Dubai hosts anti-piracy conference

A conference to tackle maritime piracy has opened in Dubai as attacks hit record numbers despite international naval efforts to stem the activity.
The two-day conference, themed "Global Challenge, Regional Responses: Forging a Common Approach to Maritime Piracy", is attended by shipping industry leaders, foreign ministers and independent experts.
It focuses on "the widespread threats of piracy and collaborative means to eradicate it", a statement said.