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☆ China to offer Taliban tariff-free trade as it inches closer to isolated resource-rich regime
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-25 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, China — China will offer the Taliban tariff-free access to its vast construction, energy and consumer sectors, Beijing’s envoy to Afghanistan said on Thursday, as the ailing resource-rich but diplomatically-isolated regime looks to build up its markets. “China will offer Afghanistan zero-tariff treatment for 100% tariff lines,” Zhao Xing, Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan, wrote on his official X account late on Thursday, above a photo of him meeting acting deputy prime minister Abdul Kabir. The country exported no commodities to China last year, the data shows, but Zhao has regularly posted photos of him meeting Taliban officials responsible for mining, petroleum, trade and regional connectivity since his appointment last September. “In the Horn of Africa, China’s Special Envoy Xue Bing said that the best way to resolve security and terrorism challenges is through economic development. I think they are bringing that same mindset to Afghanistan,” said Eric Orlander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project.

Persons: Zhao Xing, Abdul Kabir, Zhao, Xue Bing, ”, Eric Orlander Organizations: “ Locations: BEIJING, China, Afghanistan, Beijing, Xinjiang, Pakistan, of Africa

☆ Somalia beach attack kills 32 civilians, police say
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

At least 32 civilians were killed and 63 injured in an explosion on a popular beach in the Somali capital Mogadishu late on Friday evening, police said, an attack blamed by Somali state media on the militant Islamist group al Shabaab. There was no immediate claim of responsibility by the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab, which has claimed similar attacks in the past, including the car bomb attack in 2022. Police spokesperson Abdifatah Aden gave the death toll in Friday evening’s explosion at a beach restaurant. In addition to the civilians killed, Aden said that one of the attackers had blown himself up while three others had been killed by security forces. Al Shabaab controlled a vast area of Somalia before being pushed back in government counteroffensives since 2022.

Persons: Abdifatah Aden, Aden, SONNA, al, Hassan Farah, “, ”, Shabaab, Hassan Ali Khaire Organizations: Police, Reuters Locations: Somali, Mogadishu, Shabaab, Horn of Africa, Somalia

☆ The Chinese Base That Isn’t There
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-14 | by ( Agnes Chang | Hannah Beech | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +10 min

Security gate Chinese-funded buildup CAMBODIA Chinese warship CAMBODIA CAMBODIA Dry dock and other repair facilities Before After China insists it is not building a naval base in Cambodia. CHINA Ream, CambodiaThe Chinese Base That Isn’t There New facilities and the months-long presence of Chinese warships show Beijing’s growing global influence. In 2020, something curious happened at Cambodia’s Ream military base, on the Gulf of Thailand. The Chinese military presence near one of the world’s most vital sea lanes raises fundamental questions about Beijing’s ambitions. “The Ream military base is Cambodia’s, not the military base of any country,” Mey Dina, the commander of the base, told The New York Times.

Persons: CHINA, —, ”, Jan, John, “ We’re, Lloyd J, Austin III, ” Mey Dina, Mey Dina, Xi Jinping, dredgers, Ream, Gregory B, Poling, ‘ Ream, Xi, Hun Sen, Mr, Hun Sen’s, Hun Manet Organizations: U.S . Defense Department, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University, Agence France, Navy, Planet Labs, Ream, Pentagon, New York Times, China’s, China’s Djibouti Naval, Basketball, Djibouti ETHIOPIA Perimeter, NAM Ream, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Cambodian, Congressional Research Service, White, AMERICA Ports, SOUTH AMERICA SRI LANKA, China, China ASIA EUROPE CHINA AFRICA Djibouti Ream SRI LANKA, United States Military Academy Locations: CAMBODIA CAMBODIA, China, Cambodia, CHINA Ream, Thailand, Ream, South China, American, Cambodian, U.S, People’s Republic, China’s, Djibouti, Horn of Africa, China’s Djibouti, YEMEN Djibouti, Djibouti ETHIOPIA, THAILAND, Cambodia Malacca, Africa, Asia, Southeast Asia, Djibouti Ream Africa, ASIA EUROPE, China CHINA AFRICA Djibouti, AUSTRALIA, China ASIA EUROPE CHINA AFRICA Djibouti, United States, Spratlys

☆ At Least 49 Dead After Migrant Boat Sinks Off Yemen
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

CAIRO — The sinking of a boat carrying migrants off the coast of Yemen has left at least 49 people dead and 140 missing, the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration said on Tuesday. It said search efforts were continuing and so far 71 had been rescued. The statement counted 31 women and six children among the dead. Yemen is a major route for migrants from the East Africa and the Horn of Africa trying to reach Gulf countries for work. Despite a nearly decadelong civil war in Yemen, the number of migrants arriving annually tripled from 2021 to 2023, soaring to over 90,000 from about 27,000, the International Organization for Migration said last month.

Organizations: United Nations ’ International Organization for Migration, International Organization for Migration Locations: CAIRO, Yemen, Somalia, Aden, East Africa, Africa

☆ Djibouti fights deadly malaria wave with GMO mosquitoes
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Genetically engineered mosquitoes have been released in the tiny East African country of Djibouti to combat a surge in malaria infections caused by an invasive vector. Unlike most malaria-transmitting mosquitoes in Africa that breed in rural areas, Anopheles Stephensi thrives in urban environments, intensifying the public health challenge for predominantly urban Djibouti. “This mosquito poses a huge threat to our fight against malaria,” said Grey Frandsen, CEO of US-owned biotechnology firm Oxitec, which developed the gene-modified mosquitoes released in Djibouti. ‘Using mosquitoes to fight mosquitoes’Dubbed a method that “uses mosquitoes to fight mosquitoes”, Oxitec’s genetic technology targets female mosquitoes, which are predominantly responsible for malaria transmission. Although the rollout of genetically modified mosquitoes in Djibouti is only the second in Africa, the idea is drawing more interest on the continent.

Persons: Anopheles, Stephensi, ”, Grey Frandsen, “ Anopheles, Ahmed Robleh Abdilleh, Oxitec, ” Abdilleh, Frandsen, Melinda Gates, “, Yoweri Museveni Organizations: CNN, WHO, Melinda Gates Foundation, World Health Organization Locations: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Horn of Africa, Africa, “, Brazil, Burkina Faso

☆ Sudden container crunch sends ocean freight rates soaring, setting off global trade alarm bells
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

AFP Contributor | AFP | Getty ImagesA perfect storm in global trade is creating a shipping container capacity crunch, fueling a sudden and surprise spike in ocean freight rates. Xeneta ocean freight rates show the rallying spot market and the widening spread between spot and long-term rates. An increase in ocean freight rejections shows the imbalance. Logistics price increases are ultimately passed onto the consumer and the dizzying freight rates during the pandemic were among factors cited by the Federal Reserve as a cause of inflation. The International Chamber of Shipping, which represents major ocean carriers, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Emily Stausbøll, Stausbøll, Goetz Alebrand, Alebrand, Judah Levine, Freightos, Levine, Wan Hai, HLS, Drewry, Jonathan Gold Organizations: AFP, Getty, U.S ., Xeneta, DHL, Shipping, Americas, DHL Global, CNBC, Federal Reserve, Orient Star Group, MSC, Chamber of Shipping, Honour, Carriers, Maritime Locations: Qingdao, Shandong province, AFP, Asia, U.S . West Coast, U.S, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Panama, Latin America, Europe, Chongqing, East Asia, South America, Africa, U.S . East Coast

☆ Yemen's Houthi rebels are menacing ships on the high seas
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewHouthi militants showed in late April that they can expand their war on international shipping far beyond the Red Sea. AdvertisementHe noted that the Shehab's reported range of 990 miles puts it "well within range" of international shipping. The British-registered cargo ship 'Rubymar' sank in March after it was targeted by Yemen's Houthi forces in the Red Sea. "Once they enter the Red Sea, though, ships can be tracked by spotters ashore or on boats or using mobile Houthi radars ashore. "Nevertheless, with the rate of Houthi advances, and increases in speed, control, and maneuverability in-transit, international shipping could soon prove vulnerable."

Persons: —, Good Hope, Bryan Clark, James Patton Rogers, Rogers, Samad, Yemen's, Mohammed Hamoud, Clark Organizations: Service, MSC Orion, Business, Hudson Institute, Cornell Tech Policy Institute, US, EU, AIS, Orion, Ships Locations: of Africa, Africa's, Good, Red, Ukraine, Israel

☆ Kenya floods: Maasai Mara visitors stranded as death toll nears 200
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Larry Madowo | Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Staff and visitors have been left stranded and buildings submerged at Kenya’s famous Maasai Mara nature reserve, as the death toll in catastrophic flooding in the country’s southwest rose to at least 188 people. Local authorities ordered some tourist facilities in the National Reserve to close after River Talek, one of the tributaries of the Mara River, burst its banks and swept through more than a dozen riverside tourist lodges and camps. In Maasai Mara, camp owners were told to leave the affected properties and “move to higher ground further away from River Talek,” governor of Narok county Patrick Ole Ntutu said on Wednesday. Parts of Maasai Mara National Reserve were left submerged by the flooding. Authorities said they had deployed two helicopters to rescue stranded tourists and local staff around the national reserve after receiving distress calls.

Persons: Mai Mahiu, Isaac Mwaura, Susan Kihika, Mara, Patrick Ole Ntutu, Bobby Neptune, Luis Tato, Kipkech Lotiatia, Bush, James Apolloh Omenya, couldn’t, “, X, El Niño, Jagan Chapagain, ”, Nyagoah Tut Organizations: CNN — Staff, National Reserve, CNN, Mara National Reserve, Authorities, Cross, Paramilitary, ”, Youth Service, ” International Federation of Red, Red Crescent Societies, Human Rights, “ Kenyan Locations: Mara, Kenya, Nairobi, Mai, Nakuru County, ”, Narok, AFP, Talek, Kenya’s, Africa, East Africa, Tanzania, Burundi, “ Kenya, Nyagoah Tut Pur

☆ Crewless cargo? Autonomous shipping aims to overcome safety, trust concerns to reach mainstream
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Jonathan Keane | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The voyage was a test of an autonomous ship under AUTOSHIP, an EU-funded program to develop new technologies for navigating large vessels. The consortium brought together entities from academia and industry, including Kongsberg Maritime, the Norwegian giant that has been conducting deep research and development (R&D) on autonomous shipping. The trip marked a pivotal advancement in developing autonomous technology for shipping, which still faces many hurdles before it is ready for primetime. "Uniquely for autonomous technology, the hazards are hidden for the mariner by the sea. "Learning via mistake in a cargo ship environment can be costly, it can be dangerous," said J.C. Renshaw, head of supply chain consulting at Savills North America.

Persons: Markus Laurinen, Laurinen, Ville, SHI, Denmark's DNV, Leo McLeman, McLeman, J.C, Renshaw Organizations: Kongsberg Maritime, CNBC, Kongsberg Maritime's VP, Korea's Samsung Heavy Industry, Samsung, International Maritime Organization, Hydrographic Office, Savills Locations: Norway, EU, Norwegian, Kongsberg, America, Africa

Video shows RSF soldiers humiliating men from a village in Jazira state. Displaced people fleeing from Jazira state arrive in Gedaref, in the east of war-torn Sudan, on December 22, 2023. The RSF told him they would only return his car if he worked for them, Farouk recalled. Displaced people fleeing from Jazira state arrive in Gedaref, in the east of war-torn Sudan, on December 22, 2023. The RSF’s violent advances in Jazira state, their targeted destruction of warehouses, Sudan’s gene bank and irrigation systems will inevitably further exacerbate Sudan’s massive food shortages,” she said.

Persons: CNN —, “, Sudan’s, ”, Alex de Waal, Mohamed Badawi, Luis Tato, Sidiq Farouk, Farouk, ” Farouk, hasn’t, ‘, ’, Hala Al, Al Karib, Tomoya Obokata, Leni Kinzli, ” Kinzli, Omar Marzoug, geolocated, Waal, Médecins, Anette Hoffmann, You’re, ” CNN’s Benjamin Brown Organizations: CNN, Rapid Support Forces, Sudanese Armed Forces, SAF, United Nations, Peace Foundation, African Center for Justice, Peace Studies, Getty, Food Programme, UN Office, Humanitarian Affairs, UN, Hala, Initiative, Women, UNICEF, WFP, “, ” CNN, ”, Farmers ’ Alliance, Clingendael Institute, Agriculture Organization Locations: Al Jazira, Sudan’s, Darfur, Jazira, Sudan’s breadbasket Jazira, Sudan, Khartoum, of, Sudanese, Renk, South Sudan, AFP, Chad, Gedaref, Hala Al Karib, Horn of Africa, Omdurman, Al, of Africa

☆ CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, one of world's top ocean shippers, says the outlook has changed for global economy, trade demand
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

We saw them coming up a bit towards the end of the quarter, and then of course, the Red Sea crisis ... which again changed the market." Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, the world's fifth-largest ocean carrier, tells CNBC he has an improved view on trade for the rest of 2024. "It's a concerning situation and I think the [Red Sea] outlook is very difficult," Jansen said. In addition to the added costs, according to Sea-Intelligence, the Red Sea diversions could increase carbon dioxide emissions by 260%–354%. New ocean alliance with MaerskThe reduction in global freight and schedule reliability are headwinds ocean carriers have been facing for months.

Persons: Lloyd, Jansen, Rolf Habben Jansen, Hapag Lloyd, Hansen, it's, Lars Østergaard Nielsen, Nielsen, " Hansen Organizations: CNBC, Intelligence, EU, Trading, Maersk, Hapag, Gemini, Sea, MSC Locations: U.S, Asia, West Coast, East Coast, Gulf Coast, Red, Aden, Yemen, Africa, Europe, Suez, Panama, California

Reliable and affordable food and commodity imports are more important to a net food importer like Kenya than to some other countries. Perhaps more importantly, a critical part of the world's food supply system remains disrupted, undermining food security and raising the underlying costs of cross-border trade. The governments of Kenya and Ukraine are also working together on food security. Meanwhile, Russia's own efforts to play a part in rebuilding food security have been more a public relations exercise than real action. Although Russian sources have claimed that such shipments have begun, there is still little evidence of Russian food aid arriving in Africa.

Persons: Timothy Njagi Njeru, Kalya Kiptiony, Dr Abraham Korir SingOei, William Ruto, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia's, Dr Njeru, Lensa Omune Organizations: Tegemeo Institute, Kenyan, Initiative, Kenya's Ministry of Foreign, Diaspora Affairs, International Food Policy Research Institute, Insider Studios, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Locations: East Africa, Ukraine, Kenya, Russian, Nairobi, Russia, Africa, Horn, Port, Mombasa

☆ Somalia Faces ‘Pivotal Year’ as Crises Open on Several Fronts
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | Brian Otieno | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A 10-year defense and economic deal with Turkey to protect its seacoast and bolster its naval force. An agreement with the United States to construct five military bases for over $100 million. An enhanced defense cooperation accord with Uganda to boost the fight against the terrorist group Al Shabab. The three security pacts signed by Somalia in recent days underscore the increasing perils the Horn of Africa nation faces both internally and externally. Equally worrisome, tensions are growing between Somalia and its western neighbor, Ethiopia, over Somalia’s coastline — the longest in mainland Africa — threatening to set off a new conflict in a vital global shipping route in an increasingly volatile region.

Persons: Al Shabab Organizations: African Union Locations: Turkey, United States, Uganda, Somalia, of Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia’s, Africa

☆ Nikki Haley slams Trump for questioning her husband's military service and his whereabouts
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Haley criticized Trump for questioning her husband's whereabouts while he's deployed on active duty. The exchange comes as Haley and Trump fight to secure the GOP primary nomination in South Carolina. At a Saturday rally in Conway, South Carolina, Trump mockingly asked: "Where's her husband? Oh, he’s away. The former South Carolina governor slammed Trump for his comments at a separate rally in Gilbert, South Carolina.

Persons: Haley, Trump, he's, —, Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, He's, ” Trump, Where's, Michael Haley, ”, “, Michael, ” Michael, AfN3u4AsJc — Nikki Haley, @NikkiHaley Organizations: GOP, Service, South Carolina Army National Guard, South, Trump Locations: South Carolina, Conway , South Carolina, Horn of Africa, Gilbert , South Carolina, United States

Trump told a crowd in Conway, South Carolina, as he and Haley held events across the state ahead of its Feb. 24 Republican primary. Michael Haley began a yearlong stint in June with the South Carolina Army National Guard. Haley is being deployed as a staff officer with the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, which the National Guard says is providing support in the Horn of Africa. “Donald, if you have something to say, don’t say it behind my back. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Persons: GILBERT, S.C, Donald Trump, Nikki Haley’s, wasn't, Trump, Haley, He’s, ”, Michael, Sen, John McCain, weren’t, Michael Haley, Trump's, Nikki Haley's, Melania Trump, “ Donald, Haley’s surrogates, Chris Wooten, —, Pollard Organizations: National Guard, Republican, South Carolina Army National Guard, 218th, Enhancement Brigade, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Conway , South Carolina, Vietnam, Horn of Africa, Afghanistan, America

A special election in the suburbs of New York to replace disgraced former Rep. George Santos could offer clues about the mindset of suburban voters everywhere as 2024 election contests ramp up across the country. “This is a big concern for my district,” Pilip said. He had a comfortable victory in his last race in the district in 2020, defeating Santos, then a relatively unknown Republican. Another question that has loomed over the race has been whether the district will exist in its current form for much longer. The ruling was a major win for Democrats in the state who have angled for more favorable congressional districts.

Persons: George Santos, Santos, Tom Suozzi, Mazi Pilip, “, ”, Larry Levy, hasn’t, Pilip, Operation Solomon, Israel, hasn't, Joe Biden, ” Pilip, Suozzi, Biden, “ She’s, I'm, I’m, Donald Trump, Robert Zimmerman Organizations: Republicans, . Rep, Democrat, Republican, National Center for Suburban Studies, Hofstra University, New York City, Democratic, Wall, Democrats Locations: New York, New York City, Queens, Long, Ethiopia, Operation, Horn of Africa, Israel, Ukrainian, Nassau, New, U.S, Mexico, Suozzi

☆ Hillary Clinton and Sheryl Sandberg decry sexual violence as a war tactic
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Hillary Clinton, Sheryl Sandberg and a coalition of scholars, government officials and legal experts discussed Friday how to prevent sexual violence as a weapon of war. Israeli authorities have accused Hamas militants of committing widespread, systemic sexual violence as part of their attack. Despite mounting evidence from Israeli investigators and eyewitness sources, Hamas has repeatedly denied allegations that its fighters committed sexual violence during the attack. Matviichuk said sexual violence during the war in Ukraine is violence that “is directed to the whole Ukrainian society.”“The survivors of sexual violence feel shame because it happens with them,” Matviichuk said. “It is about understanding deeply, the very real ways that women and girls are impacted differently by global challenges including this challenge of conflict-related sexual violence,” Clinton said.

Persons: Hillary Clinton, Sheryl Sandberg, ” Clinton, Clinton, Obama, Sandberg, ” Sandberg, Jeffrey Gettleman, Hala, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Columbia School of International and Public Affairs Sandberg, Matviichuk, ”, ” Matviichuk, “, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Columbia School of International and Public Affairs Clinton’s, Columbia University –, ” Linda Thomas, we’re, ” Thomas Organizations: New, New York CNN, Columbia University’s Institute of Global Politics, Georgetown Institute for Women, Security, State, Facebook, Lean, UN, Columbia University, Global, New York Times, Strategic Initiative, Women, Center for Civil Liberties, Columbia School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia Locations: New York, Sudan, Darfur, Ukraine, Israel, Africa, Horn of Africa, Palestine

☆ Somali pirates are back on the attack at a level not seen in years, adding to global shipping threats
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Piracy off the coast of Somalia had been on the decline in recent years after peaking in 2011 when Somali pirates launched 212 attacks. A 2013 World Bank study, still widelt cited today, estimated that piracy cost the global economy around $18 billion annually. The pirates have also been attacking fishing vessels, mostly Iranian, as well as many other small boats such as skiffs. Ocean piracy is rising across the worldData from 2023 shows that by many key measures, piracy is on the rise in key global shipping lanes. There were 120 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery against ships reported in 2023, compared to 115 in 2022, according to the annual Piracy and Armed Robbery Report of the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

Persons: Abuukar Mohamed Muhidin, Dan Mueller Organizations: Puntland Maritime Police Forces, Getty Images, Royal United Services Institute, United Nations Security Council, European Union Naval Force, UNSC, Eastern, Chamber of Shipping, ICC International Maritime Bureau, International Maritime Organization, CNBC Locations: PUNTLAND, SOMALIA, Puntland, Somalia, Anadolu, Africa, Horn of Africa, U.S, Eastern Region, Djibouti

☆ Fresh From Battles Won With U.A.E. Arms, Sudanese General Takes Victory Lap
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Declan Walsh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, the leader of a notorious paramilitary force fighting for supremacy in Sudan’s civil war, is not the president of his country. Yet on a recent whirlwind tour of six African nations, he was treated just like one. Some of the continent’s most powerful leaders rolled out the red carpet for General Hamdan after he arrived on a luxury jet for meetings in late December and early January, having swapped his military fatigues for business suits. And in Rwanda, General Hamdan posed solemnly at a memorial to victims of the 1994 genocide — even though his own troops have faced accusations of genocide in Sudan’s Darfur region. The surprise tour was a remarkable comeback for a commander often rumored dead or wounded since Sudan plunged into war in April.

Persons: Mohamed Hamdan, Hamdan, Cyril Ramaphosa, General Hamdan, General Hamdan’s Organizations: General, General Hamdan’s Rapid Support Forces, United Arab, United Nations Locations: Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Sudan’s Darfur, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Persian, Horn of Africa

☆ Importers Face Surging Shipping Costs, Delays as Red Sea Diversions Pile Up
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Paul Berger | Costas Paris | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Red Sea is one of the most important shipping waterways in the world, but it’s also one of the most dangerous. Here’s how the cargo industry is responding to try and guard against attacks from the Houthis in Yemen. Illustration: Annie ZhaoWestern importers are reporting a steep rise in ocean-shipping rates and weekslong delays as carriers divert ships from the Red Sea to avoid Houthi rebel attacks. Some companies shipping goods on the crucial trade lane are starting to chafe at the rising prices and extra fees that ocean carriers are imposing for the higher cost of routing containerships on longer voyages around the Horn of Africa following drone and missile attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Persons: it’s, Annie Zhao, Houthi Locations: Yemen, of Africa

☆ Global shipping rates set to jump as carriers avoid the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Freight prices are set to jump Monday, while longer transit times around Africa are disrupting and delaying deliveries of products. British clothing retailer Next recently warned of stock delays as a result of the longer ocean transit. "This creates strong motivations for ocean carrier(s) to increase rate(s) by establishing General Rate Increases (GRIs), Peak Season Surcharge (PSSs), and other contingency or emergency surcharges," the company said. "HLS warned Transpacific freight rates could spike to highs not seen since early 2022, with the Suez Canal route suspended, and the Panama Canal route restricted." Kuehne + Nagel analysts told CNBC that 419 vessels are currently being rerouted due to the Red Sea situation.

Persons: Jon Gold, HLS, Good Hope, Kuehne, Nagel, Franziska Bietke, Mark Rhodes, Rhodes Organizations: Lane Shipping, Ikea, National Retail Federation, CNBC, MSC, U.S ., East, U.S . Shipping Act, Federal Maritime Commission, Kuehne, Logistics, Crane Worldwide Logistics, CNBC PRO Locations: Suez, Ismailia, Egypt, Iran, Red, Africa, Asia, British, West Coast, Panama, U.S . West Coast, East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, South Africa's, Good, Project44, Europe

☆ East Africa floods: More than 300 killed as heavy rains wreak havoc
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Bethlehem Feleke | Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The unusually heavy rains are largely caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon and are forecast to continue into the new year by the Kenya Meteorological Department. This phenomenon has been associated with severe flooding in eastern Africa, resulting in landslides, elevated waterborne diseases, and food shortages. Meanwhile, the northern and southern regions of the continent often endure prolonged periods of severe drought during El Niño events. That means the Horn of Africa may experience more drought as well as floods from heavy rain. In northern Tanzania, authorities said 49 people were killed by floods accompanied by mudslides following heavy rains in the country’s Manyara province.

Persons: William Ruto, Niño, Ruto, ”, Queen Sendiga, Samia Suluhu Hassan Organizations: CNN, Interior Ministry, Kenya Meteorological Department, Disaster, Communication, Somali, Afi, United, International Rescue Locations: East Africa, Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mombasa, El, Africa, COP28, Dubai, Horn of Africa, Manyara, Hagadera

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Somalia’s maritime police force on Thursday intensified patrols in the Red Sea following a failed pirate hijacking of a ship in the Gulf of Aden earlier this week. That is the first in many years and has led the Somali government to appeal for International support to deter a resurgence of piracy in the Horn of Africa. No assistance from the African Union Mission in Somalia, the European Union or any international assistance. Somalia had for years been blighted by piracy, with the peak being 2011, when the U.N. says more than 160 attacks were recorded off the Somali coast. The incidents have declined drastically since then, however, largely due to the presence of American and allied navies in international waters.

Persons: Abdullahi Mohamed Ahmed, Mason, ” Mohamed Organizations: Associated Press, U.S, Liberian, Zodiac Maritime, American, Pentagon, Somali, African, Mission, European Union Locations: NAIROBI, Kenya, Gulf, Aden, semiautonomous, Puntland, Shabab, Yemen U.S, of Eden, Israel, Somali, Horn of Africa, Puntland State, Somalia

☆ UN Security Council Due to Vote on Lifting Arms Embargo on Somalia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Michelle Nichols and Giulia ParaviciniUNITED NATIONS/NAIROBI (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council is due to vote on Friday to remove the final restrictions on weapons deliveries to Somalia's government and its security forces, diplomats said, more than 30 years after an arms embargo was first imposed on the country. The 15-member body is due to adopt two British-drafted resolutions on Friday, diplomats said - one to remove the full arms embargo on Somalia and another to reimpose an arms embargo on Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab militants. One of the draft resolutions spells out that "for the avoidance of doubt, that there is no arms embargo on the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia." Somalia's government had long asked for the arms embargo to be removed so it could beef up its forces to take on the militants. The Security Council began to partially start lifting measures Somalia's security forces in 2013.

Persons: Michelle Nichols, Giulia Paravicini, Mohamed Siad Barre, Al Shabaab, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, al, Grant McCool Organizations: Giulia Paravicini UNITED, United Nations Security, Government of, Security, Union Locations: Giulia Paravicini UNITED NATIONS, NAIROBI, Somalia, of Africa, Al Qaeda, Al Shabaab, Federal Republic of Somalia, Al, Somali, al Shabaab

☆ A showdown is brewing over money, oil and carbon. Here's what's at stake at the COP28 climate summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Global temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions continue to break records, with no continent left untouched by more frequent and intense extreme weather events. MoneyClimate finance is always a hotly debated talking point at the U.N. summit and COP28 promises to be no different. She anticipated three main debates around the use of oil, gas and coal — the burning of which is the chief driver of the climate crisis. "So, one is this 'phase out' or 'phase down' [of fossil fuels]. There is no credible scenario where CCS will allow continued use of fossil fuels, let alone expanding oil and gas.

Persons: Sean Gallup, HENRY NICHOLLS, Henry Nicholls, COP28, Alex Scott, Rich, Sultan al, Jaber, LUIS TATO, Luis Tato, Melanie Robinson, Robinson, Sultan Al Jaber, Francois Walschaerts Organizations: AG, Getty, United Arab Emirates, InterContinental, Fossil, Energy Intelligence, Afp, Organization for Economic Cooperation, Development, Getty Images, Abu, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Climate, World Resources Institute, CNBC, CCS Locations: Salzgitter, Germany, Dubai, Bonn, COP28, London, AFP, E3G, Egypt, COP27, UAE, Garissa, Africa, El Nino, Abu Dhabi, WRI, Brussels

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