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☆ Oil prices edge up on Middle East risk
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Oil prices rose slightly on Tuesday on fears Middle East tensions could disrupt supply, but uncertainty about the pace of potential U.S. interest rate cuts and the ensuing impact on fuel demand capped gains. Oil prices were near flat in Monday's trade, after gaining 6% last week. A move by the U.S. to tighten or step up enforcement of sanctions on Iran would impact oil market supplies. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is also scheduled to release its monthly oil market report on Tuesday. OPEC and its allies including Russia, known as OPEC+, will decide in March whether to extend voluntary oil production cuts in place for the first quarter.

Persons: Houthis Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, New York Fed, Consumer, Reuters, of, Petroleum, OPEC, ING Locations: Huntington, Pier, Huntington Beach, Iran, Red, United States, Britain, Israel, U.S, Iraq, Russia, OPEC, Saudi Arabia

☆ Bulker Was Targeted by Missiles in Bab Al-Mandab - Ambrey, UKMTO
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI (Reuters) -British maritime security firm Ambrey said on Monday that a Marshall Islands-flagged, Greece-owned bulk carrier was targeted by missiles in two incidents within two minutes while transiting through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The bulker was reportedly hit and suffered damage to its the starboard side, Ambrey added. Ambrey had first reported that the carrier had sighted a projectile near the vessel 23 nautical miles (43km) northeast of Djibouti's Khor Angar and 40 nautical miles southwest of Yemen's Red Sea port city of Mokha. War in Israel and Gaza View All 206 ImagesAmbrey added that the bulker was reportedly headed to Bandar Imam Khomeini, a city in Iran. The crew were unharmed, UKMTO said, and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call, UKMTO said.

Persons: Ambrey, Djibouti's Khor, Bandar Imam Khomeini, UKMTO, Nayera Abdallah, Tala, Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Reuters, NASDAQ, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Locations: DUBAI, Marshall, Greece, Mandab, Djibouti's, Yemen's, Mokha, Israel, Gaza, Bandar, Iran, Yemen, Africa

☆ Yemen's Houthis Hold Funeral for 17 Militants Killed in US-UK Air Strikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

CAIRO (Reuters) - Yemen's Houthi militia held a funeral on Saturday for at least 17 militants killed during joint U.S.-British airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed militants, the Houthi-run Saba news agency said. The Houthis have launched waves of exploding drones and missiles at commercial ships since Nov. 19 in what they say is a response to Israel's military operations in Gaza, prompting Britain and the United States to start retaliatory strikes last month. "These crimes will not discourage the Yemeni people from continuing their support and backing of their brothers in the Gaza Strip," Saba said in its coverage of the funerals. The Houthi campaign has disrupted international shipping, causing some companies to suspend transits through the Red Sea and instead take the much longer, costlier journey around Africa. Photos You Should See View All 21 Images(Reporting by Ahmed Tolba; Writing by Adam Makary; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Helen Popper)

Persons: Saba, Ahmed Tolba, Adam Makary, Mark Heinrich, Helen Popper Locations: CAIRO, Iran, Saba, Gaza, Britain, United States, Israel, Yemen, U.S, Africa

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Meta has removed Instagram and Facebook accounts run on behalf of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after criticism over his support for Hamas after its Oct. 7 attack on Israel that sparked the monthslong war still raging in the Gaza Strip, the company confirmed Friday. Khamenei and accounts associated with the supreme leader had been praising the Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage. Immediately after the attack, Khamenei backed Hamas in a speech, saying: “We kiss the hands of those who planned the attack on the Zionist regime." Iran has provided arms and support to Hamas, though Tehran isn't believed to have directed the Oct. 7 attack. “He’s used these platforms for years to incite violent antisemitism, to legitimize militant anti-zionism and to make genocidal threats,” Greenblatt wrote online.

Persons: — Meta, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khamenei, Donald Trump, Mahsa Amini, Tehran isn't, Yemen's, Jonathan Greenblatt, Meta's, “ He’s, ” Greenblatt Organizations: United Arab Emirates, —, Iran's, Organizations, U.S ., United Nations, U.S, Trump, Facebook, Green Movement, Twitter, Zionist, Defamation League Locations: DUBAI, United Arab, Israel, Gaza, Menlo Park , California, Iran, America, Tehran, East

☆ Shipping giant Maersk suspends share buybacks amid Red Sea disruption, flags 2024 earnings uncertainty
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON — Danish shipping giant Maersk on Thursday flagged "high uncertainty" in its 2024 earnings outlook as Red Sea disruptions continued to weigh on the industry. The company also said that it would be suspending share buybacks on the back of the uncertainty. Maersk said it expected underlying EBITDA (or earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) of between $1 billion and $6 billion this year, compared to the $9.6 billion recorded in 2023. "The impact of this situation is causing new uncertainty for how this is going to play out from an earnings perspective throughout the year," CEO Vincent Clerc told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe." Global supply chains have faced serious disruption since late 2023 after major shipping companies began diverting journeys away from the Red Sea following a string of attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Persons: Maersk, Vincent Clerc, CNBC's, Yemen's Houthi Organizations: LONDON Locations: Ocean, Iran, Gaza, Israel

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Missiles and drones are flying in the Red Sea, disrupting one of the world's key trade arteries and a chokepoint for energy shipments headed for Europe. Last year, 12.9% of Europe's LNG went through the Red Sea from suppliers in the Middle East, mainly Qatar. That means “an extended shut-in of the Red Sea route from the Middle East poses a supply risk to Europe,” said Kaushal Ramesh, vice president at Rystad Energy. So far, there's been little to no impact on natural gas prices. Europe is getting a break because demand for natural gas is weak amid a sluggish economy.

Persons: Yemen's Houthi, it's, ”, Kaushal Ramesh, there's, ” Rystad's Ramesh, Simone Tagliapietra, Tagliapietra, Biden, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, Jennifer Granholm, Eurogas, Tagliapeitra, Claudia Kemfert, ___ Daly Organizations: Missiles, Union, SEA, Italy's, Europe's, Rystad Energy, WHAT'S, Energy, Industry, German Institute of Economic Research, Leuphana University Locations: FRANKFURT, Germany, Red, Europe, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Mandab, Israel, U.S, Yemen, Africa, Suez, Qatar, China, Norway, Azerbaijan, Brussels, Iran, Hormuz, Persian, That's, ”, Asia, ” U.S, USA, EU, Washington

☆ The US risks joining a long list of powers that tried and failed to stop the Houthis
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. But while the US enjoys overwhelming military superiority over the Houthis, defeating this tribal movement would be a nightmare. Case in point: Egypt tried to suppress the Houthis in the 1960s. Today's Houthis are attacking ships in the Red Sea – and hurling ballistic missiles at Israel – ostensibly in response to Israel's military operations in Gaza. Indeed the rebellion eased Israel's lightning victory in the 1967 Six-Day War, a fact that the Houthis have chosen not to publicize.

Persons: —, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Jesse Ferris, Nasser's Gamble, Nasser, quagmire, Islam –, Yemen —, Ferris, Mohammed Hamoud, Israel –, Israel, Lawrence Organizations: Service, Business, Broadway, Israel Democracy Institute, Palestine, US, Royalists, British, Yemeni Locations: Yemen, Egypt, Vietnam, British, Zaidi, Islam, Arab, Soviet, Russia, America, Afghanistan, Gaza, Saudi, Britain, Israel, Iran

☆ Yemen Houthi Leader Says Group Will Further Escalate if Attacks on Gaza Do Not Stop
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI (Reuters) - The leader of Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on Tuesday that the group will further escalate if the Israeli attack on Gaza does not stop. The Houthis, who control Yemen's capital and most populous areas, have attacked international shipping in the Red Sea since November in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians, drawing U.S. and British retaliatory strikes since last month. The attacks are disrupting maritime trade in one of the world's busiest corridors as freight firms reroute around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Suez Canal. The group fired naval missiles at two ships in the Red Sea on Tuesday, its military spokesman said, causing damage to Greek-owned Star Nasia and British-owned Morning Tide. War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 ImagesSpokesman Yahya Sarea identified the Greek-owned, Marshall Islands flagged Star Nasia as American.

Persons: Yemen's, Houthis, Abdul Malik al, Houthi, Yahya Sarea, Ahmed Elimam, Nayera Abdallah, Peter Graff Organizations: Reuters, Tide, Marshall Islands Locations: DUBAI, Yemen's Iran, Gaza, Red, Suez, Israel, India

☆ Taiwan Says Trade Not Being Much Affected by Red Sea Disruptions
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwanese companies are not being affected much by disruptions to the key shipping lane of the Red Sea as it has coincided with the traditional low season in demand for exporters, Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua said on Monday. Some shipping companies have suspended transit along the Red Sea route to avoid being attacked by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi group, which has launched waves of exploding drones and missiles at vessels since November in response to Israel's military operations in Gaza. The Houthi attacks have primarily targeted container vessels moving through the Red Sea. Taiwanese container shipping line Evergreen Marine said in December that ships scheduled to pass through the Red Sea would be rerouted around Africa's Cape of Good Hope. Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Wang said her ministry had spoken with 14 industry groups as well as companies to gauge the impact of the Red Sea disruptions.

Persons: Wang Mei, Good Hope, Wang, Ben Blanchard, Sonali Paul Organizations: Evergreen Locations: TAIPEI, Gaza, Africa's, Good, Taipei, Israel, Europe, Ukraine, Taiwan

☆ Houthis could cut undersea global internet cables, minister warns
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

An analyst has warned that the Houthis' next target could be undersea internet cables. That analysis warned of the potential shift in the Houthi's strategy in the Red Sea. Such a move would see the Houthis' strategy shift from targeting shipping — itself deeply disruptive to the global economy — to the global flow of information. In the analysis published last week, analyst Emily Milliken at the DC-based Askari Defense & Intelligence described undersea cables as the Houthi's "next casualty." Advertisement"Even partial damage to the undersea cables could eliminate internet access across vast areas, causing major economic disruptions for entire countries," she wrote.

Persons: —, Moammar, Emily Milliken, Milliken, Yemen's, Jake Epstein, group's Organizations: UN, Service, Gulf International, Askari Defense & Intelligence, Telegram, General Telecommunications Corporation, Guardian, Yemen Telecom, of Telecommunications, Information Technology, US Central Command Locations: Aden, Gulf, Red, Yemen, Gaza

☆ Yemen's Houthis Vow Response After US, British Strikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

The group's military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the U.S. strikes "will not pass without a response and consequences." HOUTHIS SAY WON'T BE DETERREDThe Houthis, who control swathes of Yemen, say their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians as Israel strikes Gaza. The strategy blends limited military strikes and sanctions, and appears aimed at punishing the Houthis while attempting to limit the risk of a broad Middle East conflict. "We have already successfully targeted launchers and storage sites involved in Houthi attacks, and I am confident that our latest strikes have further degraded the Houthis’ capabilities." The United States said Sunday's strikes had support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

Persons: Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Mohammed Ghobari WASHINGTON, Yahya Sarea, Mahjoob Zweiri, Joe Biden, Sarea, Grant Shapps, Sunday's, Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud, Busaidi, Andrew Mills, Tom Perry, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Reuters, Britain, Pentagon, Hamas, Residents, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gulf Studies, Qatar University, U.S, Republicans, Democrat, U.S . military's Central Command, British Defence, U.S . Central Command, Oman Foreign, Tala Locations: ADEN, United States, Yemen, Iran, Palestinian, Israel, Gaza, Tehran, Houthi, U.S, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Britain, Africa, Egypt, Suez, Red, States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sanaa Governorate, Taiz Governorate, Hodeidah Governorate, Oman, Doha, Dubai

☆ U.S. Carrying Out New Strikes in Yemen, US Officials Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Phil Stewart and Idrees AliWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States launched a series of strikes against Iran-linked targets in Yemen on Saturday, three U.S. officials told Reuters, in what appeared to be a second day of retaliatory operations following a deadly attack on American troops last weekend. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not provide further details on the locations being struck, but two of them said there were dozens of targets. War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 ImagesThe Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen, say their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians as Israel strikes Gaza. The United States has previously carried out more than 10 strikes against Houthi targets in the past several weeks, but they have failed to stop attacks by the group. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

Persons: Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali WASHINGTON, Idrees Ali, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: United, Reuters, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, U.S Locations: United States, Iran, Yemen, Al, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Yemen's Iran, Red, Israel, Gaza

☆ U.S. and Britain strike Yemen's Houthis in a new wave, retaliating for attacks by Iran-backed militants
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Yemen's Houthi followers take part in a tribal parade held against the United States-led aerial attacks launched on sites in Yemen, and solidarity with Palestinians, on January 22, 2024, near Sana'a, Yemen. The Defense Department said the strikes targeted sites associated with the Houthis' deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems and radars. Saturday's strikes marked the third time the U.S. and Britain had conducted a large joint operation to strike Houthi weapon launchers, radar sites and drones. Iran has tried to distance itself from the drone strike, saying the militias act independently of its direction. Mosawi said the targeted sites in Iraq were mainly "devoid of fighters and military personnel at the time of the attack."

Persons: Yemen's, Dwight D, Lloyd Austin, Eisenhower, Carney, Hope, Bab, Jordan, Hussein, Mosawi, Rami Abdurrahman, Bassim, Awadi Organizations: Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Eisenhower, USS Carney, Associated Press, Defense Department, U.S, Human Rights, Islamic, Iraq, Israel Locations: United States, Yemen, Sana'a, Britain, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, U.S, Gulf of Aden, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Washington, Tehran, Sanaa, SABA, al, Gulf, Aden, Africa, Suez, Mandeb, Iranian, Baghdad, Gaza, Iraqi

☆ Italy to Supply Admiral for EU Red Sea Naval Mission
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

ROME (Reuters) - Italy will provide the admiral in command of a European Union Red Sea naval mission to protect ships from attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on Friday. "The European Union today asked Italy to supply the Force Commander for the Aspides Operation in the Red Sea," Crosetto said in a statement. The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Wednesday he hoped the mission, to be named Aspides - meaning "protector" in ancient Greek - could be launched on Feb. 17. Its mandate would be to protect commercial ships and intercept attacks, but not take part in strikes against the Houthis, Borrell said. (Reporting by Angelo Amante; Writing by Gavin Jones; Editing by Daniel Wallis)

Persons: Yemen's, Guido Crosetto, Crosetto, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Angelo Amante, Gavin Jones, Daniel Wallis Organizations: European, Red Sea, Defence Locations: ROME, Italy, Yemen, Gaza, Union, Red, Israel, Greece, Larissa

☆ Oil prices gain after OPEC+ maintains output cuts
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An oil pump jack in Midland, Texas, US, on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Photographer: Sergio Flores/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesOil prices rose in early trade on Friday following a decision by OPEC+ to keep its oil output policy unchanged, clawing back some losses from the previous trading session triggered by unsubstantiated ceasefire reports between Israel and Hamas. Both contracts settled more than 2% lower on Thursday due to the unverified ceasefire reports between Israel and Hamas. On Thursday, two OPEC+ sources said the group has kept its oil output policy unchanged, and will decide in March whether or not to extend the voluntary oil production cuts in place for the first quarter. Lower interest rates would reduce consumer borrowing costs, which can boost economic growth and oil demand.

Persons: Sergio Flores, Brent, Yemen's, Jerome Powell Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, OPEC, U.S, West Texas, Hamas, of, Petroleum, ANZ Research, U.S . Federal Locations: Midland , Texas, Israel, Iran, Red, Russia, OPEC, U.S .

☆ Why Yemen’s Houthi rebels welcome conflict with the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Since mid-November the rebels have been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Strait of Bab al-Mandab. The Red Sea is a vital waterway that connects to the Suez Canal, through which 10% to 15% of world trade passes. In its fight, the Houthi group has distracted from Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, shored up domestic and international support, and made its name known among those who knew little to nothing about the movement, they say. That narrative has taken hold among those who oppose the Gaza war the world over. Yemen’s civil war began in 2014, when Houthi forces stormed the capital Sanaa and toppled the internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government.

Persons: Abdel Malek al, Houthi, ”, Allah, Thomas Juneau, ” Juneau, ’, Ahmed Nagi, Juneau, Israel, “, Biden, Netanyahu, ” Mohamed Ali al, Nagi, ” Nagi, ” Mohammed Ali Al, Yemen's Houthi, ” “ Houthis, Nadwa, Yemenis, ” Dawsari Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemeni, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa, Canada’s Department of National Defense, Yemeni Armed Forces, European Union, NATO, United, Crisis, UN, BBC, Political Council, Galaxy Leader, Getty, Middle East Institute Locations: Constantinople, Istanbul, United States, Saudi, Israel, Gaza, Bab, Suez, Iran, China, India, Tehran, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Red, Solidarity, Aden, Instagram, US, United Kingdom, Brussels, Saudi Arabia, tatters, Yemen's province, Hodeida, AFP, America, Washington ,

☆ United Nations Seeks $2.7 Billion for Aid to Yemen in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations appealed for $2.7 billion on Thursday to pay for humanitarian aid operations this year in war-torn Yemen, where most of the 18 million people in need live in the north of the country ruled by the Iran-aligned Houthi group. Peter Hawkins, the acting U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, described the amount of money the U.N. was seeking as more realistic than the $4.3 billion it asked for last year. He stressed that Yemen should not be forgotten as the world deals with multiple humanitarian crises. Hawkins also said he was hoping a U.S. decision in January to return the Houthis to a list of terrorist groups would not affect aid operations in Yemen. Yemen has been mired in conflict since Houthis ousted the government from the capital Sanaa in late 2014.

Persons: Peter Hawkins, Hawkins, stoked, Washington, Houthis, Michelle Nichols, Alistair Bell Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, Reuters, United Nations, The U.S Locations: Yemen, Iran, Israel, Gaza, The, Saudi Arabia

JERUSALEM (AP) — A U.S. Navy destroyer in the Red Sea shot down an anti-ship cruise missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels, the latest attack targeting American forces patrolling the key maritime route, officials said Wednesday. The attack late Tuesday night targeted the USS Gravely, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the U.S. military's Central Command said in a statement. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesThe Houthis claimed without evidence on Monday to have targeted the USS Lewis B. Puller, a floating landing base used by the Navy SEALs and others. Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea over Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza. The Houthis hit a commercial vessel with a missile on Friday, sparking a fire that burned for hours.

Persons: Yemen's Houthi, Arleigh Burke, Yahya Saree, ” Saree, Houthi, Lewis B, Puller Organizations: JERUSALEM, —, U.S . Navy, U.S . military's, Command, Navy, Hamas Locations: U.S, British, Red, Gaza, Israel, Asia, Europe

☆ Ship Carrying 16,000 Sheep and Cattle Stranded off Australia
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

"It's very hard to imagine that that is consistent with the animal welfare standards that Australians expect to be applied to Australian animals." ROUGH WEATHERAustralia is a major exporter of live animals, shipping more than half a million sheep and half a million cattle last year. Most cattle go to Asian markets such as Indonesia and Vietnam but the Middle East is by far the biggest destination for Australian sheep. Israel is a key market, receiving 86,100 sheep worth $6.5 million and 10,848 cattle worth $14 million from Australia in the first three months of last year, trade data show. Australia's Labor government has pledged to outlaw exports of live sheep in coming years but faces angry pushback from farm groups who say this would put people out of work and destroy farming communities.

Persons: Peter Hobson CANBERRA, Yemen's, Josh Wilson, Bassem, Geoff Pearson, Canberra, Peter Hobson, Stephen Coates Organizations: Fremantle, WA Farmers, Reuters, Korkyra Shipping, Labor Locations: Australia, Israel, Africa, Red, Europe, Asia, Indonesia, Vietnam, New Zealand

☆ Houthi rebels took aim at a US aircraft, but the military blew their missiles up before they got a shot off
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US military destroyed a Houthi missile that posed a threat to a US aircraft on Wednesday. It's the latest preemptive action taken by the US, which has destroyed multiple Houthi missiles. AdvertisementUS forces on Wednesday destroyed a Houthi missile that presented an immediate threat to American aircraft, the US military said, marking the latest engagement between Western militaries and the Iran-backed rebels. After initially identifying the missile, the military determined that it "presented an imminent threat" to US aircraft operating in the region. After Wednesday's incident, however, the military specified that it hit a surface-to-air missile and that it posed a threat to US aircraft.

Persons: —, Zachary Elmore, Aden —, Houthis, Pat Ryder, Yemen's, Mohammed Hamoud Wednesday's, Biden Organizations: Command, Service, Central Command, Business, Pentagon, Hornet, Eisenhower, US Navy, British Locations: Yemen, Iran, CENTCOM, Aden, Yemen's Amran, Washington, Iraq, Syria, Jordan

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Europe’s economy failed to expand at the end of 2023, with the stagnation now lasting for more than a year amid higher energy prices, costlier credit and lagging growth in powerhouse Germany. Zero economic growth for the October-to-December period of last year follows a 0.1% contraction in the three months before that, according to figures released Tuesday by EU statistics agency Eurostat. That extends a miserable run of economic blahs: The 20 countries that use the euro currency have not shown significant growth since the third quarter of 2022, when the economy grew 0.5%. With higher shipping costs and delays to products from clothes to keyboard components, concerns are growing of new consumer price spikes if the conflict in Gaza drags on or escalates. The trade disruption could add as much as 0.5% to core inflation, which excludes volatile fuel and food prices, Oxford Economics said.

Persons: ”, Holger Schmieding, Yemen's Houthi Organizations: EU, Eurostat, European Central Bank, Oxford Economics, ECB, Hamas, Oxford Locations: FRANKFURT, Germany, Suez, Asia, Europe, Berenberg, United States, Russia, Ukraine, Red, Africa, Gaza

☆ Qatar Hopes US Retaliation Won't Undercut Hostage Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Qatar's prime minister on Monday said he hoped U.S. retaliation for an attack that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan would not undercut progress toward a new Israel-Hamas hostage release deal in weekend talks. According to Israel, some 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted in the attack, which sparked Israel's war to eliminate Hamas. In a major escalation, three U.S. service members were killed and at least 34 wounded in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on U.S. troops in northeastern Jordan near the Syrianborder, U.S. officials said on Sunday. Speaking at Washington's Atlantic Council think tank, the Qatari prime minister said U.S. retaliation "will definitely have an impact ... One way or another it will definitely have an impact on regional security and we hope things get contained." (Reporting by Jonathan Landay, Arshad Mohammed and Andrew Mills; Editing by Ros Russell)

Persons: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin, al, William Burns, Sheikh Mohammed, Joe Biden, Jonathan Landay, Arshad Mohammed, Andrew Mills, Ros Russell Organizations: WASHINGTON, Qatari, CIA, Israel, Yemen's, Washington's Atlantic Council Locations: Jordan, Israel, al Thani, Washington, Iran, Qatar, United States, Gaza, East, Yemen's Iran, Red, U.S, Syrian

☆ White House Calls Talks on Hamas Hostage Deal Constructive, Promising
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Monday that talks to secure a new release of hostages held by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza were constructive and promising but there was still a lot of work to be done. "I think it's fair to describe them as constructive," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on CNN. That could really make a difference in terms of getting more hostages out, getting more aid in and actually getting the violence to come down." "But we feel pretty good about the discussions and where they're going and the promise of something potentially pretty significant. "Some 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted in Hamas' cross-border rampage on Oct. 7, according to Israeli officials.

Persons: William Burns, Brett McGurk, John Kirby, Joe Biden, Burns, Kirby, We're, Doina Chiacu, Susan Heavey, Mark Heinrich Organizations: WASHINGTON, Palestinian, Hamas, CIA, U.S . Middle East, House, CNN, Israel, Yemen's Locations: Gaza, U.S, Israel, East, Yemen's Iran, Red, Iran, Jordan, Syrian

☆ UKMTO Says Merchant Vessel Approached by 'Three Small Craft' West of Yemen's Al-Mukha
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) -The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organisation said on Monday a merchant vessel was suspiciously approached by three small craft, 44 nautical miles west of Yemen's Al-Mukha. "Master reports merchant vessel was approached on its starboard bow by 3 small craft, the 3 small craft regrouped astern with a closest point of approach of 1NM," UKMTO said in an advisory note. The merchant vessel's security team fired warning shots to deter the small craft, and the vessel then proceeded safely to the next port of call, the organisation added. The Iran-aligned Houthi militants have launched waves of exploding drones and missiles at vessels since Nov. 19 in response to Israel's military operations in Gaza. U.S. and British warplanes, ships and submarines have responded to the Houthi attacks with dozens of retaliatory strikes across Yemen against Houthi forces.

Persons: UKMTO, Hatem Maher, Christina Fincher Organizations: Reuters, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, British, Houthi Locations: Yemen's, Iran, Gaza . U.S, Yemen

☆ Oil jumps 1% after Houthis attack on fuel tanker in Red Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A lone pumpjack located in the middle of a large solar array outside of Bakersfield, Kern County, California. Oil prices jumped 1% on Monday on fuel supply concerns after a missile struck a Trafigura-operated fuel tanker in the Red Sea and as Russian refined products exports are set to fall as several refineries are under repair after drone attacks. Brent crude futures climbed 83 cents to $84.38 a barrel by 2341 GMT after hitting a session-high of $84.80. "Disruptions to supply have been limited, but that changed on Friday after an oil tanker operating on behalf of Trafigura was hit by a missile off the coast of Yemen," ANZ analysts said in a note. "With oil tankers linked to the U.S. and UK now under threat of attack, the market is likely to reprice the risk of disruptions."

Persons: Brent, Trafigura, Yemen's Organizations: . West Texas, Commodities, ANZ, Middle, Organization of, Petroleum Locations: Bakersfield, Kern County , California, Yemen, Middle East, Russia, OPEC

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