Oil tanker seized by pirates

A giant Saudi oil tanker seized by pirates in the Indian Ocean is nearing the coast of Somalia. The Sirius Star is the biggest tanker ever to be hijacked, with a cargo of 2m barrels - a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily output - worth more than $100m. The vessel was captured in what the navy called an "unprecedented" attack 450 nautical miles (830km) off the Kenyan coast on Saturday. Its international crew of 25, including two Britons, is said to be safe. The ship's operator, Vela International, said a response team had been mobilised to work towards ensuring the safe release of vessel and crew.