In their latest attack, Somali pirates have seized a 17,000-ton Danish cargo ship, the Maersk Alabama, in the Gulf of Aden. According to U.S. officials, the ship is U.S.-operated and is carrying some 21 Americans. It's the sixth vessel to be seized in just a week in the region. While an effort by foreign navies to more thoroughly police the waters around the region has reduced pirate attacks recently, the hijacking is a reminder that there are still frequent attempts by criminals to take over ships in the area. The pirates typically demand heavy ransoms in exchange for the vessels.
Read it at MSNBC
