The Russian operator of a Maltese-registered, Finnish-chartered ship which disappeared late last month after passing through the Dover Strait between France and Britian believes the vessel was hijacked.
The Russian Navy has joined the search for a missing ship last seen in the English Channel in July as maritime experts debated the possible causes of the mysterious disappearance of the Algeria-bound cargo vessel.
Somali pirates released a German container ship held captive for four months along with its 24 crew members after a ransom of some $2.7 million was paid, officials say. A Malaysian tugboat and its crew of 11 have also been freed.
The situation in Somalia seems getting worse and worse, with the anarchy turning into a magnet for international jihadists and the power struggles of neighouring states. But how deeply should the international community get involved?
Somalia's militant al Shabaab group on Monday raided the offices of three United Nations agencies operating in the Horn of Africa nation, after banning their activities and claiming that they were "enemies of Islam and Muslims".
Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke has said his government may allow France to send a team of commandos to free the two French hostages taken in Mogadishu last week.
Two French agents held by rebels in Somalia will be tried soon under Islamic sharia law, an official of the radical Shabaab group said, as a Somali minister told FRANCE 24 that the pair had been taken out of Mogadishu.
Two French security consultants held hostage in Somalia are being held by two different Islamist militant groups. In an interview with FRANCE 24, Minister of Social Affairs Mohammad Ali Ibrahim said the hostages were in good health.
Two French security consultants being held hostage in Somalia have been separated and are being held by two different militant groups, Somali officials say.
The French foreign ministry has identified two foreigners abducted in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Tuesday as French security advisers on a mission to train Somali government forces.
