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☆ 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 ,

☆ Taipei protests against Beijing’s ‘unilateral’ change of flight path closer to sensitive median line
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Taipei, Taiwan CNN —Taiwan has protested against China’s “unilateral” adjustment of civil aviation flight routes that could result in civilian aircraft flying closer to the sensitive Taiwan Strait median line, adding pressure on Taipei in its aviation safety and aerial defense. This means all southbound flights will no longer need to veer off six nautical miles to the west from the designated route – as agreed by Beijing and Taipei in 2015 – and can now fly on the original path, bringing the aircraft closer to the median line and the Taipei Flight Information Region. In 2015, China unilaterally declared the operation of M503 route, prompting protests from Taipei. After negotiations with Taipei, Beijing agreed at the time to move the route six nautical miles to the west of its original path. The median line dividing China and Taiwan has been a tacit understanding between both sides not bound by any legal pact.

Persons: China’s, ” Organizations: Taiwan CNN, China’s Civil Aviation Administration, Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration, Mainland Affairs Council, MAC, Communist Party Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Beijing, Shanghai, China, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Fujian province, Matsu, Taiwan Strait

☆ Heavy Fog Suspends Shipping at Chinese Ports; Shanghai Issues Heightened Advisory
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - Heavy fog has suspended the operation of ships travelling through the Qiongzhou Strait off the coast of China's Guangdong province and several cities, including Shanghai, have issued warning advisories, Chinese state media reported on Wednesday. China has a three-tier colour-coded warning system for thick fog, with red being the most serious, followed by orange and yellow. CCTV also reported that more than 100 airports across the country issued haze and snow warnings. Heavy snow is also affecting several provinces, including Henan and Hubei, forcing the closure of several roads, CCTV reported. Chinese weather forecasters have warned that snow and freezing rain over the next several days is expected to hamper transportation for millions of Chinese as they travel across the country for the Chinese New Year.

Persons: Bernard Orr, Stephen Coates Organizations: Shanghai Central Meteorological Locations: BEIJING, Qiongzhou, China's Guangdong, Shanghai, Port, Guangxi, China, Henan, Hubei

☆ Taiwan Air Force Shows off Its Sub Hunting, Early Warning Prowess
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Fabian HamacherPINGTUNG, Taiwan (Reuters) - Taiwan's air force showed off its armed-to-the-teeth submarine hunters and early warning and control aircraft on Tuesday, demonstrating how it keeps watch on the skies and waters around the Chinese-claimed island. Taiwan's air force, dwarfed by China's but well-armed with mostly U.S. equipment, has been at the front lines of responding to these missions and regularly scrambles to shadow and warn away Chinese aircraft and ships. On a defence ministry-organised media visit to the Pingtung air base in southern Taiwan, the air force displayed its Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion anti-submarine aircraft and Northrop Grumman-built E-2K Hawkeye early warning and control aircraft. The air force also conducted flybys with one of their E-2K Hawkeye aircraft. Taiwan has reported Chinese warships and warplanes frequently passing through the Bashi Channel.

Persons: Fabian Hamacher PINGTUNG, Lockheed Martin, Crews, Tsai Tsung, Fabian Hamacher, Ben Blanchard, William Maclean Organizations: Lockheed, Northrop Grumman, U.S . Navy, Hawkeye Locations: Taiwan, China, Taipei, Philippines, Pacific . Taiwan

☆ Oil edges up as geopolitical concerns support prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices rose in early trade on Tuesday as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to fuel supply concerns. "If U.S.-Iran tensions escalate, particularly through a direct confrontation, the risk rises that Iran's oil supply is adversely impacted. Iran exported 1.2-1.6 million barrels per day of crude oil through most of 2023, Dhar added, representing 1-1.5% of global oil supply. The key concern is Iran threatening a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which sees the transit of 15-20% of global oil supply," he added. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil and distillates inventories were expected to have fallen last week while gasoline stocks were seen rising, a Reuters poll showed.

Persons: Brent, Vivek Dhar, Dhar Organizations: . West Texas, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, U.S, ANZ, Traders, Federal, Market, American Petroleum Institute, Energy Information Administration, U.S . Department of Energy Locations: Hong Kong, China, Washington, Jordan, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Hormuz, Red, U.S

☆ Walking away from Ukraine would be an 'own goal' as the war hollows out the army Putin spent decades building, CIA chief says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewShould the US walk away from the war in Ukraine and abandon it as it attempts to fend off the Russians, it'll be it'll be an "own goal of historic proportions," the CIA director said. Russia's defense industry is on a war footing, and support from pariah states like North Korea and Iran is fueling its war efforts. There are many benefits for the US to continue supporting Ukraine, Burns noted, a "relatively modest investment with significant geopolitical returns." During a Washington, DC visit, the Ukrainian leader pleaded for more US aid and explained that if Russia took Ukraine, Putin wouldn't stop there. The latest aid package to Ukraine has been on hold since October, when Republicans blocked it, along with assistance to Israel.

Persons: —, it'll, William J, Burns, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump's Organizations: Service, CIA, Republicans, Business, Foreign Affairs, Ukraine, Anadolu, Getty, NATO, Democrats Locations: Ukraine, Russia, North Korea, Iran, handout, Taiwan Strait, There's, United States, Washington, Ukrainian, Israel

☆ Beijing intensifies military pressure on Taiwan as U.S.-China talks resume
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

From 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday local time, China sent 33 military aircraft and six naval vessels toward Taiwan, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry. For example, at their meeting, Sullivan and Wang confirmed the plan to launch a collaborative U.S.-China "Counternarcotics Working Group" on Tuesday to address the fentanyl crisis. The contentious issue comes up at nearly every U.S.-China meeting, including the high-profile talks between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November. China's military pressure on Taiwan comes during what senior administration officials have called "a period of higher tension." Lai was China's least favorite candidate due to his support of maintaining Taiwan's status quo.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan, Wang Yi, Sullivan, Wang, Mr, Lai Ching, Lai Organizations: U.S, Foreign, Taiwan's Defense Ministry, Democratic Progressive Party, U.S . Locations: Filoli, U.S ., California, Beijing, Taiwan, China, Taiwan Strait, U.S, United States, PRC, Bangkok

But the meeting failed to resolve any of their major differences, many of which have international implications. In a White House statement Saturday on the meeting, Sullivan stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and in recent years has shown its displeasure at political activities in Taiwan by sending military planes and ships. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party largely campaigned on self-determination, social justice and a rejection of China’s threats. Sullivan highlighted that although Washington and Beijing are in competition, both sides have to “prevent it from veering into conflict or confrontation,” it added.

Persons: Wang Yi, Jake Sullivan, Wang, Joe Biden, ” Wang, Sullivan, Xi Jinping, Lai Ching Organizations: BEIJING, U.S . National, Democratic Progressive Party, U.S, China - Locations: Washington, Taiwan, Thai, China, U.S, Bangkok, Malta, Vienna, Taiwan Strait, Ukraine, East, North Korea, South China, Myanmar, Beijing

☆ Australia marks national day that stokes patriotism and anger
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Angus Watson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Sydney CNN —“Australia Day is Dead!” Indigenous activist Gwenda Stanley chants into the loudspeaker, as a crowd of thousands breaks into applause. This is not a day to celebrate.”Nearby, Kevin Shaw-Taylor agrees January 26 is “absolutely not” an appropriate day for national celebrations. On the other side of the city, the Australia Day party was in full swing. A yacht sails in Sydney Harbor to mark Australia Day on January 16, 2024. Instead of guilt on Australia Day, a vast number of Australians “associate it with summer fun,” says Bongiorno, from the ANU.

Persons: Gwenda Stanley, It’s, Lynda, June Coe, Jenny Evans, ”, Grace, Elise, Kevin Shaw, Taylor, Arthur Phillip, Dan Himbrechts, EFE, Frank Bongiorno, –, Asanka Ratnayake, Chelsea Watego, “, Peter Dutton, ” Dutton, Dutton, Brad Banducci, Banducci, ” Banducci, Captain Cook, Queen Victoria, Queen, Diego Fedele, “ I’m, UQ’s, we’ve, we’re Organizations: Sydney CNN —, Indigenous, “, CNN, Australia, First Nations, Sydney, British Royal Navy, Australian National University, ANU, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islanders, Voters, Nations, Curumba, Sea, Indigenous Voice, Coalition, Woolworths, Sovereign Movement, Blak Locations: Sydney, “ Australia, Belmore, Sydney’s, Australia, Sydney Harbor, Melbourne, Queensland, Queen Victoria

☆ Taiwan's political disrupter could be kingmaker in a split parliament. Here's why it matters
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je speaks during an interview in New Taipei City on December 12, 2023. He urged his disappointed young supporters, some of them crying, not to give up, and framed himself as a one-man social movement crusading for political change. Since this social movement has not fully materialized, let's keep working hard," the former Taipei City Mayor told supporters in Mandarin. That kind of populist messaging appeals to people who feel like Taiwan's current economic and political system is not benefiting them. Taiwan's young and restlessIn any case, Taiwan's two major parties now face a battle to cater to younger voters that could come at the expense of older votes or a focus on broader strategic interests.

Persons: Ko Wen, Cheng, we'll, Ko, let's, Wei, Ting Yen, Sara Newland, Taiwan's, Newland, Lai Ching, Taiwan People's Party —, —, Yuan, Beijing's, Tsai Ing, Annice Lyn, Xi Jinping, Lily, Hwa CHENG, HWA CHENG, Ho Organizations: Taiwan People's Party, AFP, Getty, TAIPEI, Taipei City Mayor, Democratic Progressive Party, Kuomintang, Franklin, Marshall College, CNBC, Sara Newland Smith, Ko's, Taipei, KMT, Smith College, National Taiwan University, Democratic, Chinese Communist Party, HWA, Afp, Sunflower Movement Locations: Taiwan, New Taipei City, China, Taipei, Xinzhuang, AFP

☆ China Is Cynically Exploiting U.S. Protection of Shipping Lanes - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Isaac Kardon | Jennifer Kavanagh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

There has been plenty of hand-wringing in the West about the prospect of China displacing — or at least rivaling — the United States as the world’s leading superpower. But the evolving security crisis in the Red Sea makes clear that this remains a distant prospect. China, with a trade-led economy dependent on the free flow of commerce through chokepoints like the Bab el-Mandeb strait off Yemen, relies on the United States to protect international sea lanes. Instead, it seems content to largely sit back and offer veiled criticism of the U.S. military response. Beijing is playing a cynical game, free-riding on the same American power that it holds in contempt, trying to have it both ways.

Organizations: U.S Locations: China, United States, chokepoints, Yemen, U.S, East, Europe, Red, Djibouti, Beijing

☆ China says US military makes region more dangerous after Navy ship sails through Taiwan Strait
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —China accused the United States military of “abusing international law” and continuing a pattern of “dangerous provocations” in East Asia Thursday, after a US Navy destroyer made the service’s first transit of the Taiwan Strait of 2024. The USS John Finn (DDG 113) conducts routine operations in the East China Sea, on January 24, 2024. John Finn’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle,” Greene said. While the John Finn’s transit of the Taiwan Strait was the first of 2024, US warships and warplanes regularly travel through and over the waterway. Aquilino told a defense forum in Hawaii that he expected a show of force from China against Taiwan in the wake of the election result.

Persons: ”, John Finn, Xi Jinping, reunify, Justin Stack, Cmdr, Meagan Greene, John Finn’s, ” Greene, John, Collin Koh, Washington, Wu Qian, “, John Aquilino, Aquilino, ” Aquilino, ” Koh Organizations: South Korea CNN, United, US Navy, Democratic Progressive Party, Party, Taiwan, Taiwan Relations, U.S . Navy US Navy 7th Fleet, Coast Guard, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, China’s Defense Ministry, Xinhua, China -, Defense, Pacific Command, Communist Party, Clinton, CNN, Pacific Locations: Seoul, South Korea, China, United States, East Asia, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan, Beijing, East China, State, States, Singapore, China - U.S, U.S, Hawaii, Honolulu ., Washington

☆ U.S. Navy sends first warship through Taiwan Strait post-election
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A view of the US Navy's aircraft carrier the USS Gerald R. Ford, the 'world's largest warship.' The United States Navy sailed its first warship through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Wednesday following presidential and parliamentary elections on the island, drawing the ire of Beijing. The U.S. Navy said the destroyer USS John Finn transited through a corridor in the Taiwan Strait that was "beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state". "John Finn's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle," the U.S. Navy said in its statement. The U.S. Navy's last announced passage of a warship through the strait was in early November, joined that time by a Canadian frigate.

Persons: Gerald R, Ford, John Finn, John, Navy's, Mario Diaz Balart, Ami Bera Organizations: United States Navy, The U.S . Navy, U.S . Navy, U.S ., Eastern Theatre Command, U.S . House, Representatives Taiwan Caucus, Republican, Democratic Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, The, John Finn's, United States, U.S, Canadian, Taipei, China

☆ China Slams US 'Provocation' in Taiwan Strait, Pledges Further Drills
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - China criticised the United States on Thursday for causing "trouble and provocation" after the U.S. Navy sailed its first warship through the sensitive Taiwan Strait since presidential and parliamentary elections on the island. China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. The U.S. Navy said the destroyer USS John Finn transited through a corridor in the Taiwan Strait that was "beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state". Wu said China's response in driving away the ship was "justified, reasonable, professional and restrained". Wu added that China's military will "continue to organise relevant military operations" around the Taiwan Strait on a regular basis as part of its training, as analysts predict frequent drills in the run-up to Taiwan President-elect William Lai's inauguration in May.

Persons: Wu Qian, John Finn, Wu, William Lai's, Dong Jun, Liz Lee, Laurie Chen, Greg Torode, Nick Macfie Organizations: U.S . Navy, Defence Ministry, Chinese Defence, U.S ., Pentagon, Indian, Reuters Locations: BEIJING, China, United States, Taiwan, U.S, Washington, Philippines, Spratly, Manila, South, India, New Delhi, Gaza, Beijing, Hong Kong

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A bipartisan delegation from the United States Congress reaffirmed support for Taiwan during a visit Thursday, following the election of its new president. The delegation’s visit is the first from U.S. lawmakers to the island since the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party won a third-straight term in the Jan. 13 presidential election. Beijing strongly condemned Lai Ching-te's election and appears set to continue its policy of refusing to engage with the island’s government — a practice that's been in place since Tsai Ing-wen’s election in 2016. “The support of the United States for Taiwan is firm. President-elect Lai thanked the visiting co-chairs of the U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus for their visit, saying that “today’s Taiwan is a Taiwan of the world."

Persons: Lai Ching, that's, Tsai Ing, Mario Díaz Balart, Ami Bera, " Bera, “, Balart, ”, Bera, Lai, Hsiao Bi, President Tsai, Nancy Pelosi Organizations: United, Congress, Taiwan, Democratic Progressive Party, U.S, Florida Republican, California, U.S . Congressional Taiwan Caucus Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, U.S, China, Beijing, United States, Florida, “, Washington

SYDNEY (AP) — Thousands of Australians protested the anniversary of British colonization of their country with large crowds Friday urging for Australia Day to be moved and for a day of mourning on the holiday some call "Invasion Day." The holiday marks the arrival of 11 British ships carrying convicts at Port Jackson in present-day Sydney on Jan. 26, 1788. For many activists, the day marked the beginning of a sustained period of discrimination and expulsion of Indigenous people from their land without a treaty. Large crowds in Sydney chanted for the Australia Day date to be moved. The government had proposed the first constitutional change since 1977 as a step forward in Indigenous rights.

Persons: James Cook, resoundingly, Anthony Albanese Organizations: SYDNEY, Australia, Port Jackson, Sydney, Torres Strait Locations: Port, Sydney, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, Asia, asia

☆ US Navy shoots down Houthi missiles targeting US-flagged commercial ship
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The USS Gravely, which was nearby at the time, shot down two of the missiles and one landed in the water, the officials said. There were no injuries or damage to the ship, CENTCOM said in a statement. The ships turned back from their planned voyage after seeing “explosions” on their way toward the Red Sea on Wednesday, according to the company. “While en route, both ships reported seeing explosions close by and the US Navy accompaniment also intercepted multiple projectiles,” Maersk said in a statement shared with CNN. “The crew, ship, and cargo are safe and unharmed.”Following the explosions, the US Navy turned both ships around and is escorting them back to the Gulf of Aden, according to Maersk.

Persons: Houthis, CENTCOM, ” Maersk, “, CNN’s Catherine Nicholls Organizations: CNN, US Navy, Maersk, US Central Command, Maersk Detroit, Chesapeake, US Maritime Security Program, VISA, Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Locations: Iran, Maersk Detroit, Gulf, Aden, Yemen

☆ China doesn't have the military power to successfully invade Taiwan, the majority of 52 US experts said in a survey
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The CSIS surveyed 52 US experts on whether they think China can successfully invade Taiwan. AdvertisementA new survey of leading experts from the US and Taiwan casts doubt on China's ability to invade Taiwan with its current military strength. CSIS also surveyed 35 experts from Taiwan, of whom only 17% said they felt China had the power to successfully execute an invasion. China could also impose a military blockade on Taiwan, which 81% of US experts believe Beijing could do, while 60% of the experts from Taiwan concurred. Around 68% of American experts think such a crisis is likely to occur.

Persons: —, China —, William Lai Ching, Tsai Ing, Xi Jinping, Ma Ying, ROSLAN RAHMAN, Lai Organizations: CSIS, Service, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Liberation Army, Democratic Progressive Party, Kuomintang, Getty Locations: China, Taiwan, Beijing, Congress, Washington, Taipei . Lai

☆ Taiwan President-Elect Says He Hopes for Continued Firm US Support
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan president-elect Lai Ching-te said on Thursday he hopes that the United States can continue to firmly support Taiwan, as he met the first group of U.S. lawmakers to visit Taipei since he won an election earlier this month. "I also hope that the two co-chairs and our friends in the U.S. Congress can continue to support Taiwan in bolstering its self-defence capabilities." Diaz-Balart told Lai his main message was that U.S. support for Taiwan was firm, real and "100% bipartisan". "Rest assured that you have the support of the United States Congress," he said. China has repeatedly warned the United States to stop its support for Taiwan and the issue is a constant irritant in Sino-U.S. relations.

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai, Mario Diaz, Ami Bera, Diaz, Balart, Tsai Ing, Joe Biden, Ben Blanchard, Kim Coghill, Michael Perry, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, U.S . House, Representatives Taiwan Caucus, Republican, Balart, Democratic, ., U.S, Congress, United States Congress Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, United States, U.S, Taipei, China

☆ China Military Says US Destroyer in Taiwan Strait 'Hyped' up Passage
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's military said it organized troops to follow and monitor a U.S. destroyer that transited through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, according to a statement. A spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army said the USS John Finn destroyer "openly hyped" up the passage, in a statement released late Wednesday. "Recently, the U.S. military has frequently carried out provocative acts and maliciously undermined regional peace and stability. The troops in the theater are on high alert at all times and resolutely defend national sovereignty," the spokesperson said. (Reporting by Bernard Orr and Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Chris Reese)

Persons: John Finn, Bernard Orr, Chris Reese Organizations: Eastern Theater Command, People's Liberation Army, U.S . Locations: BEIJING, U.S, Taiwan Strait, Shanghai

☆ U.S. Lawmakers Arrive in Taiwan in Post-Election Show of Support
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

The two members of Congress plan to engage with senior officials and business leaders during their visit. Lai Ching-te from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the Jan. 13 presidential election and will take office on May 20. China views visits by U.S. officials to Taiwan as sending an encouraging signal to the pro-independence camp on the island. Taiwan's government says Beijing has no right to speak for the island's people or represent them on the world stage. The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, and a major arms supplier to Taipei.

Persons: Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Mario Diaz Balart, Ami Bera, Lai Ching, Lai, Patricia Zengerle, Sandra Maler Organizations: U.S . House, Representatives Taiwan Caucus, Republican, Democratic, Democratic Progressive Party, U.S Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, United States, China, Beijing

JERUSALEM (AP) — Iran is “very directly involved” in ship attacks that Yemen's Houthi rebels have carried out during Israel's war against Hamas, the U.S. Navy's top Mideast commander told The Associated Press on Monday. The tempo of Houthi attacks on shipping appears to have slowed for the time being as the U.S. and its allies have increased their naval patrols in the region. A series of attacks blamed on Iran and ship seizures by Tehran followed the collapse of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. However, Cooper maintained Iran had been directly fueling the Houthi attacks on shipping. There’s no secret there.”Cooper described the ship attacks striking the Mideast as the worst since the so-called Tanker War of the 1980s.

Persons: Yemen's, Adm, Brad Cooper, Cooper, ”, Houthi, that's, Israel —, they’re resourcing, ” Cooper, George Wikoff Organizations: JERUSALEM, Hamas, Associated Press, AP, United Nations, U.S ., Fleet, United, United Arab Emirates, 5th Fleet, Navy, military's, Command Locations: Iran, U.S, Tehran, Aden, Persian, Hormuz, Yemen's, Sanaa, Iranian, Suez, Asia, Europe, Saudi, Israel, Africa's, Egypt, Gulf, Gaza, Washington, America, American, Yemen, Abu Dhabi, United Arab, Bahrain

☆ Surging U.S. oil production may set a record in 2024, shielding consumers from Mideast war and pressuring OPEC
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Supply is forecast to grow by 1.5 million barrels per day to a new high of 103.5 million barrels per day, according to the IEA. Demand will grow by 1.2 million barrels daily, down from 2.3 million in 2023, with the post-pandemic recovery over and major economies set to slow. WTI and Brent closed out 2023 down more than 10% and OPEC+ production cuts have so far failed to lift prices. Goldman Sachs, for example, says oil prices could double if there is a prolonged disruption to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. 'Golden era' Stronger U.S. oil production in 2023 surprised even oil industry CEOs such as Chevron's Wirth and Occidental's Vicki Hollub, they told CNBC in recent interviews.

Persons: Michael Wirth, Wirth, CNBC's Brian Sullivan, Goldman Sachs, Walt Chancellor, Daniel Yergin, Brent, Adi Imsirovic, Imsirovic, Yergin, Bob Yawger, Yawger, Matt Smith, Smith, Chevron's Wirth, Occidental's Vicki Hollub, I'm, Macquarie, Chancellor, Hollub, — Organizations: P, Energy Information Agency, Chevron, P Global, CNBC, Economic, West Texas, Center for Strategic, International Studies, OPEC, Bank of America, Oil, International Energy Agency, IEA, Brent, Mizuho, Gulf, Americas, Western Hemisphere Locations: East, U.S, Macquarie, Davos, Switzerland, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, OPEC, Brazil, Guyana, Americas, Europe, Red, Kpler, Iran, Hormuz

☆ Iranian and Hezbollah commanders help direct Houthi attacks in Yemen, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Luke Dray | Getty ImagesCommanders from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Lebanon's Hezbollah group are on the ground in Yemen helping to direct and oversee Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, four regional and two Iranian sources told Reuters. In his weekly news conferences, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has repeatedly denied Tehran is involved in the Red Sea attacks by the Houthis. Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam denied any Iranian or Hezbollah involvement in helping to direct the Red Sea attacks. The person said Iranian commanders had travelled to Yemen as well and set up a command centre in the capital Sanaa for the Red Sea attacks which is being run by the senior IRGC commander responsible for Yemen. Mohammed Hamoud | Getty ImagesAccording to two former Yemeni army sources, there is a clear presence of IRGC and Hezbollah members in Yemen.

Persons: Luke Dray, Washington, Nasser Kanaani, Houthi, Mohammed Abdulsalam, Saleh al, Samad, Mohammed Hamoud, Abdulaziz al, Sager, Adrienne Watson, Abdulghani, Abdulsalam, Bashar al, Assad, Ali Khamenei Organizations: Getty, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Hezbollah, Reuters, Hamas, Foreign, Guards, Gulf Research, White House, U.S, Sana'a Center, Strategic Studies, Iranian Guards Locations: Djibouti, Yemen, Iran, Gaza, Israel, Tehran, Sana'a, Saudi, Asia, Europe, Gaza ., Lebanese, Iraq, Syria, Iranian, Bab, Sanaa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Washington, Gulf, Islam

☆ Taiwan Says It Spots Six More Chinese Balloons, One Crossed Island
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said it had detected six more Chinese balloons flying over the Taiwan Strait on Sunday, one of which crossed the island, the latest in a spate of such balloons the ministry says it has seen over the past month-and-a-half. China's defence ministry, which last month declined to comment on the balloons, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, only one crossed Taiwan island, at its southern tip, according to a map the ministry provided. The other five balloons flew to the north of Taiwan but did not fly over land, the ministry said. The Taiwan Strait's median line previously served as an unofficial barrier between Taiwan and China, but Chinese fighter jets, drones and now balloons regularly fly over it.

Persons: Taiwan's Jan, Ben Blanchard, Stephen Coates Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan Strait, China, Taiwan, Taipei, United States

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