Somali teen charged with piracy in New York

Per BBC, a Somali teenager and suspected pirate detained by American forces after the rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips has appeared in a New York federal court today.

The judge shut the public out of the proceedings until he had time to decide whether Abde Wale Abdul Kadhir Muse would be tried as juvenile or an adult.

The trial was made accessible to public after the judge concluded that the suspect would be tried as an adult.

The Somali teen will be the first criminal to face piracy charges in the United States in over 100 years, US media reports say according to BBC NEWS.

Twitter users raise some interesting questions:

1. 
   @ericanurnberg (Jerusalem) Why would we want bring the captured teen Somali Pirate to New York to face trial??? Ridiculous! http://tinyurl.com/dbdz6g 17 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   @kahenya (Nairobi, Kenya) How to get free entry into the US and a free Visa... Just be a pirate. Guaranteed to get you in... http://tinyurl.com/cfghfz 21 Apr 2009 from TwitterFox
3. 
   @ngmaroa (Kenya) interesting the pirate's mother did not assist Pres. Obama solve the pirate stand off amicably. He should face the due process of law. 21 Apr 2009 from web

Others comment on the demeanor of the captured teen:

1. 
   @bedheadchicken (Undisclosed) wants to know why the Somali pirate is so happy. the guy is adorable! 21 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   @carolynreisapr (Orlando, Florida) Does the Somali pirate arraigned in NYC today think he's going to jail or Disney World? Hard to tell from the smile on his face. 21 Apr 2009 from web
3. 
   @KPappsmear (Chicago, IL) Dude that Somali pirate was cheesing hard as HELL as they were walking him in to prison ..... wonder what he was thinking about 21 Apr 2009 from web

Somali teen charged with piracy in New York

U.S. cargo ship escapes pirate attack

Per CNN.com, a U.S. flagged cargo ship, the Liberty Sun, was attacked by Somalian pirates Tuesday as it headed for Mombasa, Kenya. The ship, which is carrying U.S. food and aid for Africans, has 20 Americans on board. The pirates fired automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades at the vessel, which sustained damage but was not overtaken by the pirates.

Reaction from the Twitterverse indicates shock:

1. 
   JohnSimonds (North Carolina) liberty sun escapes pirate attack. US Ships 2, Pirates 0 15 Apr 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   smallmadeline (Maryland) what is up with all the US pirate attack? "yo ho ho and a bottle of rum". mmmmm... rum. 15 Apr 2009 from web
3. 
   pastortai (Austin, Texas) Another Pirate attack? C'mon guys that is sooooo 18th Century 15 Apr 2009 from mobile web
4. 
   KirstenParagona (Ipswich, Maryland) RT @andersoncooper: Morning Buzz: Another pirate attack on a US Ship! http://tinyurl.com/dd27rn -there has 2 b a way 2 stop this! 15 Apr 2009 from twhirl
5. 
   shady_j (Baltimore, Maryland) omg ANOTHER pirate attack tho? what year are we in again? 15 Apr 2009 from mobile web
6. 
   LeaZen (North Carolina) another pirate attack last night? I can't keep up.. 15 Apr 2009 from web

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U.S. cargo ship escapes pirate attack

Captain held hostage by pirates freed

Per news.yahoo.com, Captain Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama who has been held hostage since Wednesday, when Somalian pirates seized a U.S. ship, was freed today.

According to Yahoo News, "a U.S. Navy operation killed three of the four Somali pirates who had been holding him on a lifeboat off the coast of Africa, a senior U.S. intelligence official said."

Twitterers are a-buzz at the news of Captain Phillips' release.

1. 
   bigdaddydk (Qatar) Maersk Alabama captain free, 3 of 4 pirates dead. 4th in custody. http://tinyurl.com/dhhyvm
2. 
   joemcd RT @BreakingNews (Coamo, PR) 3 pirates were killed in operation to free Captain Phillips; 1 in custody. Phillips has not been injured, according to CNN.
3. 
   JCA747 (Manchester and New Castle, UK) Yea, Captain is free. See. it is Easter. Good triumphs evil every time. We never close.
4. 
   lanorth9 (Sunderlan, Northeast England)Praise the Lord! the American captain that was held hostage by Somalian pirates, is FREE!
5. 
   johncare (Tacloban Leyte, Phillipines) usa sea captain free and safe somali pirates killed. great news

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Captain held hostage by pirates freed

French hostage held by Somalian pirates killed

Per the Guardian, Florent Lemacon, a hostage on a yacht hijacked by Somalian pirates, was killed as a French military operation to free the yacht backfired. Four other hostages were freed including Lemacon's wife and three-year-old son.

Radio France Internationale is reporting that French fire may have actually killed the hostage by mistake. An autopsy should be able to tell for sure, according to RFI.

Twitterers express their feelings and frustrations with the way this situation is being handled.

1. 
   SmokeRH (Netherlands) US almost has no crew on non-military ships. Commercial ships are being attacked and crew killed/taken hostage often.
2. 
   WadeHM63 (Michigan) What is with the libtards? They say sending in SEALS is too violent, why kill the hostage? NOT THE HOSTAGE DUMMIES, THE PIRATES IF NEEDED!
3. 
   angusbatey @ToureX (Hertfordshire, UK) board and overpower pirates before they kill hostage. When retaking an occupied building at least there's a nextdoor to start from. in reply to ToureX
4. 
   kerimcinerney (Hervey Bay, QLD, Australia) Pirate hostage killed in front of son http://tinyurl.com/c3qpbc
5. 
   somaliapirates (Undisclosed) Did Bush Allow Pirate Attacks?: My friend responds to the previous post..... How do you stop the pirates. Bush c.. http://bit.ly/16n1p3

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International news outlets are reporting on this tragedy.

1. 
   WSJEurope (Europe) French Hostage Killed in Pirate Rescue Attempt: A hostage was killed when French navy commandos stormed a sailbo.. http://tinyurl.com/dkx7zv
2. 
   sphasiaone (Singapore) French yacht hostage killed http://tinyurl.com/d2hdln
3. 
   guardian (UK) [world] Hostage killed as French storm yacht held by pirates: • Four freed as two Somali pirates are kill.. http://tinyurl.com/dbrcyp

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French hostage held by Somalian pirates killed

Somalian pirates stop captain's escape

Per New York Times, Captain Richard Phillips who was taken hostage on Wednesday when Somailian pirates hijacked his container ship, the Maersk Alabama, attempted to escape today by jumping into the Indian Ocean from "their slow-moving lifeboat".

Captain Phillips remained in the water for a short period of time before the pirates "hauled him back on board," per the Times.

U.S. Twitterers responded with their prayers and thoughts.

1. 
   nomadderwhere (Indianapolis, Ind.) The captain obtained by Somalian pirates is a best friend's neighbor. Lesson: pirates are crazy and REAL...and the Kevin Bacon law applies. 10 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   jubchuqun (Undisclosed) The Somalian Pirates renigged on their prisoner exchange and kept the American Captain. Duh! They're Pirates! 09 Apr 2009 from TwitterFox
3. 
   bettynguyencnn (Atlanta, Ga.) A U.S. Captain held hostage by Somali pirates. He tries to escape but fails. What next - how should the U.S. respond? 10 Apr 2009 from web
4. 
   pw9r (Seattle, Wash.) Captain Phillips tries to escape Somali pirates is recaptured. Somalia has a black shadow of shame hanging over its head. 10 Apr 2009 from web
5. 
   FlashBack1968 (San Antonio, Texas) Please keep Captain Richard Phillips in prayer since he heroically put himself in harms way to save his crew. 10 Apr 2009 from web
6. 
   LaniThinksSo (New Orleans, La.) How can pirates call for back-up? Very scary. Prayers for Richard Phillips. 10 Apr 2009 from twitterrific

Somalian pirates stop captain's escape

U.S. crew regains control from Somali pirates

Per BBC, "The US crew of a ship hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia has retaken control of the vessel, according to Pentagon sources."

However, sources say the ship's Captain is still being detained by Somali pirates and Twitter users take note:

1. 
   felix85 (Ireland) A person aboard the vessel hijacked by pirates is telling The Associated Press that the ship's captain is still being held hostage. 08 Apr 2009 from twhirl
2. 
   caryprewitt (Austin, Teaxs) Looks like the pirates couldn't hold off the Americans. They may have the captain though... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7990566.stm 08 Apr 2009 from web

Twitter users continue to follow story as it unfolds:

1. 
   cmac322 (Washington, DC)Americans are fighting back against those somali pirates, yea! 08 Apr 2009 from txt
2. 
   franklogic (Texas) US crew drove off Somali pirates, that's what I'm talkin about, don't mess with the US. http://tinyurl.com/5vsjbd 08 Apr 2009 from web
3. 
   NewerDeal (Texas) Kick A USA!! Somali pirates hijack a U.S. ship. The hostages kick but and take it back. 08 Apr 2009 from Tweetie

U.S. crew regains control from Somali pirates

Somali Pirates Seize U.S. ship

Per BBC, Somali pirates have hijacked a ship flying the American flag, officials report the attack occurred last night with at least 20 US crew members now being held hostage.

The pirates have seized six vessels in the last week, including a British and Taiwanese ship.

The White House stated that they would be closely monitoring the situation and assessing a plan of action.

African and American Twitter users react to this bold act of piracy:

1. 
   robcrilly (Nairobi, Africa) sounds like the pirates have worked out how to beat the various flotillas of warships with new tactics 06 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   shoubhee ..(Seychelles, Africa) Somalian Pirates are now in the Seychelles water territory,,hijacking a fishing boats. 07 Apr 2009 from web
3. 
   arun4 (Muscat, Oman) This is called 'inviting trouble into your own waters'. Somali pirates hijack ship with 20 Americans aboard. http://bit.ly/zhc1i 08 Apr 2009 from web
4. 
   bannernews (New York, US) somalia pirates hijack yet another ship, u.s. flagged. amazing how the greatest minds in the world cant solve this 08 Apr 2009 from mobile web
5. 
   dillon69 (Plymouth, MA) NOW, maybe the Obama admin will something abt the Somalia pirates. 21 Am.s captured, incd a MMA grad. Abt time to stop them. No prisoners. 08 Apr 2009 from web
6. 
   LVBoilermaker (Las Vegas, US) How dumb are somalia pirates. "Um, didn't realize you soldiers were on board....we were just kidding...um...have a nice day" 08 Apr 2009 from web

Somali Pirates Seize U.S. ship

Somali pirates continue hijackings

Per Aljazeera.net Somali pirates seized at least four vessels in separate attacks in the Indian Ocean. According to Aljazeera.net, a British cargo ship, a French yacht, a Taiwanese ship and a Yemini tug have been hijacked off the coast of Somalia.

The hijacking of these vessels occurred within the last 48 hours. Twitter users had some colorful comments in response to the story.

1. 
   kenszo (Sydney) somalian pirates nabbed 5 ships in the last 48 hours, they really do seem to be enjoying themselves over there
2. 
   Paddy_Bear (Sri Lanka) I've just been to Galle and back to inspect a ship which had been hijacked by Somalian pirates. Now starts report writing...
3. 
   absolutelyvile (Undisclosed) Personally, I think that Somali pirates jacking all these ships is kind of funny, especially if everyone's safe. 06 Apr 2009 from web
4. 
   PeterPritchard (Ottawa, Canada) Somali pirates are fascinating. The rest of the world brought that on themselves... 07 Apr 2009 from web
5. 
   loutianren (Singapore) Somali pirates capture British cargo ship (again) http://twurl.nl/43j6y7. anybody heard of the new disney movie, "pirates of the somalian"? 07 Apr 2009 from Ping.fm

Somali pirates continue hijackings