Pirates hijack U.S.-crewed cargo ship off Somalia

Somali pirates hijacked a U.S.-flagged, Danish-owned container ship on Wednesday with 20 American crew on board in the latest of a sharp rise in attacks off the Horn of Africa nation, officials said. The 17,000 tonne Maersk Alabama had been seized off Mogadishu far out in the Indian Ocean, but all its crew were believed to be safe. This undated handout picture shows the Maersk Alabama container ship, formerly Maersk Alva.