Somali pirates take 21 Filipino sailors hostageFebruary 10, 2012 - 15:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Twenty-one Filipino sailors on board a ship off the coast of Yemen have been taken hostage by Somali pirates, Australia Network News reported. Philippines officials are working with authorities in Bahrain to help resolve the latest abduction by Somali pirates. The Filipino sailors were aboard the Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, MV Free Goddess, when Somali pirates boarded the vessel near Yemen's Socotra islands. The captors are yet to make a ransom demand. There are reportedly almost 50 Filipino sailors on board four vessels currently held by Somali pirates. The Philippines has campaigned globally for maritime safety, particularly in the Gulf of Aden, as Filipinos make up an estimated one-third of sailors around the world. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Welcome to CaseKey 2024. Byblos Bank Armenia firmly stands by future innovators Strategic business cases, invaluable experience, innovative approaches and more than 25 events are in store for the participants of CaseKey 2024. Macron honors Charles Aznavour on 100th anniversary French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the memory of French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour. Blinken says U.S. reviewing a number of aid requests from Armenia He said the U.S. is reviewing the requests to determine what more it can do to increase its assistance to Armenia. At least 2 CSTO members participated in preparing 44-day war against Armenia – PM Nikol Pashinyan has declared that at least two CSTO member countries participated in preparations for the 44-day war against Armenia. |