News About Modern Day Pirates Today 19-NOV-09 en-us Brussels (AFP) Nov 9, 2009 - Somali pirates have launched their deepest attack into the Indian Ocean, firing rocket propelled grenades at a Hong Kong-flagged oil tanker, the European Union anti-piracy mission said Monday.]]> Beijing (AFP) Nov 6, 2009 - China on Friday opened a two-day international conference on efforts to protect shipping in the Gulf of Aden from Somali pirates, the defence ministry said.]]> Mogadishu (AFP) Nov 1, 2009 - Two sailors were killed in an exchange of fire off the northeast coast of Somalia on Sunday, after apparently trying to attack a Norwegian warship, Somali officials and an EU naval commander said. ]]> Brussels (AFP) Nov 1, 2009 - A Norwegian warship inspecting fishing boats off the coast of Somalia for suspected pirate activity was caught in heavy gunfire in the early hours of Sunday, a European Union naval commander said.]]> Beijing (AFP) Oct 29, 2009 - China will deploy a fresh naval convoy to the Gulf of Aden to protect vessels from Somali pirates, state media said Thursday, just 10 days after a Chinese cargo ship was hijacked by armed bandits.]]> Valletta (AFP) Oct 29, 2009 - Arctic Sea, the cargo ship at the centre of an international piracy mystery, is free of radioactive materials and has been cleared to enter Malta's main harbour, Maltese authorities said Thursday.]]> Brussels (AFP) Oct 28, 2009 - European Union warships have captured seven suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia after two fast boats attacked a French fishing vessel, the EU's naval force said Wednesday.]]> Tokyo (AFP) Oct 27, 2009 - Japan may send a naval refuelling mission now backing the NATO-led Afghan campaign to support anti-piracy efforts off Somalia next year, the defence minister said Tuesday.]]> Nairobi (AFP) Oct 22, 2009 - Attempts to curb Somali piracy by deploying warships or resuscitating the central government are doomed, and efforts should focus on buttressing local players in pirate hubs, according to a new report.]]> Nairobi (AFP) Oct 22, 2009 - Pirates captured a Panamanian-flagged ship with 26 crew off the East Africa coast on Thursday and fired rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons at an Italian ship, which escaped.]]>