Somali pirates who hijacked Saudi oil super-tanker Sirius Star yesterday demanded $25 million (€19.9m) in ransom and set a 10-day deadline amid mounting calls for tougher action on sea bandits.

The fire safety system on new Russian nuclear-powered submarine malfunctioned on a test run in the Sea of Japan, spewing chemicals that killed at least 20 people and injured 21 others, officials said today.

The Russian Navy successfully test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile today, officials said.