UK installs new hotlines to EU allies

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt revealed Wednesday he has installed new hotlines to key EU allies since taking office -- but mostly uses text and WhatsApp to communicate with global counterparts.

"Foreign ministers around the world communicate a lot by text and WhatsApp. That's the way a lot of diplomacy is done these days. That was a bit of a surprise to me," said Hunt, who took office in July.

"But there are certain conversations that it's wiser to have on a secure line. That's why we're going to expand the number of people we can talk to in that way."
He has added Japan, France and Germany, saying: "It allows for the strengthening of important alliances."