World Digest

U.S.: 4 failed Somali pirate attacks

MOGADISHU, Somalia - There have been four failed pirate attacks in the last 2 days off the lawless Somali coast despite the presence of six American warships guarding a hijacked ship full of weapons, a U.S. navy spokesman said yesterday.

Navy Commander Jane Campbell, from the 5th Fleet in Bahrain, said three attacks were averted because crew members escaped at high speed.

Another attack was foiled because the pirates were badly prepared: The ladder they had brought to climb onto the ship was too short.

Last week's attack on a Ukrainian ship laden with 33...