Sea piracy attacks reached a record level

A watchdog maritime world said piracy of sea in the world hit a record of 142 attacks in the first quarter of this year as the Somali pirates are becoming more violent and aggressive.

The International Maritime Bureau piracy centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, statement says is 97 attacks occurred off the coast of Somalia, up sharply from 35 in the same period last year.

It is said attackers seized 18 ships in the world, including three large oil tankers, in the period January-March and captured 344 crew members. Pirates also killed seven crew members and wounded 34 in the quarter.

Director of the centre based in Kuala Lumpur, Pottengal Mukundan, said Thursday that there was a "dramatic increase in violence and techniques", used by Somali pirates to increased against patrols by international marine.

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Canadian PM fends attacks in debate - San Jose Mercury News

Print email police resizeBy does ROB GILLIES associated with PressPosted: 12/04/2011 06: 45: 51 PM PDTUpdated: 12/04/2011 07: 46: 38 PM PDT
Click on photo to enlarge Prime Minister Stephen Harper, left, shakes hands with the leader of the Bloc Québécois Gilles Duceppe, right, as Jack Layton, leader of the new Democratic Party, left, and and Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, look at suite he English-language federal election debate in OttawaCanada Tuesday, April 12, 2011. TORONTO - the leaders of four political parties of the Canada clashed in the first debate Tuesday before a federal election next month, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper repel attacks and asking Canadians to a majority government.

Analysts say Michael Ignatieff, Liberal leader of the main opposition needed a strong showing for a chance in the election on May 2. Ignatieff did not shake Harper and he stumbled on its lines prepared.

Polls say that Harper looks set for a third term. This time he asked voters to give him a majority in the House of Commons of 308-Member; He avoided that earlier, wary of being accused of scope of right.

Harper said Canada should focus on the economy and did not need "quarrel" seen in the debate. It is the fourth election in four years, which reflects the failure of the two main parties to obtain a parliamentary majority and leaving successive Governments depend on the voice of the opposition to stay in power.

"We are asking - in an election, we wanted, in a Canadian election did not want that - we are asking Canadians to make a decision: do you want to have this kind of bickering, you want to have another election in two years." Or you want to focus on the economy? Harper said research directly into the camera.

Ignatieff replied: "this is not bickering, Mr. Harper." It is democracy. ?

Accused Ignatieff that Harper did not win the right to a majority because it does not meet.

democratic institutions. He called Harper "a man who will close something, he cannot control."

Harper stirred controversy by suspending the Parliament temporarily and was condemned for failing to inform the Agency fully on essential financial decisions. These issues and its determination to reduce the corporate tax led to queries which brought down his Government and forced the current election.

As Prime Minister, Harper won two elections in a row. Despite the Commander never a majority in Parliament, he was able to move instinctively liberal countries ever more right.

Harper, 51, has progressively lowered taxes of sales and business, an increase in spending on the military and given priority to sovereignty in the Arctic.

Ignatieff, 63, is one of the intellectuals of the Canada: a writer, historian and a TV in the regular Panel in Britain before entering politics. Repeated announcements conservative attack painted Ignatieff of outsider who spent 30 years outside the Canada.

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Nations United renews attacks on weapons of Gbagbo

The United Nations and French helicopters Sunday fired rockets on the home of Ivory Coast Laurent Gbagbo strongman in commercial capital, Abidjan, residents and the United Nations said.

Prisoners of a militia loyal to Laurent Gbagbo are held in a garage in the northern suburb of Abidjan. Emmanuel Braun/Reuters.

"I'm concluding what Mr. Gbagbo has lost contact with reality,", said the head of mission of peacekeeping one, Choi Young-jin, Sunday.

A United Nations spokesman said the operation was launched a day after forces loyal to President outgoing fired rockets and mortar on the hotel of Golf rounds, wounding a peacekeeper. It is believed that the weapons that were used are collected at Gbagbo's residence, spokesman for United Nations Hamadoun Toure said.

Alassane Ouattara, President of the country, internationally recognized uses the hotel as headquarters since November contested elections.

Residence of French Ambassador were firing Friday, according to Frederic Daguillon, Commander of French forces in C?te d'Ivoire.

"We continue our operation to neutralize the heavy weapons of Gbagbo," Toure told Reuters.

Two residents of the neighbouring districts have reported seeing two Mi-24 attack helicopters and a French helicopter open fire on the residence. A resident said he saw the smoke of the compound, where Gbagbo is hidden in a bunker.

After a dozen years in power, he still refuses to resign even if the United Nations ruled that he lost the presidential election to Ouattara.

After four months of diplomacy, Ouattara gave the green light for military intervention conducted by a group of former rebels fighters.

They have swept across the country, advancing hundreds of kilometres and take dozens of cities in a few days to be accepted at the door of Abidjan, C?te d'Ivoire of the largest and most strategically important city.

Forces of Gbagbo out of the presidential compound Saturday and advanced position at the heart of downtown and the hotel of the golf course.

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