Today's other stories in brief
Somali pirates release nine seafarers
Somali pirates have freed nine Indian and Bangladeshi seafarers after businessmen and clan elders in the countrys semi-autonomous northern Puntland region negotiated their release, residents said yesterday.
The sailors were dropped off late on Saturday in Puntland’s capital Garowe. It was not immediately clear which vessel they came from, or whether any ransom was paid.
Somali sea gangs have been holding at least 13 ships and more than 230 crew hostage.
“I can’t tell them apart, but they are from India and Bangladesh,” said Ali Said, a driver hired by the gunmen to take the former captives to Garowe from Eyl, a pirate stronghold. – (Reuters)
US and Russia in arms treaty talks
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said yesterday he hoped to strike a new deal for arms cuts with the United States by next month. “I hope that, as we agreed earlier . . . we can finalise the treaty by December,” he said after talks with President Barack Obama in Singapore.
The two leaders have committed themselves to a replacement for their Start-I pact, which expires on December 5th, as part of their efforts to “reset” thorny relations. They view the new treaty as important for global strategic stability. – (Reuters)
Migrants missing off Algerian coast
ALGIERS – Algerian coastguards recovered the corpses of two migrants while a surveillance aircraft and a helicopter search for 11 others who were still missing, official news agency APS reported yesterday.
The 13 were among a group of 21 migrants trying to reach Europe when their two boats capsized yesterday.
The coastguards rescued one migrant while seven others managed to swim ashore. Twenty other migrants were rescued late on Saturday near the eastern city of Annaba. – (Reuters)
Free Rihanna show on internet
One of the biggest selling women artists in the world, the Barbadian singer Rihanna, will have her comeback show streamed live for free on the internet tonight.
It is the singer's first public appearance since she was brutally assaulted by her ex-boyfriend, the singer Chris Brown, in February. Rihanna's last album, Good Girl Gone Bad, sold over seven million copies worldwide and was a particular hit in Ireland. Tonight's show, at a secret location in London, will be streamed live from 8pm at www.nokia.com/rihanna.
'Nightstalker' suspect arrested
Detectives hunting the “nightstalker” – one of Britain’s most wanted serial rapists – yesterday arrested a 52-year-old man.
The Metropolitan Police launched Operation Minstead to investigate more than 100 attacks on the elderly in the south London area dating back to the 1990s.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “We can confirm a 52-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of this morning . . .” He is in custody at a London police station. – (PA)