Somali pirates free second Yemeni ship without ransom

SANAA - Somali pirates have released a second Yemeni fishing ship without ransom, more than two weeks after they hijacked the two ships in the Gulf of Aden, the commander of Yemen’s coast guard force said in remarks published Friday.

Egyptian ship hijacked off Somali coast

CAIRO - An Egyptian ship with a crew of 28 was seized off the Somali Coast, an Egyptian official said Thursday.

EU naval mission thwarts pirate attack off Somalia

ATHENS - A European Union (EU) naval mission has thwarted an attempt by pirates to hijack a Greek tanker off the Somalian coast, the Greek merchant marine ministry said Friday.

Malaysian chopper foils pirate attack on Indian tanker

KUALA LUMPUR - A Malaysian helicopter Thursday foiled an attempt by a group of armed pirates to board an Indian oil tanker in the troubled Gulf of Aden off Somalia’s coast.

Spain refuses to receive Guantanamo prisoners

MADRID - Spain has refused to accept any inmate from the Guantánamo prison, saying that would create serious legal problems.

Spain rules out more troops for Afghanistan

MADRID - Spain has ruled out more troops for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) fighting the Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan but said it was considering sending peacekeepers to war-ravaged Somalia.

The World in 2008: A year of extremes (Yearender-8)

BERLIN - The year 2008 can be called a year of extremes: it saw huge trauma, beginning in the shadow of the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto just days earlier and ending with a global market crisis that has brought despair to millions across the world. Yet the worst is still to come.

German Navy foils pirate attack on Egyptian ship

KUALA LUMPUR - A German warship and helicopter Thursday succeeded in foiling an attempt by pirates to board an Egyptian bulk carrier travelling in the troubled Gulf of Aden off Somalia’s coast.

Japan considers joining fight against Somali pirates

TOKYO - Japan is considering sending warships to the Gulf of Aden to join international efforts to combat piracy in the region, officials said Thursday.

Johnny Depp coped with fame by drinking

LONDON - Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp has opened up about his struggle with fame.

‘The Pirates of the Caribbean’ star has told a medical magazine that he coped with his celebrity status only by taking swigs and killing the bottle, reports mirror.co.uk.

German navy joins fight against Somalia pirates

DJIBOUTI - A German Navy frigate left its base in Djibouti Tuesday to join the European Union (EU’s) anti-piracy mission off Somalia.