New York Times: Iran Holds Two U.S. Navy Boats After Mechanical Problems, Officials Say
WASHINGTON — The crews of two small Navy boats were picked up by the Iranian authorities on Tuesday after commanders lost contact with the vessels, and Pentagon officials said that Iran had agreed to return the sailors soon.
An official said that the boats appeared to have drifted into Iranian territorial waters after one of them experienced mechanical problems. A military official said that the boats were moving between Kuwait and Bahrain when contact was lost.
MIDDLE EAST
Suicide bomber kills 10 people, mainly Germans, in Istanbul. At least 10 killed, 15 wounded in suicide bombing near tourists on central Istanbul square - media. Deadly Istanbul blast caused by Syria-linked suicide bomber, says Erdoğan. Turkey: 10 die in suicide blast in Istanbul Sultanahmet district.
Madaya Syria: '400 residents must leave' for medical treatment.
Syria army enters rebel bastion in Latakia province: monitor.
U.N. appeals for $500 million to get 1 million Syrian children in school.
U.S. bombs 'millions' in ISIS currency holdings. US-led coalition strike 'destroys IS bank in Iraq'.
At least 51 killed in attacks in Iraqi capital, eastern town. Iraqi PM vows to rout IS after mall bombing, mosque attacks.
Iraq conflict: Shia 'reprisals' after bomb kills 20 in cafe. Sunni mosques in east Iraq attacked after IS-claimed blasts.
Israel struggles to combat homegrown ISIL threat.
Two suspected spies for Iran sentenced to death in Kuwait. Kuwait sentences two to death for 'spying for Iran'.
Iran says Arak reactor not yet decommissioned, work ongoing.
Hamas tunnel network destroyed in 2014 war could be nearly rebuilt: report.
ASIA
Philippine court allows military deal with U.S. as sides meet in Washington.
Negotiators try to restart Afghan peace talks.
Afghanistan official says thinks Taliban interested in talks. Afghan official warns Taliban on staying out of peace talks.
US House of Representatives backs broader North Korea sanctions, after nuclear test.
For young South Koreans, the North's nuclear test is barely a blip.
Pakistan would defend Saudi territory, but not join coalition.
Suu Kyi partipates in official ceasefire talks with rebel groups. Myanmar peace talks with armed ethnic groups begin.
Corrupt police make Thailand a 'dangerous trap', says sister of murdered British tourist.
Families long for justice after civilian bloodshed in joint US-Afghan raid.
AFRICA
Lord's Resistance Army kidnaps dozens in Central African Republic.
In Burundi, uptick in ethnic rhetoric sparks anxiety over genocide warnings.
7.5 million need humanitarian aid in DR Congo: UN.
Mali's Jihadists draw strength from peace deal delays, Army says.
ISIS shifts to Libya after strikes in Syria.
Libya plans oil loading at eastern port for first time since 2014.
Revolt in governing party shakes Tunisian politics.
Central African Republic vote recount demanded.
UN: More than half of South Sudanese kids not in school.
EUROPE
Council of Europe sees French state of emergency risks.
NATO cannot limit missile defenses to please Russia, U.S. says.
Germany to ease deportation rules after Cologne sex-assault spree. Merkel urges speedy tightening of asylum rules after sex attacks.
Cash crisis: If Schengen goes, the Euro is finished, warns Merkel.
Smugglers change tactics as refugee flow to Greece holds steady.
Paris attacks: First images emerge of suspect Salah Abdeslam on run. Paris attacks suspect Abdeslam 'caught on CCTV' in French petrol station.
Putin: US and NATO want to 'sit on the throne in Europe alone'.
Putin says sheltering Assad would be easier than Snowden asylum. Putin hints that Russia could grant asylum to Assad.
Off the grid: Russia to halt electricity supply to Ukraine.
AMERICAS
Ahead of speech, Obama has regrets over U.S. political divisions.
Obama's last State of the Union to set final goals, promote legacy.
Venezuela sinks deeper into messy political crisis.
Venezuela's Supreme Court declares congress decisions void. Venezuela Supreme Court says National Assembly is void.
Syrian refugees in Canada to hit 10,000 under Liberal plan as Toronto, Montreal flights arrive.
Mexican drug lord's men put up fierce fight.
The multiple indictments 'El Chapo' faces across US. Prosecutors in these seven U.S. courtrooms want 'El Chapo'.
U.S., Mexican efforts to battle gun trafficking falter: GAO.
With Mexico's 'Chapo' back behind bars, Zambada the last capo standing.
Biden: Obama offered financial help during Beau Biden's illness.
Haitians remember dead on 6th anniversary of earthquake.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US questioned Kuwait’s ability to deal with Guantanamo detainee for good reason.
ISIS video shows destruction from U.S. airstrike on Mosul bank.
America’s new plan to fight ISIS online.
Graham, Ayotte call for hearing on Gitmo transfers.
Freed Guantanamo detainees say they seek peace and quiet in Ghana.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
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Oil briefly dips below $30; $124B in oil company profits lost.
China's Wanda Group buys Hollywood studio Legendary for $3.5 bn.
Half of US shale drillers may go bankrupt: Oppenheimer's Gheit.
Oil trading remains volatile on oversupply concerns.
OPEC considering emergency action on oil prices.
Nigeria says OPEC may meet soon as oil even hurting Saudis.
1 comment:
WNU Editor,
The reports by the Pentagon to the media, are inconsistent. One report is they were travelling between Kuwait and Bahrain, which if true, would put them either 48 nm off course if they drifted into Iranian waters near Farsi Island, 98 nm off course if it was mainland Iranian waters and on the completely wrong side of the Gulf.
Another report states that they were conducting a training exercise near Farsi Island, which makes a lot more sense for the "breakdown, drifting" story,
But then raises the question of what two US "Riverine Patrol Boats" were doing offshore of one of the most secretive and secure IRGCN bases in the Gulf.
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