire their wings at 65. Japan has 5,900 pilots, including 500 aged 60 or over, according to the government.

Malaysia

Death sentences OK'd for brothers

Malaysia's highest court on Thursday upheld guilty verdicts and death sentences for three Mexican brothers, a Singaporean and a Malaysian convicted of manufacturing drugs. The Gonzalez Villarreal brothers - Luis Alfonso, 47, Simon, 40, and Jose Regino, 37 - were arrested in March 2008 in an industrial building in southern Malaysia where police found 30 kilograms of methamphetamine and equipment for making drugs.

Australia

PMs announce IS intel sharing deal

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu, announced plans to stop the flow of Australians across the Turkish-Syrian border to fight for the Islamic State group. The pair, in a statement released in Canberra on Thursday, said the two countries had agreed to enhance cooperation to counter terrorism, tackle terrorist financing and mitigate the threats from foreign fighters.

Nigeria

Soldiers retreat after killings

Nigerian soldiers retreated from Islamist group Boko Haram's last known stronghold in the country's northeast on Thursday, concerned the area was booby-trapped after three pro-government vigilantes were killed by a landmine. A vigilante and a security source both confirmed the pullback from the Sambisa forest, a day after an offensive aimed at rooting out the insurgents.

Reuters - Xinhua - AP - AFP

(China Daily 04/24/2015 page11)