matsushima has denied the accusation. she says the fans were printed with information that would have been of interest to voters. >> translator: it's understandable that they had to resign. i want ministers to be scandal free. more women are being promoted in the political world, and other areas. but only those with proper ability and experience should take important posts. >> translator: i'd hoped that the appointments of female ministers would prompt more women to advance in society, so i'm disappointed. i plan to return to work soon. i was hoping the ministers would help create a better working environment for women. >> prime minister abe has confirmed the resignation of the two ministers in his cabinet. abe spoke to reporters shortly after they notified him they would step down. >> translator: as prime minister, i am responsible for appointing the two ministers. i apologize to the japanese public for causing this situation. >> abe said there should be no delays in political process. he said there are a number of chall

abe appointed yuko obuchi and midori matsushima last month when he reshuffled his cabinet. they were among five women he appointed. but the ministers quit amid questions over their political activities. the prime minister said he is responsible for appointing them and would quickly choose replacements to avoid slowing down the government. abe is hoping to refocus attention on work related to his policy goals. he wants to pass bills aimed at revitalizing local economies and women's advancement. he regards them as the top priorities of his administration. but the head of the opposition party says that abe should take responsibility for the quick departures. executives of seven opposition parties are going to question abe about the issue and pushing for a diet debate about the scandals that led to the resignations. >>> officials at the world health organization have declared nigeria free of the ebola virus. they described it as a spectacular success story. officials say there have been no new cases reported in 42 days. that's twice the maximum incubation period. an infected ma

the trade and industry minister yuko obuchi, and justice minister midori matsushima, stepped down within hours of each other. >>> indonesia's joko widodo has been sworn in as president of the world's third largest democracy. he's the first president not to belong to the established military political elite linked to the former prime minister. in his speech, he spoke of reconciliation and national unity and promised to maintain what he called the country's free and active foreign policy. >>> the second child of britain's prince william and his wife kate is due to be born in april. the duke and duchess announced last month that the couple were expecting a baby, but no date was disclosed. kate hasn't been seen in public for more than two months as she has been suffering from acute morning sickness. the palace say her health is steadily improving. >>> could the balance of power in the battle for the northern syrian town of kobane be about to change? after weeks of saying it wouldn't, turkey now says it will allow safe passage for iraqi kurdish peshmerga fighters to join the syrian kurds defe