AL-QAEDA CONFIRM EUROPEAN HOSTAGES ARE STILL ALIVE

             A twitter message by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) confirmed that eight European hostages kidnapped in 2010 are still alive. The message comes right after recent rallies in France marking the hostages’ 1,000 days in captivity. 'We would like to assure the families and parents of the hostages of their children’s safety' said the message, adding it will release a video of the hostages soon. The men, five of which are French, were taken in Niger while working for a French nuclear firm, writes the BBC (UK). AQIM has in the past threatened to execute the hostages if French military action continues in Mali, but so far has not done so. It also indicated that it is still open to negotiations for their release. Kidnapping is a popular method of fundraising for the group. A French sailor was recently rescued by Nigerian forces after he was kidnapped by pirates off the coast of Togo.