UN Boosts Members' Powers to Fight Africa Piracy

(NEWSER) - Somali pirates holding an American ship captain hostage say they want a $2 million ransom and have threatened to kill him, Reuters and the AP report. The ransom demand followed an escape attempt by Richard Phillips, who attempted to swim for safety early this morning. Reports conflict on what happened next—either a pirate jumped in after him and hauled him back, or Phillips returned after one of the captors fired an automatic weapon. More»

Policing them where they hold their prey is more effective than ocean patrols

(NEWSER) - The Somali pirates terrorizing shipping lanes are clever, Peter Fromuth writes in the Washington Post, but their biggest advantages are those pirates have enjoyed throughout history: “big seas, many prey, and few protectors.” There are too many targets for warships to mount effective patrols on open waters. Instead, the UN should blockade the handful of deep-water ports key to pirate operations. More»

Discount from $25M after biggest maritime hijacking in history

(NEWSER) - After the biggest hijacking in maritime history, Somali pirates have cut their ransom demand for a Saudi supertanker from $25 million to $15 million, Reuters reports. The Sirius Star, carrying $100 million in oil and 25 international crew members, was nabbed southeast of Kenya and has been moved to 62 miles off central Somalia after an Islamist militia declared its intention to confront the pirates. More»

Three children were among those held hostage

(NEWSER) - The Danish family held hostage by Somali pirates since February has been released and is safe. Jan Quist Johansen, his wife, their three children between the ages of 12 and 16, and two adult crew members are in “relatively good condition,” according to Denmark’s foreign ministry and the BBC , and will return home soon. Soldiers from the Puntland State of Somalia were killed in March in a failed rescue attempt, and a $3 million ransom was ultimately paid for the family’s release. More»

UN agencies poised to add 'humanitarian catastrophe' label

(NEWSER) - Drought and food shortages have gotten so bad in southern Somalia that the UN is almost certain to upgrade the situation from a “humanitarian emergency” to a “famine/humanitarian catastrophe,” sources tell the Telegraph . “It’s 99% certain that tomorrow we will have to declare a full phase-five famine situation,” says one official. More»