In brief: Islamic State group claims it has Norwegian, Chinese men as hostages

CAIRO – The Islamic State group on Wednesday claimed to be holding a Norwegian man and a Chinese consultant hostage and demanded ransom for their release.

The extremist group posted pictures of the two men wearing yellow prison outfits in the latest issue of its online magazine Dabiq. It identifies the Norwegian man as Ole Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad, 48, from Oslo, and the Chinese man as Fan Jinghui, 50, a freelance consultant from Beijing.

It does not say when or where the two were captured.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg confirmed that one of the hostages was a Norwegian man captured at the end of January.

Chinese officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Trinidad and Tobago gets new premier

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – A new prime minister took office Wednesday in Trinidad and Tobago after the previous ruling party was voted out in general elections.

David Rowley was sworn in during a brief ceremony in the Caribbean country’s capital, Port-of-Spain. His People’s National Movement won 23 seats in the 41-member House of Representatives in Monday’s vote, ousting a coalition led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Accused secret agent takes plea

NEW YORK – A Texas man who prosecutors say was a secret agent who stole technology for the Russian military has pleaded guilty to federal charges in New York.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said Alexander Fishenko pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges, including acting as an agent of the Russian government in the United States.

Prosecutors say the 49-year-old led a conspiracy to obtain microelectronics and export the goods to Russia. The devices are commonly used in missile guidance systems, detonation triggers and radar systems.