Pirates threaten revenge on U.S. and France

By Calvin Palmer
Somali pirates today threatened revenge on the United States and France for the deaths of fellow pirates after security forces from those two nations mounted rescue operations to free hostages.
“The French and the Americans will regret starting this killing,” Hussein, a pirate, told Reuters. “We do not kill, but take only ransom. We [...]

Navy safely rescues captain held by pirates after swift firefight

By Calvin Palmer
The American captain taken hostage by Somali pirates has been rescued by the U.S. Navy.
A senior U.S. intelligence official said hostage Richard Phillips was not hurt during a swift firefight with his captors off the Somali coast today.
Phillips, 53, of Underhill, Vermont, was safely transported to a Navy warship nearby.
Three of the Somali [...]

House blaze claims lives of two Houston firefighters

By Calvin Palmer
Two Houston firefighters were killed at a house fire in southeast Houston early today.
Houston Fire Department answered a call about a one-alarm house fire on Oak Vista just after midnight and initially fought the fire from inside the house, said District Chief Tommy Dowdy.
The fire appeared to be dying down when flames suddenly [...]

Body parts murder inquiry discovers man’s torso

By Calvin Palmer
Part of a man’s torso has been found by police investigating the discovery of human body parts scattered over two English counties.
Police sealed off  Gore Lane in Ware, Hertfordshire, yesterday after receiving a call from a member of the public.
A spokesman for Hertfordshire Police said part of a torso had been found, close [...]