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13 Apr 2009 08:32

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U.S., World: Should ship crews be armed against pirate uprisings?

  • Changes could be coming You might be wondering why, despite the long recent history of ships getting commandeered by pirates in the waters near Somalia, crews haven’t been armed. With this latest case involving the Maersk Alabama, expect some changes to happen – including a definition of terrorism stretched to include piracy, which would encourage on-board arms. source
  • Changes could be coming You might be wondering why, despite the long recent history of ships getting commandeered by pirates in the waters near Somalia, crews haven’t been armed. With this latest case involving the Maersk Alabama, expect some changes to happen – including a definition of terrorism stretched to include piracy, which would encourage on-board arms.
  • The argument against arms While this may seem to be a no-brainer to some, ship owners are very concerned that a failed attempt at stopping a pirate attack could lead to the death of the crew. Thus far, the pirates have been good at not harming the crews they overtake. Some say the real solution to the piracy problem is stronger maritime law enforcement of often-lawless waters. source

12 Apr 2009 14:01

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U.S., World: Yay! The captain is safe. (And most of his Somali captors are dead)

  • The U.S. Navy rescued him this morning. Capt. Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama, who was kidnapped in a failed pirate hijack, was spotted this morning by the Navy. In rescuing him from the little dinghy he was in, they killed three of the four pirates in the process. The fourth one is in custody. So yeah. Lesson of the day: If you’re going to take over a ship, make sure it isn’t an American one, OK? Karma will get you, duders. source

11 Apr 2009 10:43

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World: The Somali pirates’ often-banal home videos of pirated ships

Lax treatment of hostages, low-key approach – it’s bizarre to see a first-person glimpse of a pirate hijacking. source

09 Apr 2009 20:39

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U.S., World: FBI negotiator: The Somali pirates still have a bargaining chip

The FBI’s Jack Cloonan says kidnapping Capt. Richard Phillips, who is unharmed so far, could still benefit the pirates. source

09 Apr 2009 10:34

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U.S., World: America hasn’t had pirate issues since the days of swashbuckling

  • 200 years since their last crazy pirate attack source

08 Apr 2009 20:35

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U.S., World: Wow, that Somalia pirate story got really crazy quick

  • The dudes on the ship managed to fend off the Somali pirates and most got free easily. source
  • A U.S. military destroyer arrived to help the with that pesky Somali pirate problem. source

08 Apr 2009 08:46

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World: African pirates ransack yet another ship, this one American

  • 20 U.S. nationals are likely on the ship; it’s the 9th hijacking this week source
 

10 Jan 2009 18:16

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U.S.: Bush takes one last flight while he’s still president

George W. Bush, with his wife Laura, boards Air Force One. He has just ten days left in office. source