In brief: Japan’s economy continues to shrink

TOKYO – Japan reported today that its economy contracted at a real annual rate of 1.6 percent in July-September, in a second straight quarterly decline that returned the country to recession.

A 24.1 percent plunge in private residential investment from a year earlier failed to offset a modest recovery in exports and a 1.5 percent increase in household spending.

Most economists had forecast that the world’s third-biggest economy would expand at about a 2 percent pace. The negative growth figure was much lower than expected and makes it very likely Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will delay implementation of a sales tax hike planned for October 2015.

The economy contracted 7.1 percent in April-June after the national sales tax was raised to 8 percent from 5 percent. The decline in July-September represented a 0.4 percent decrease from the previous quarter.

Nigerian army takes back Chibok

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – The Nigerian army has regained control of Chibok, the northeastern town where more than 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Islamic extremists more than six months ago, said army officials.

The army wrested back control of Chibok on Saturday, about 48 hours after it had been captured by the Islamic militants of Boko Haram, Nigerian army spokesman Brigadier General Olajide Olaleye told the Associated Press.

He encouraged Chibok residents to return to their homes.

Colombia seeking abducted general

BOGOTA, Colombia – Authorities in Colombia have mounted a massive search and rescue operation for an army general who was apparently taken captive by leftist rebels.

Gen. Ruben Dario Alzate and two civilians were taken hostage Sunday afternoon while traveling by motorboat along a remote river in western Colombia to survey an energy project. A fourth soldier managed to flee and reported that the captors were members of the 34th front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

If confirmed, it would be the first time in a half-century of conflict that the rebels have taken an army general hostage, Colombian media is reporting. It also comes as frustration with two-year-old peace talks between the rebels and the government is building due to an apparent refusal by the guerrillas to wind down attacks in areas where they remain dominant.

President Juan Manuel Santos immediately ordered the top military commander and his defense minister to travel to the western capital of Quibdo to oversee the rescue operation.