Work and other commitments have left me slow at posting updates, but here’s the lowdown from around the globe:
–Twenty-one persons taken hostage in the southern Philippines have been found dead. Authorities blamed political rivalry for the murder of the 13 women and 8 men.
–A 12-year-old girl is allegedly among those hostages being held by Somali pirates. The girl – identified by a former Spanish hostage who was released after being held on another boat – is the daughter of Ukrainian crew members aboard the Ariana, one of several vessels captured by pirates in recent weeks.
–A deal is said to be close to being made that would secure the release of Gilad Shalit from his Hamas captors. Shalit, an Israeli soldier, was seized three years ago. His captors have demanded freedom for more than 400 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for his release.
–The remains of a Briton taken hostage in Lebanon decades ago have been identified. Alec Collett, a UN employee, was abducted during the civil war by Palestinian guerrillas. Human remains were found last week at an excavation site in an area notorious for banditry and kidnapping.
–Pope Benedict XVI has received a helmet from a group of motorcyclists who rode to Rome to highlight the plight of hostages in Colombia. The Pope welcomed the riders, who included journalist Herbin Hoyos, and said he would pray for the release of all hostages.
