Somali Pirates Attack US Warship

Suspected Somali pirates fired on a U.S. Navy warship off East Africa in what appeared to be a ransom seeking attack on an American guided missile frigate. The USS Nicholas returned fire on the pirate

skiff, sinking it and also confiscated a mothership. Five pirates were taken into custody.
Last May, pirates chased a U.S. Navy warship and fired small arms fire at it. The ship, which had recently served as a prison for captured pirates, increased speed and evaded the attack. French and Dutch naval ships also have been attacked by pirates. The U.S. Africa Command said the five pirates seized Thursday
would remain in U.S. custody on board the frigate. The Taiwan government said it fears a Taiwanese fishing boat may have been hijacked by pirates off the Somali coast. Officials have lost contact with the 79-ton Jih-chun Tsai 68 fishing trawler on Wednesday.