World Briefs

MOMBASA, Kenya – Somali pirates captured four ships and took more than 60 crew members hostage in a brazen hijacking spree, while the American captain freed from their grip planned to reunite with his crew and fly home Wednesday to the United States.

Pirates have vowed revenge for the deaths of three colleagues at the hands of U.S. snipers rescuing Capt. Richard Phillips, as well as for two others slain by French forces in a separate rescue last week.

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea vowed Tuesday to restart its nuclear reactor and to boycott international disarmament talks for good in retaliation for the U.N. Security Council's condemnation of its rocket launch.

Meanwhile, the Obama House called on the reclusive communist nation Tuesday to "cease its provocative threats" and respect the international community's will.

Presidential press secretary Robert Gibbs said Pyongyang's vow to restart its nuclear reactor and boycott international disarmament talks is "a serious step in the wrong direction."

SAO PAULO – Police say a wad of cash stuffed in a woman's bra saved her life during a shootout in northeastern Brazil. Salvador city police spokesman Vicente de Paula says 58-year-old Ivonete Pereira was a passenger on the bus that two gunmen held up on Saturday.

When a bullet struck the left side of Oliveira's chest, the 150 reals (about $70) worth of bills that Oliveira hid inside her bra slowed the bullet enough to prevent it from entering her heart and killing her instantly.

MEXICO CITY – Anahí Beltrán Cabrera was arrested guarding an arsenal that included an anti-aircraft machine gun — the first weapon of its kind seized in Mexico. The arsenal belonged to a group linked to the powerful Beltran Leyva drug cartel, federal police coordinator Gen. Rodolfo Cruz said. It also included ammunition, five rifles, a grenade and part of a grenade launcher.

HAVANA – Fidel Castro said Tuesday the Obama administration's softening of sanctions is "positive although minimal," and criticized it for leaving in place the embargo that bars most trade and travel between the two countries.

The House announced Monday that Americans will now be able to make unlimited transfers of money and visits to relatives in Cuba. Under Bush administration rules, Cuban-Americans were eligible to travel here only every three years and send up to $300 to relatives every three months.