http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorThu, 20 Nov 2008 2:35:20 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/43010/somali-pirates-could-force-shipping-detours.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe pirates who seized the Sirius Star have reportedly brought their massive prize to anchor off the coast of Somalia, the BBC reports. The Saudi oil tanker’s entire 25-person crew is believed to be safe, but the consequences for international shipping may be far-reaching, Roger Middleton writes in the Times of London.http://www.newser.com/story/43010/somali-pirates-could-force-shipping-detours.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 18 Nov 2008 10:18:30 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/42989/how-the-us-made-somalia-a-terrorist-haven.html?refid=rss_all_defaultIraq and Afghanistan loom largest among the fiascos undertaken in the name of a "war on terror," Martin Fletcher writes in the Times of London, but there has been a third front in that offensive: Somalia. After 15 years of anarchy, the US helped destroy the country's first ever stable government, paving the way for "virulently anti-Western jihadists" who are now taking over. Fletcher calls it the "forgotten debacle" that has provided al-Qaeda with a new base.http://www.newser.com/story/42989/how-the-us-made-somalia-a-terrorist-haven.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 18 Nov 2008 7:33:12 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/42916/pirates-hijack-saudi-oil-tanker.html?refid=rss_all_defaultPirates flying the Liberian flag hijacked a Saudi Arabian oil tanker today, the BBC reports. The Sirius Star is now bound for the port of Eyl, Somalia, a common destination for pirates to unload their booty. Currently holding its full load of 2 million barrels, the Sirius Star contains one-quarter of Saudi Arabia’s daily oil output. "It's the largest ship that we've seen pirated," said a US Navy spokesman.http://www.newser.com/story/42916/pirates-hijack-saudi-oil-tanker.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 17 Nov 2008 11:18:16 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/42733/africa-may-force-obamas-military-hand.html?refid=rss_all_defaultAs Barack Obama prepares to become America’s new president, the dire situation in Africa may upend his anticipated plans to extract the US from overseas military commitments, the Economist writes. While Americans may be wary of bigger burdens oversees, “history does not take a holiday just because America needs a breather," notes the Economist .http://www.newser.com/story/42733/africa-may-force-obamas-military-hand.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 14 Nov 2008 13:50:19 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/42728/somali-pirates-could-grinch-your-christmas.html?refid=rss_all_defaultAttacks by Somali pirates have major shippers considering changing routes that run through the Suez Canal, Reuters reports, a move would add weeks to the time it takes ships to get to Europe from Asia and the Middle East. “It will really hit home when consumers in the West find they haven't got their Nintendo gifts this Christmas,” a trade-group rep said.http://www.newser.com/story/42728/somali-pirates-could-grinch-your-christmas.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 14 Nov 2008 13:32:01 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/42491/islamists-take-somalian-port-near-capital.html?refid=rss_all_defaultIslamist rebels in Somalia captured the port city of Merka today as they continue to move in on Mogadishu, the weak transitional government’s stronghold, the New York Times reports. Hundreds of militants entered Merka, unopposed because government forces had fled the city the previous night. After weeks of steady advances, the al-Shabab militia of the Islamic Courts Union now controls large portions of the country.http://www.newser.com/story/42491/islamists-take-somalian-port-near-capital.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 12 Nov 2008 10:45:51 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/42217/singer-makeba-dies-after-concert.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba, known to many as “Mama Africa,” died today of an apparent heart attack, the New York Times reports. Makeba, who was 76, was exiled from South Africa in 1960. Her music was also banned from her home country in 1976 after she spoke out against apartheid at the UN. She collapsed early this morning as she left the stage following a concert in Italy.http://www.newser.com/story/42217/singer-makeba-dies-after-concert.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 10 Nov 2008 4:28:38 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/41818/tomorrows-obama-day-in-kenya.html?refid=rss_all_defaultKenya has declared tomorrow a national holiday to honor Barack Obama’s presidential victory, the BBC reports. “We the Kenyan people are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots,” President Mwai Kibaki said. Obama’s father was Kenyan; his step-grandmother danced and cheered outside her home after the family pulled an Election-Day all-nighter. Meanwhile, people across the country took to the streets to celebrate.http://www.newser.com/story/41818/tomorrows-obama-day-in-kenya.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 05 Nov 2008 6:35:56 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/41770/un-boss-jets-to-congo-amid-new-fighting.html?refid=rss_all_defaultUN chief Ban Ki-Moon is traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo to press for a peace deal just as new fighting breaks out, the Guardian reports. The Congolese government has rejected peace talks with the rebels, who have vowed to attack the provincial capital of Goma and continue a march across the nation. New fighting erupted between rebels led by Laurent Nkunda and Hutu militias, despite a week-old ceasefire.http://www.newser.com/story/41770/un-boss-jets-to-congo-amid-new-fighting.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 04 Nov 2008 21:16:37 CST