Fates of ‘Islamic State’ hostages still unknown

“Government institutions are working around the clock on the case of pilot Muath al-Kaseasbeh,” Jordanian military spokesman Mamdouh al-Ameri said in a statement. “We will inform you of any developments in due time.”

Jordan has said it will only release an al-Qaida prisoner from death row if it gets proof the pilot is alive and so far has received no such evidence from the “Islamic State” hostage-takers.

Officials in Tokyo also said they had no progress to report.

“There is nothing I can tell you,” said government spokesman Yoshihide Suga, reiterating Japan’s “strong trust” in the Jordanians to help save the Japanese hostage, freelance journalist Kenji Goto.