Around the World: Oman

Dutch nab pirates

The Dutch navy captured 13 pirates off the coast of Oman after they attacked a merchant ship, the Defense Ministry said yesterday. Armed pirates on speedboats tried to board the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged BBC Togo, but were repelled after firing on the vessel. Ministry spokesman Robin Middel said "it didn't go easily for the pirates" because the BBC Togo had taken precautions such as barring stairwells with barbed wire.

(China Daily 12/04/2009 page12)