White House denies ransom deal with Iran

WASHINGTON • The White House has denied renewed accusations that it paid Iran ransom in January for the release of four American prisoners, parrying a wave of condemnations from Republicans.

Amid revelations that the United States helped airlift US$400 million (S$536.8 million) worth of Swiss francs and euros to Iran after a prisoner release, the White House on Wednesday insisted that the two were not linked.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

UN hopes for pause in fighting in Aleppo

GENEVA • The United Nations said yesterday that intensive diplomacy was going on to try to agree on a humanitarian pause in the fighting in the Syrian city of Aleppo. It hoped to see an agreement for a comprehensive humanitarian plan in the next few days.

The battle for eastern Aleppo, pitting besieged rebels against Syrian, Russian and Iranian-backed forces, erupted amid a diplomatic vacuum and no sign of a breakthrough in US-Russian efforts for a deal to unlock a new round of peace talks.

REUTERS

Labour Party 'should create a million jobs'

LONDON • British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn yesterday said his Labour Party should aim to create one million "good-quality jobs" and build one million new homes, as he continued his campaign to keep his job in the face of resistance from his lawmakers.

BLOOMBERG