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31 Jan 2010 11:32

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World: Brits captured by Somalian pirates: We desperately need help

  • The pirates want $7 million. The British government won’t pay. Despite pleading from Paul and Rachel Chandler, they’re still not getting any help. Part of it is a longstanding British policy not to play nice with pirates. As a result, they’ve been captured since October. “Please help us, these people are not treating us well,” Rachel Chandler said in a video filmed by AFP. “I’m old, I’m 56 and my husband is 60 years old. We need to be together because we have not much time left.” Yikes. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

02 Jan 2010 10:45

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World: Crazy guy remembers the Prophet Mohammed cartoon controversy

  • I locked myself in our safe room and alerted the police. He tried to smash the entrance door with an axe, but he didn’t manage.
  • Cartoonist Kurt Westergaard • Describing the attempt his life by a Somali man over a cartoon he drew a few years ago showing the Prophet Mohammed. The guy, who we can’t name due to Danish law, reportedly freaked out over the 2005 incident and ended up getting himself shot twice in the process. He denies any wrongdoing, but doesn’t deny being at the scene. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Dec 2009 09:48

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World: A suicide bomber in Somalia shows the government’s fragility

  • It proves the aggressive power [the insurgents have], and their determination to take over this country. They can easily go at the heart of the system. This will create a lot of panic for all the supporters of the government.
  • Somali diplomat Mohammed Aden • On a suicide bombing in Somalia, a mostly lawless country barring a handful of blocks in the capital of Mogadishu. Guess where the suicide bombing occurred. The attack killed at least 10, including three government ministers. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Nov 2009 09:34

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U.S., World: Like an elephant, a ship captured by Somali pirates never forgets

  • Due to Maersk Alabama following maritime industry’s best practices such as embarking security teams, the ship was able to prevent being successfully attacked by pirates. This is a great example of how merchant mariners can take pro-active action to prevent being attacked.
  • Central Command director Vice Adm. Bill Gortney • Exclaiming his pure joy that the Maersk Alabama didn’t get ganked by Somali pirates a second time. The difference this time? The ship had a security staff that could create ear-piercing sounds. And guns. Can’t forget the guns. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Oct 2009 20:25

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World: Anyone got a lot of money sitting around to give to some pirates?

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Sep 2009 11:20

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World: Somalia’s making Islamist insurgents part of the government

Because, really, if you’re the leader of a fairly lawless country, you probably want scary-looking guys like this on your side. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

02 Jun 2009 11:12

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U.S., World: Where did that money go, since the pirates didn’t steal it?

  • $30,000 was found missing after the pirate attack of the Maersk Alabama
  • one pirate survived when the rescue, and he was captured source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

09 May 2009 15:49

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U.S.: Obama hangs with pirate-rescued Captain Richard Phillips

Between him and Captain Sully (the one who saved the plane in the Hudson Bay), it’s turning out to be a good year to be a captain. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

09 May 2009 08:32

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World: Somali pirates are starting to rethink this piracy thing

  • Man, these Islamic guys want to cut my hands off. Maybe it’s time for a change.
  • Abshir Boyah • A Somali pirate boss who admits to 25 ship-hijackings in his time, on the thing that’s getting him to change his mind a little bit – Islamic sheiks who seem set against piracy. They’re not the only ones – local governments are starting to turn against piracy, too – but they’re the most influential. Plus, there’s only so many butt-kickings the pirates can get from the U.S. before it starts to sink in. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Apr 2009 10:18

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U.S., World: The U.S. doesn’t deal with pirate prosecutions very often

  • 1885 the time the last major case was tried source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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