Pirates Seize Tug with 16 Aboard

The Somali pirates have struck again, hitting a U.S.-owned, Italian-flagged tugboat with 16 crewmembers in the Gulf of Aden. Meanwhile, the hostage crisis involving American ship captain Richard Phillips is in its fourth day. While Phillips' ship, the Maersk Alabama, has arrived safely in a Kenyan port, U.S. warships preventing more pirates from coming to the aid of those guarding Phillips on a lifeboat, hundreds of miles from land. In a profile, The New York Times reports that “Phillips is a consummate regular guy who worships Boston sports teams, particularly the Celtics, shoots hoops at the Y.M.C.A., plays golf with retirees and faithfully picks up muffins for Sunday brunch with his family.”