Islamic State extremists claiming that an American woman held hostage by the group was killed on Fridayby a Jordanian airstrike. The woman identified as Kayla Jean Muller, an American who went to Syria to do aid work.  But hasn’t been any verification of the claim and the US says has not seen evidence of herdeath. 

 

The leaders of Germany and France, making a trip to Moscow Friday seeking a ceasefire and peace agreement in Ukraine. Germen Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande trying to salvage a peace agreement and avoid a military solution to the year-long conflict.

 

In New York, the funeral for the driver of an SUV involved in a deadly commuter train crash earlier this week. NTSB officials said Friday the train was penetrated by 15 sections of the third rail after it struck the SUV.

 

And in Berlin, zoo officials are showing off their newest offspring. This baby orangutan “Rieke” was born on January 12, but later abandoned by her mother. She’s been nursed and cared for by the zoo staff.

 

Robert Bumsted, the Associated Press with AP News Minute.