The US Navy has rescued two Iranian seamen who had been adrift for eight days on a fishing boat in Gulf waters.
The men were in "good health and spirits" despite their ordeal, the navy said, reporting what is now almost an annual incident in rescuing Iranian civilian craft.
While the Arabian Sea is not known for dangerous sailing conditions, despite the increasing frequency of cyclones, smaller ships can still encounter difficulty. The US Navy has on occasion also come to the assistance of Iranian craft in the Gulf of Aden.
Naval vessels are well equipped for maritime rescue, with powerful infrared cameras and multiple crew members on lookout duty.
The US Navy’s Mark 20 Electro-Optical Sensor System (Eoss) for example, fitted to most surface warships, is a stabilised camera that can identify and track ships by night or day, including in severe weather over long distances.
While such a system is primarily for war, it is also useful for identifying ships in distress, used for navigation and situational awareness.
"A US Navy vessel rescued two Iranian mariners [on Saturday] from a fishing vessel after it was adrift for eight days in the Gulf of Oman," said the US Naval Forces Central Command, or Navcent.
Navy cargo ship Charles Drew arrived at the scene with food, water and medical care six hours after a distress call from the mariners, the statement said.
The two men were transported to an Omani coastguard vessel near Muscat. "The mariners were in good health and spirits at the time of the transfer," the navy said.
"We appreciate the government of Oman for its assistance and support in helping us return the mariners home," Navcent commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said.
The US and its regional allies share concerns about Iran, which has previously been accused of orchestrating attacks on shipping in the region. Tehran rejects the allegations.
Since February, Iran and its arch-enemy Israel have been accused of engaging in what analysts have called a "shadow war", in which vessels linked to each nation have come under attack in tit-for-tat exchanges in waters around the Gulf.
Sunday’s incident is not the first time the US has rescued Iranian sailors at sea.
In 2012, six Iranian sailors were rescued from a foundering cargo ship after its engine room flooded. The previous week, 15 Iranian sailors had to be rescued by the US Navy from pirates in the Gulf of Aden.
A similar incident occurred in 2017, also in the Gulf of Aden, when the USS Howard assisted the crew of an Iranian dhow.
In October 2018, US Navy destroyer USS Winston S Churchill sailed to the assistance of an Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea.
The US ship radioed the drifting dhow, whose crew explained that their battery had gone flat. The Winston S Churchill had no replacement power source for the Iranian vessel and took the crew members, who had run out of food and water, on board. Oman’s coastguard later picked them up and arranged for their return home.
In December last year, the Maersk Kinloss, a US-flagged civilian cargo ship, rescued three Iranian sailors whose ship had sunk near Oman. Although a cargo ship, the Maersk Kinloss was also part of the US Maritime Security Programme, meaning that it could have been used for logistics by US forces in a time of war.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday Benevento v Atalanta (2pm), Genoa v Bologna (5pm), AC Milan v Torino (7.45pm)
Sunday Roma v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Udinese v Napoli, Hellas Verona v Crotone, Parma v Lazio (2pm), Fiorentina v Cagliari (9pm), Juventus v Sassuolo (11.45pm)
Monday Spezia v Sampdoria (11.45pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
Dunki
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THE%20SWIMMERS
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SCHEDULE
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm:Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
Amith's predicted winners:
6.30pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.05pm: Etisalat
7.40pm: Mulfit
8.15pm: Pennsylvania Dutch
8.50pm: Mudallel
9.25pm: Midnight Sands
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
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RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Nashrah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Mutaqadim, Riccardo Iacopini, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
6pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Jose Santiago, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner AF Almomayaz, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Dalil Al Carrere, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Jayide Al Boraq, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
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When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
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The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
