Pirates free Polish, Russian crew taken from cargo ship off NigeriaMay 14, 2013 - 14:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Pirates have released five Polish and Russian crew members they kidnapped from a cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria last month, the vessel's management company said, according to Reuters. Piracy is increasing in the west Africa's Gulf of Guinea, an important exporting region for oil, cocoa and metals, and insecurity is driving up shipping costs. The hostages were taken when the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged MV City of Xiamen container ship was attacked late on April 25 about 100 miles off Nigeria's coast. "Despite difficult conditions while in captivity, they are in good health. They already returned to their own countries and reunited with their families," Sunship Schiffahrtskontor KG, the ship's German operator, said in a statement. The firm did not say if a ransom was paid but this has been the case in the past. The International Maritime Bureau had said 14 heavily armed pirates attacked the container ship, breaching its citadel - a strong room designed to protect the crew from attack. Naval patrols and the presence of armed guards aboard merchant vessels have helped reduce piracy off Somalia on Africa's eastern coast but international navies are not engaged in counter-piracy missions off Nigeria. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |