Pirates Step Up Threats Against British Couple

Somali pirates stepped up their threats yesterday against a British couple kidnapped on their yacht 16 days ago, saying they would be “punished” unless the commanders of a German warship allowed seven fellow pirates go free. Paul and Rachel Chandler, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, are being held in a village outside Harardhere, 180 miles north of Mogadishu, the Somali capital, pirate sources said.