Italian Held Hostage

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  American, Italian Hostages Inadvertently Killed in US Counter-Terror Operation: Barack Obama

  An American and an Italian who had been held hostage for several years by Al Qaeda in the border region of Pakistan and Afghanistan were inadvertently killed in a US counter-terrorism operation in January, US President Barack Obama today.

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  Italian Hostage Release Raises Questions Over Ransom

  Italian politicians welcomed the liberation of two Italian aid volunteers held hostage in Syria but their release drew criticism over a possible ransom payment.

• Four Italian journalists taken hostage in Syria freed

  Four Italian journalists who were being held hostage in Syria have been freed, Prime Minister Mario Monti said in a statement on Saturday.

• Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi's accountant held hostage for a night

  Silvio Berlusconi's accountant was taken hostage in his home by armed intruders who demanded a USD 44 million ransom from the former Italian premier, Italy's police said today.

• Italian hostage held by Al-Qaeda freed after 14 months

  An Italian hostage kidnapped by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in February last year in Southern Algeria was released on Tuesday and is in a hotel in Burkina Faso, officials said. "Maria Sandra Mariani is free. I have just informed her relatives. I join them in their great satisfaction and relief at this magnificent news," Foreign Minister Giulio...

• Odisha MLA kidnapping: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Koraput for high-level meet

  Even as Maoists in Odisha freed Italian national Paolo Bosusco after keeping him captive for nearly a month yesterday, the hostage crisis is still far from over with abducted tribal MLA Jhina Hikaka continuing to be held captive by another faction of the Maoists.

• Maoists free Italian hostage Paolo Bosusco

  After 29 days in hostage Paolo Bosusco, held hostage by the Odisha unit of the Maoist party has been released.

• Odisha hostage crisis: Govt gives in to Maoist demands for release of Italian national

  With the Maoists' 96-hour deadline drawing to a close, the Odisha government has finally given to the ultras' demand for the release of the abducted Italian national, Paolo Bosusco. With this, Mr Bosusco is expected to walk free soon after spending over three weeks in captivity.

• As deadline nears for hostages release, Odisha govt scrambling to meet demands

  Even as the 96 hour deadline for the release of the Italian tourist, given to the Odisha government by Sabyasachi Panda gets closer, the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik made another statement to the house clarifying that the Maoist chief was not correct in his accusations of the government efforts being a farce. "Yesterday Sabyasachi Panda...

• Talks on to resolve Odisha hostage crisis

  Talks have begun at the State Guest House in Bhubaneshwar to end hostage crisis in Odisha, where an Italian national and an MLA are being held by two rival factions of Naxals. Three government officials and two Maoist representatives are in talks to strike a deal in exchange for the freedom of the captives.

• Odisha names prisoners to be released in exchange for hostages

  In exchange for an Italian tour guide and an MLA, the Odisha government has agreed to release 27 prisoners, including eight Naxals. The hostages are being held by two rival factions of Naxals. No date has been fixed yet for the release of the prisoners. Here are 10 big facts on this story:

• Will swapping prisoners for hostages make things worse for Odisha?

  In exchange for an Italian tour guide and an MLA, the Odisha government has agreed to release 27 prisoners, including eight Naxals. The hostages are being held by two rival factions of Naxals. Here are 10 big facts on this story:

• Odisha hostage crisis: Maoists want media to mediate

  Even as one Italian national was released by the Maoists in Odisha, hectic negotiations are on to ensure safe release of the second Italian national and a ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA still held captive.

• Abducted Odisha MLA writes to Naveen Patnaik

  A day after the Italian tourist held hostage by Maoists in Odisha was released, a handwritten note in Odia, from the abducted MLA, Jhinn Hikaka addressed to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been received by the state government. In his letter Mr Hikaka says he is safe but has asked that for his release, all anti-Maoist combing and intelligence op...

• Odisha hostage crisis: Maoists release one of the two Italian nationals

  After spending 11 days in Maoist captivity, one of the two Italian nationals, Claudio Colangelo, who was taken hostage, has been released in Odisha's Kandhmal district. The other Italian national, Bosusco Paolo, is still being held hostage by the Maoists.