Fighting piracy

Fighting piracy Coast Guard bill includes anti-pirate liability protection
   The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday voted out a Coast Guard reauthorization bill that sets the table for $10 billion in funding during fiscal year 2010.
   It also strengthens protections for U.S. mariners who defend their vessels against acts of piracy.
   More than a tenth of the funding blueprint is devoted to the acquisition of new vessels, aircraft and support systems as part of the Deepwater acquisition program.
   The funding level is $200 million more than requested by the Obama administration.

NATO warns India of targeted Somali pirate attacks
   NATO this week warned Indian maritime authorities that Somali pirates linked to al Qaeda could be targeting Indian vessels and sailors, the Times of India reported Thursday.
   NATO said it had specific intelligence pointing to plots involving Indian vessels in the next few weeks.
   “We expect to see an increase in the Somali base in the next few weeks,' said Christian Helseth, NATO deputy chief of staff. 'It’ll be a huge challenge to all the naval operators in the area.”