A round-up of today's world news stories in brief
EU force arrests piracy suspects
LONDON – An EU counter-piracy force arrested seven suspected pirates after a French fishing boat was attacked in the Indian Ocean, it said yesterday.
Pirates in two skiffs opened fire on the French vessel on Tuesday, EU Navfor said.
The pirates broke off their attack after security guards on board the French boat fired warning shots.
Meanwhile, Somali pirates holding two Britons captive aboard a yacht off the coast of the Horn of Africa nation warned Britain not to try to rescue the couple.
The pirates seized the vessel last Friday and have taken it to the Somali coast with a view to demanding a ransom. – (Reuters)
Costs cuts played roll in air crash
LONDON – British government cost cuts played a major role in a fatal 2006 military aircraft crash, an inquiry found yesterday.
The inquiry also said a safety review led by the aircraft’s manufacturer, BAE Systems, failed to properly assess fatal hazards, accusing it of “incompetence, complacency and cynicism”.
The crash in Afghanistan, in which a Nimrod MR2 reconnaissance aircraft caught fire and exploded minutes after midair refuelling, killed all 14 on board. – (Reuters)
Public hearings on Iraq in November
LONDON – Public hearings in the Iraq war inquiry will begin next month, it was announced yesterday.
The first public hearings will take place on November 24th at the QEII conference centre near the British Houses of Parliament.
All witnesses called, including ministers and senior military officers, will be expected to give live evidence. – (PA)