2. The U.S. Navy removed the commander of the Seventh Fleet after four accidents in Asian waters this year, including two in the past two months that left more than a dozen sailors dead.

Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, above, had been set to retire within weeks, but his superiors had lost confidence in him.

The Navy is preparing to conduct an extremely rare suspension of ship operations worldwide for a day or two in the next week to review safety and operational procedures.