Turkey's parliament is extending for another year the authority to deploy navy ships helping a NATO mission fight piracy along Somalia's vast and lawless coastline, according to AP. Tuesday's decision comes a day after Turkey sent a new frigate, the TCG Gemlik, to join the NATO anti-piracy mission. Turkish warships joined the NATO mission a year ago and have repelled seven attacks, raiding pirate skiffs and capturing dozens of pirates. Somali pirates seized 47 vessels last year. They currently hold about 200 crew members hostage. Piracy experts say most of the hijacked ships ignored safety precautions.
