Straits of Hormuz Revolutionary Guards

Five Iranian Revolutionary Guard fast boats "harassed and provoked" three U.S. naval ships in international waters at the Straits of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. The cruiser Port Royal, the destroyer Hopper and the frigate Ingraham were in international waters on their way into the Persian Gulf around 8 a.m. local time Sunday when the Iranian encounter occurred. Vice Adm. Kevin J. Cosgriff, commander of American naval forces in the region, said Iran might take actions to illustrate its ability to damage global prosperity. The Fars news agency, which is close to the Revolutionary Guard, wrote “This was a media show by Bush to pretend his trip is important to the Middle East and to make the Arab countries feel that they need the U.S. forces in the region for security.” here

North Koreans use Cambodia flag vessel

ARGUS, 3950 tons, built 1971, Cambodia
Exposing an apparent loophole in Japan's sanctions against North Korea, a Cambodian-registered freighter carrying 8,500 used bicycles left Sakai Port in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, for North Korea. It is the first such move since the government banned the entry of North Korean vessels following Pyongyang's nuclear test in October.

The 2,740-ton Argus was provided by a Russian shipping firm at the request of a Nagano-based trading company among others.
Following North Korea's nuclear test in October, the Japanese government banned the entry of all North Korean-registered ships into Japanese ports, prohibited the importation of all products from North Korea and blocked exports of luxury goods, such as passenger cars and electrical appliances, from Japan.

Although bicycles are not included in the list of luxury items prohibited for export to North Korea, the ban on ships entering the nation's ports has effectively restricted the export of bicycles to North Korea. here