World piracy drops to 20-yr low: watchdog

Pirate attacks worldwide fell to a 20-year low in the third quarter, the International Maritime Bureau said yesterday, as it credited anti-piracy efforts by authorities and the shipping industry. The IMB said in its latest quarterly report that 42 instances of piracy on the high seas were recorded in July-September. "With just 42 attacks worldwide this quarter, maritime piracy is at its lowest since 1996," it said.