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If you travel overseas, you'll soon find that your Asian Cup live streams will be interrupted due to geo-restrictions. Ultimately allowing you to access your usual AFC Asian Cup live streams, and other top-quality soccer and sport such as free AFCON live streams. Paramount Plus Essential (Monthly Plan) Paramount Plus' Essential tier is a steal at this price and only has limited ads. How to watch Asian Cup live streams in AustraliaLike in the US, Paramount Plus is the service you need to watch Asian Cup live streams in Australia. You'll need to set up an account to do so, but all that requires is your email address and away you go — free Asian Cup live streams!

Persons: you've, you'll, it's, ExpressVPN Organizations: AFC Asian, Jordan, Asian, Paramount Plus, AFC, Paramount, USA, Triller, Canada CBS's Paramount, CBS Sports Golazo, CBS, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, MTV, NFL, Champions League, Showtime, Sky Sports, Socceroos Locations: Qatar, Iran, China, India, Japan, Iraq, South Korea, USA, Australia, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, North America

BEIJING (AP) — China, the world’s biggest exporter, says it is deeply concerned about tensions in the Red Sea that have upended global trade by forcing many shippers to avoid the Suez Canal. Political Cartoons View All 253 Images“We are deeply concerned about the recent escalation of the Red Sea situation. The Red Sea is an important international trade route for goods and energy,” Wang said. Some of the world’s largest container shipping companies and oil giant BP have been sending vessels on longer journeys around Africa that bypass the Red Sea. In response to the growing impact on global trade, the United States and a host of other nations have created a new force to protect ships.

Persons: Wang Wenbin, ” Wang, Yemen’s, Israel —, Wang, Good Hope, “, ” Organizations: BEIJING, Foreign, Kiel Institute, Washington, U.S, United Nations Security Locations: China, Suez, Iran, Red, Iranian, Asia, Europe, Sanaa, Saudi, Israel, Gaza, United States, Africa, Good, Drewry, Germany, U.S, Iraq, Syria, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, East, Beijing, Yemen

☆ War in Ukraine shows a need to rethink air superiority, as it may only be possible in short bursts, top US Air Force officer says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The war in Ukraine has proven a need to rethink air superiority, the top US Air Force officer said. "Air superiority still matters — it may be for shorter periods of time because it's just unaffordable to do it for longer periods of time." For air operations, air supremacy means "the opposing force is incapable of effective interference," according to the Air Force, while air superiority means the military can conduct operations without significant "prohibitive interference" from air and missile threats. AdvertisementA Mig-29 fighter of the Ukrainian air force is seen on a mission in Ukraine's war-hit east Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. He emphasized that if this method is executed in short bursts, an air force can be "very effective" during that timeframe.

Persons: David Allvin, —, Allvin, it's, Keith James Organizations: US Air Force, Service, Air Force, AP, Staff, Pentagon Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, China, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Pacific

☆ U.S. Strikes 3 Sites in Iraq After Attack on Base
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

One of Israel’s war goals is to create conditions that will persuade Israeli evacuees that it is safe to return home. John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, repeated that objection on Tuesday, when asked at a White House news briefing about Israel’s moves to create a buffer zone. The majority of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged during the war, according to United Nations estimates, and more than 25,000 Gazans have been killed, according to Gazan officials. Israeli ministers have also hinted of plans to create such a buffer zone since the first weeks of the war. “No matter who you are, you will never be able to come close to the Israeli border,” Mr. Dichter said.

Persons: Israel, Gazan, Daniel Hagari, John Kirby, ” Mr, Kirby, Antony J, Mr, Blinken, we’ve, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Rajagopal, “, Eli Cohen, Avi Dichter, Dichter, Gabby Sobelman, Rawan Sheikh Ahmad, Erica L, Green, Michael Crowley Organizations: State Department, National Security Council, White House, United Nations, Reuters Locations: Gaza, Israel, U.S, Nigeria, United States, ”, Palestinian, Geneva, “ Israel

☆ US and Iraqi governments expected to start talks on future of US military presence in the country
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The US and Iraq are expected to soon begin talks on the future of the US military presence in the country, according to sources familiar with the matter, amid public calls from the Iraqi government for the US to withdraw its troops. US military officials and diplomats will be involved in the discussions, officials said. The talks about the future of the US’ military presence have now taken on a greater urgency amid the wider regional instability, and amid growing public calls by the Iraqi government for the US to withdraw its troops from the country. Part of the discussions will focus on whether and when it will be feasible to end the US military presence in Iraq. “The Biden administration is not considering a withdrawal of forces from Syria,” a senior US official told CNN.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, ”, They’re, Mohammed Shia, Sudani, ” “, “, ” Jonathan Lord, Jon Alterman, it’s, Alterman, Elena Romanowski, Biden, CNN’s Haley Britzky Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, ISIS, Defense, ”, ISIS Coalition, Higher, Commission, Center for New American Security, Iraqi Security Forces, Middle, Center for Strategic, International Studies, “ Locations: Iraq, Iraqi, Iran, Syria, ”, Iranian, Baghdad, Israel

☆ Attacks by Iran's militia allies are placing the Biden administration in a bind
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Attacks against US forces continue despite US warnings and military retaliations in Iraq and Syria. In Syria, the US military targeted facilities used by these militias and Iran's hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC, paramilitary. But as attacks on shipping continued, the U.S. and Britain targeted Houthi positions and weaponry inside Yemen with repeated airstrikes in January.

Persons: —, Biden, Nicholas Heras, Asad, Ryan Bohl, RANE, Bohl, Washington, Lloyd Austin, Heras, Joe Biden Organizations: Service, New Lines Institute, US, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, U.S, U.S . Central Command, East, Screengrab, Ministry of Defense, U.S . Navy, The New York Times, Hamas, Biden Locations: Iran, Iraq, Syria, United States, Baghdad, Gaza, Al, U.S, North Africa, Yemen, Red, Israel, Iranian

☆ Iran-backed groups in the Middle East and major US military deployments
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | Abbas Allawati | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The US has attacked Iranian-backed groups in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, while Iran-linked groups have targeted American personnel in Iraq and Syria. The US, having been trying to pivot away from the Middle East for years, finds itself drawn back into the region. And in some places, including Iraq and Syria, the US military presence overlaps that of Iran and its allies. The US has around 13,500 US forces in Kuwait, the largest American military presence in the region. The US this month quietly reached an agreement that extends its military presence for another 10 years at the base.

Persons: Yemen’s, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Harakat, Sayyid, Al, Haq, Asad, Bashar al, Assad, Israel, Ali, Dalton Williams Organizations: UAE CNN, Hamas, Islamic, Navy, Marine Expeditionary Unit, Institute for National Security, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, National Intelligence, Badr Organization, Asad Air Base, Erbil AB, Al, Force, Fatemiyoun, ISIS, Syria Security, Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Free Army, CNN, Gaza, US Air Force, Battalion, 163rd Cavalry Regiment, Ali Al Salem Air Base, U.S . Air Force, Washington, United Arab, US, Udeid, Base, Forward Headquarters, Combined Air Operations Centre, Prince Sultan Air Base, UAE, Al Dhafra, Al Dhafra Air Base, Gulf Air Warfare Center, US Naval Forces Central Command Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Israel, Iran, US, Iranian, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Tehran, Pakistan, Islamic Republic, Washington, Lebanon Lebanon, East, Lebanon, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Iraq Tehran, Baghdad, Al, Erbil, Syria Iran, Syrian, Pakistani, ”, Red, Saudi, Yemen’s, Kuwait, U.S, Palestinian, Arab, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Doha, Al Dhafra Air, Bahrain, Jordan, Incirlik

☆ Oil prices dip on weak demand, strong dollar
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

File: A Repsol Oil Operations oil drilling rig pounds into the desert searching through thousands of feet for and oil reserve in El-Sharara, Libya. Oil prices edged lower on Wednesday, weighed down by concerns over tepid demand and a stronger dollar even though escalating geopolitical tensions limited the losses. Gasoline inventories, however, increased by 7.2 million barrels, stoking concerns over fuel demand in the world's top oil consumer. A stronger U.S. dollar also weighed on oil prices as demand from buyers in other currencies ebbs as they have to pay more for dollar-denominated oil. Elsewhere, U.S.'s third-largest oil-producing state of North Dakota brought some oil output back online after weather-related disruption, the state's pipeline authority said.

Persons: Vikas Dwivedi Organizations: Operations, Brent, . West Texas, American Petroleum Institute, The Energy Information Administration, U.S . Department of Energy, Federal Reserve, Macquarie, U.S, Houthi, Sharara, Jan Locations: El, Sharara, Libya, Russia, Ukraine, Yemen, Britain, U.S, Iran, Red, Iraq, Iraqi, North Dakota

☆ Widening Mideast Crisis U.S. Strikes 3 Sites in Iraq After Attack on Base
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

☆ Iran's ‘brazen’ strikes around the Middle East send a message to Israel and the U.S., analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Fayaz Aziz | ReutersIran's recent missile and drone strikes on targets in three countries — Syria, Iraq and Pakistan — may not have been directly related to Israel's war in the Gaza Strip but they still revealed an intent to send a clear message, analysts told CNBC. Iraqi and Pakistani ministers vocally criticized the attacks, calling them a "violation" and vowing consequences. watch nowPakistan responded a day later, striking targets inside Iran that Iranian authorities say killed several people. They were also the first time Iran had deployed its military directly at any time since the Israel-Hamas war began. "There is an element of signaling to the United States and Israel by carrying out these strikes because they do showcase Iran's continued ballistic missile capabilities," Bohl told CNBC.

Persons: Fayaz Aziz, Ben Taleblu, we've, Ian Bremmer, Yemen's, Ryan Bohl, Bohl, Safin Hamid Organizations: Reuters, CNBC, ISIS, Foundation for Defense, Democracies, Washington D.C, Israel, Gaza, Hamas, Eurasia Group, Economic, Middle East, RANE Network, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, AFP, Getty Locations: Iran, Tehran, Israel, Peshawar, Pakistan, Syria, Iraq, Gaza, Washington, Israeli, Iraq's Kurdistan, State, Iraqi, Davos, Lebanon, Hamas, Yemen, U.S, Red, United States, Kurdistan, Arbil

(AP) — A military veteran charged with attacking police officers with a baton during a mob's Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was ordered released from custody on Tuesday, a day after his arrest. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lyman Thornton III said authorities found an AR-15 rifle and ammunition when they searched Richmond's Louisiana home this week. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesHowever, U.S. Magistrate Judge Erin Wilder-Doomes ordered Richmond's release from custody after a detention hearing attended by relatives, including his 16-year-old son. Richmond was arrested Monday in Baton Rouge on charges including civil disorder and assaulting, resisting or impeding police with a dangerous weapon. Richmond initially was charged with unpremeditated murder, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Persons: Edward Richmond Jr, Attorney Lyman Thornton III, Richmond, Thornton, ” Thornton, Erin Wilder, Doomes, Wilder, “, ”, John McLindon, Richmond hasn't, ” McLindon, Muhamad Husain Kadir, herder, Kadir, Michael Kunzelman Organizations: U.S . Capitol, U.S . Army, U.S, Attorney, Capitol, Army, Associated Press Locations: BATON ROUGE, La, Iraq, Louisiana, Richmond, Baton Rouge, Geismar , Louisiana, Taal Al Jai, Silver Spring , Maryland

☆ As more tankers divert from Suez Canal, there's a 'sea change' in way Europe is buying crude
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Al HUDAYDAH, YEMEN - JULY 17: Yemen's replacement oil tanker Nautica floats over its arrival to Al Hudaydah port in the Red Sea on July 17, 2023 in Hudaydah, Yemen. (Photo by Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images)Energy prices for Europe are expected to increase as more petroleum products and crude tankers are diverting away from the Rea Sea and Suez Canal. They would rather go around the Cape of Good Hope versus taking a chance through the Red Sea." LNG vessels travel faster than oil tankers because they are lighter and they can sail up to 21 knots versus the 12-13 knots for crude tankers. Before the Red Sea disruptions, a tanker from Jamnagar, India to Rotterdam, Netherlands would have taken 24 days.

Persons: Al, Mohammed Hamoud, Rea, Viktor Katona, Good Hope, It's, Katona Organizations: United Nations, Europe, U.S, Good Locations: Al HUDAYDAH, YEMEN, Al Hudaydah, Hudaydah, Yemen, Sana'a, Europe, Suez, Brazil, Africa's, Good, Israel, Jamnagar, India, Rotterdam, Netherlands, Basrah, Iraq, Milazzo, Sicily

☆ US carries out airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Oren Liebermann | Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The US carried out airstrikes in Iraq targeting Iranian-backed militias in the country on Tuesday following repeated attacks on US forces, a US official told CNN, including an attack over the weekend that involved ballistic missiles. It was not immediately clear how many sites were struck or what types of assets were targeted. The strikes come just days after US personnel at Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq were injured in a ballistic missile and rocket attack on the base. While most missiles and rockets were intercepted by the base’s air defenses, some projectiles made impact, US Central Command said over the weekend. This story is breaking and will be updated.

Persons: Pat Ryder, ” Organizations: CNN, Al, Asad Air Base, Command, Pentagon Locations: Iraq, Iran, Yemen

☆ Pope Francis takes on vested interests to speak out on humanitarian crises
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Analysis Christopher Lamb | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

Pope Francis received an emotional welcome on the island during a visit showing solidarity with migrants fleeing war and poverty. ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis confesses in St. Peter's Basilica during the Vatican's Penitential Celebration on Friday, March 4, 2016. Alessandro Di Meo/AP Pope Francis arrives for his visit with prisoners in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on Friday, July 10, 2015. Franco Origlia/Getty Images Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I address the faithful in Istanbul on Sunday, November 30, 2014. Gokhan Tan/Getty Images Pope Francis speaks during the feast-day Mass while on a one-day trip to Italy's Calabria region in June 2014.

Persons: Pope Francis, Cardinal Michael Czerny, Francis, “, ”, Regina Coeli, Vincenzo Pinto, Juan Manuel Santos, Santos, Alessandra Tarantino, L'Osservatore Romano, VINCENZO PINTO, Simon Bar Sabbae, Pope, FILIPPO MONTEFORTE, Karekin, TIZIANA FABI, Giuseppe Ciccia, MAX, Pope Francis tries, Pope Benedict XVI, Alessandro Di Meo, Evo Morales, OSSERVATORE ROMANO, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Federico Lombardi, Lombardi, Gregorio Borgia, Getty Pope Francis, Raul Castro, Castro, GABRIEL BOUYS, ANDREAS SOLARO, Kurukkal SivaSri, Mahadeva, Pope Francis in, Eranga, Franco Origlia, Bartholomew I, Gokhan Tan, San Gregorio Magno, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip , Duke of Edinburgh, Oli Scarff, Barack Obama, SAUL LOEB, Santa Sabina, Max ROSSI, Daniele De Sanctis, Pope Francis ', FABIO FRUSTACI, Benedict XVI, Benedict, L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO, Osservatore Romano Pope Francis, Vinicio Riva, Riva, CLAUDIO PERI, Rainbow Association Marco Iagulli Onlus, Fotografia, Father Don Renzo Zocca, Osservatore Romano, LUCA ZENNARO, Jorge Saenz, Dan Kitwood, Jesus, Internationalis Paulus VI, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Roman Catholic Church's, Peter Macdiarmid, Pope Francis Prev, it’s, He’s, Filippo Monteforte, Donald Trump’s, Czerny, Trump, Donald Trump, Melania, Evan Vucci, Reuters “, ” Cardinal Czerny, Cardinal Czerny, doesn’t, Francis ’, “ Jesus Organizations: CNN, Getty Images, Colombian, Revolutionary Armed Forces, International Catholic Rural Association, Vatican, AFP, Getty, Catholic Chaldean, St, Mercy, ARIS MESSINIS, MAX ROSSI, Getty Images Bolivian, Cuban, Sunday, Queen, getty, Rainbow Association, Renault, Catholic, Roman Catholic, Intelligence, Warner Bros, Discovery, “, Republican, Reuters Locations: St, AFP, Colombia, Rome, Tbilisi , Georgia, Auschwitz, Birkenau, Poland, Etchmiadzin, Yerevan, Armenia, Vatican City, Moria, Lesbos, Peter's, Mexican, Havana, Cuba, Mexico, Santa Cruz , Bolivia, South America, Ecuador, Paraguay, La Paz, Bolivia, Italian, Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Havana and Washington, Vatican, Pope Francis in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Istanbul, Italy's Calabria, Jerusalem's Old City, Argentina, Roman Parish, San, Rome's, Santa, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Argentine, America, Gaza, Nove, Lampedusa, Italy, Ciampino, Czechoslovakia, Canada, United States, Africa

☆ U.S. Strikes 3 Sites in Iraq Linked to Militias Blamed for Base Attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Eric Schmitt | More About Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The United States on Tuesday carried out military strikes against three facilities in western Iraq associated with Iran-linked militias that American officials say attacked a major base in Iraq on Saturday, according to the Pentagon’s Central Command, injuring at least four U.S. service members. “These precision strikes are in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against U.S. and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias,” Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said in a statement. The attack against Al Asad Air Base in Iraq on Saturday was the latest and the most serious of about 151 such rocket and missile strikes directed at U.S. troops based in Iraq and Syria since Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza started. Al Asad Air Base, in Iraq’s western desert, is now primarily used by Iraqi forces but still has a U.S. contingent. At least 83 U.S. personnel have suffered injuries in the attacks by militias in Syria and Iraq, including traumatic brain injuries.

Persons: Lloyd J, Austin III, Biden, Austin, Biden “ Organizations: Pentagon’s, Command, Central Command, U.S, ”, Al Asad, Al Asad Air Base, Pentagon, Houthi Locations: States, Iraq, Iran, Iraq’s, Syria, Iranian, Al Asad Air, Gaza, United States, Britain, Yemen, Al, U.S, Kurdish Syrian, Islamic State

☆ U.S. targets Iraqi airline Fly Baghdad, its CEO and Hamas cryptocurrency financiers for sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. on Monday hit Iraqi airline Fly Baghdad and its CEO with sanctions, alleging assistance to Iran's military wing, and imposed a fifth round of sanctions on the militant group Hamas for abuse of cryptocurrency since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. In the new sanctions, the Treasury Department said Fly Baghdad and CEO Basheer Abdulkadhim Alwan al-Shabbani have provided assistance to Iran's military wing and its proxy groups in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. "The United States will continue to disrupt Iran's illicit activities aimed at undermining the stability of the region." The sanctions block access to U.S. property and bank accounts and prevent the targeted people and companies from doing business with Americans. Hamas has said it planned for a potentially long fight and was "ready to do whatever is necessary for the dignity and freedom of our people."

Persons: Basheer Abdulkadhim Alwan, Brian E, Nelson, Fly, Asad Organizations: Ministry, Treasury Department, Foreign, Control, Hezbollah, Popular Mobilization Forces, State, U.S Locations: Baghdad, Israel, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, United States, U.S, Fly Baghdad, cryptocurrency, Jihad, Australia

JERUSALEM (AP) — Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says the kingdom will not normalize relations with Israel or contribute to Gaza's reconstruction without a credible pathway to a Palestinian state. Prince Faisal bin Farhan's remarks in an interview with CNN broadcast late Sunday were some of the most direct yet from Saudi officials. It puts them at odds with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has rejected Palestinian statehood and described plans for open-ended military control over Gaza. In September, Netanyahu had said Israel was “at the cusp” of such a deal, which he said would transform the Middle East. Israel has only successfully rescued one hostage, while Hamas says several have been killed in Israeli airstrikes or during failed rescue operations.

Persons: Prince Faisal bin Farhan's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Israel, “ CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, ”, ” Prince Faisal, “, Prince Faisal, we’re, NETANYAHU, —, ___ Shurafa Organizations: JERUSALEM, CNN, Israeli, Palestinian, West Bank, Hamas, Health Ministry Locations: Saudi, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, United States, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Jerusalem, GAZA, U.N, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Deir, israel

Richmond's Louisiana-based attorney, John McLindon, said he hadn't seen the charging documents and therefore couldn't immediately comment on the case. Richmond was 20 when an Army court-martial panel convicted him of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced him to three years in prison for killing the handcuffed Iraqi civilian near Taal Al Jai in February 2004. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesRichmond initially was charged with unpremeditated murder, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Richmond testified that he didn’t know Kadir was handcuffed and believed the Iraqi man was going to harm a fellow soldier. Police struggled for hours to stop the mob of Donald Trump supporters from entering the Capitol through the same tunnel entrance.

Persons: cowherd, Edward Richmond Jr, Richmond, John McLindon, hadn't, Muhamad Husain Kadir, Kadir, Donald Trump Organizations: U.S . Army, U.S, Capitol, Army, Richmond, FBI, Police, Washington , D.C, The Associated Press Locations: Iraq, Geismar , Louisiana, Louisiana, Baton Rouge , Louisiana, Taal Al Jai, West Terrace, Washington ,

☆ Oil prices steady as investors weigh Libya oilfield restart, Mideast tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A Repsol Oil Operations oil drilling rig pounds into the desert searching through thousands of feet for and oil reserve in El-Sharara, Libya. Oil prices were little changed on Monday as the market weighed the reopening of a key oilfield in Libya against ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Libya's National Oil Corporation resumed full production at the Sharara oilfield on Sunday after protests shut down output for two weeks. "The sentiment is sourer this morning because the force majeure on Libya's Sharara oil field has been lifted," Tamas Varga with PVM Oil Associates wrote in a note. OPEC, on the other hand, has presented a stronger outlook with oil demand forecast to grow by 2.2 million barrels per day, while production outside OPEC will grow by 1.3 million barrels per day.

Persons: Brent, Tamas Varga Organizations: Operations, The West Texas Intermediate, National Oil Corporation, PVM Oil Associates, U.S, U.S . Central Command, Houthi, International Energy Agency Locations: El, Sharara, Libya, The, Iran, Iraq, U.S, Syria, Gaza

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. on Monday hit Iraqi airline Fly Baghdad and its CEO with sanctions, alleging assistance to Iran's military wing — and in addition, imposed a fifth round of sanctions on the militant group Hamas for abuse of cryptocurrency since the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. In the new sanctions announced Monday, Treasury said Fly Baghdad and its CEO Basheer Abdulkadhim Alwan al-Shabbani have provided assistance to Iran's military wing and its proxy groups in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. In addition on Monday, the U.S. sanctioned a network of Hamas-affiliated financial exchanges in Gaza— including financial facilitators that transferred funds through cryptocurrency from Iran to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza. “Hamas has sought to leverage a variety of financial transfer mechanisms, including the exploitation of cryptocurrency, to channel funds to support the group’s terrorist activities,” Nelson said. “Treasury, in close coordination with our allies and partners, will continue to leverage our authorities to target Hamas, its financiers, and its international financial infrastructure.”___Associated Press reporter Sewell is located in Beirut, Lebanon.

Persons: Basheer Abdulkadhim Alwan, ”, Brian E, Nelson, Asad, ” Nelson, Sewell Organizations: WASHINGTON, Ministry, Treasury, Treasury's, Foreign, Control, Hezbollah, Popular Mobilization Forces, State, U.S, Hamas, “ Treasury, Associated Press Locations: Baghdad, Israel, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, United States, U.S, cryptocurrency, Jihad, Australia, Beirut

☆ China’s largest oil supplier in 2023 was Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Russia surpassed Saudi Arabia to become China’s largest oil supplier in 2023, according to the latest Chinese customs data. That helped Russia overtake Saudi Arabia as China’s largest crude oil supplier for the year. The Middle East country shipped 85.96 million metric tons of crude oil to China in 2023, down 2% from 2022. Russia now accounts for 19% of China’s oil imports, while Saudi Arabia makes up 15%. Russia became China’s largest oil supplier eight years ago, but it fell behind Saudi Arabia between 2019 and 2021, when the Gulf nation boosted its energy trade with Beijing.

Persons: ”, Vandana Hari, Hari, That’s, Xi Jinping, Mikhail Mishustin, ” Xi, Xi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, China’s, Administration, Customs, West, Vanda Insights, Saudi, Moscow, Russian, Xinhua Locations: Hong Kong, Hong Kong CNN — Russia, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, China, Russia, Gulf, Beijing, Moscow, India, Singapore, Iraq, leapfrog, The, Saudi

☆ Antibiotic-resistant germs are killing us. Microscopic viruses may be the answer
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Last year doctors offered to treat Horton’s infection with one of nature’s oldest predators — tiny tripod-looking viruses called phages designed to find, attack and gobble up bacteria. SCIEPRO/Science Photo Library/Getty ImagesThe microscopic creatures have saved the lives of patients dying from superbug infections and are being used in clinical trials as a potential solution to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Would the bacteria from her ear help scientists find phages that would treat the eye infections as well? By the following January, the CDC said at least 50 patients in 11 states had developed superbug infections after using preservative‐free artificial tears. It was a qualified success: The antibiotic-resistant bacteria in five patients were eradicated, while several more patients showed improvements.

Persons: Cynthia Horton’s earaches, “, ”, Dwayne Roach, Eager, Horton, Maroya Walters, ” Walters, Tom Patterson, Steffanie, Paul Turner, “ Iraqibacter, Patterson, Strathdee, Tom, ” Strathdee, Tom Patterson's, Rather, Anthony Maresso, ” Maresso, “ It’s, ” Roach, phages, Elizabeth Villa, Jumbo phages, Robert “ Chip ”, ” Schooley, Juliette Robert, Haytham, REA, CDC’s Walters Organizations: CNN, San Diego State University ., US Centers for Disease Control, Center, Therapeutics, UC San Diego School of Medicine, UC, Diego’s, CDC, Yale University, Yale School of Medicine, UC San, UC San Diego, ”, San Diego, Baylor College of Medicine, Eliava Institute Locations: United States, North America, Pennsylvania, IPATH, Iraq, New Haven , Connecticut, UC San Diego, Turner’s Yale, San, San Diego State, Texas, Houston, Russia, Georgia, Tbilisi , Georgia

☆ War Has Already Hurt the Economies of Israel’s Nearest Neighbors
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Patricia Cohen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

In the Red Sea, attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi militants on commercial ships continue to disrupt a crucial trade route and raise shipping costs. Despite the staggering death toll and wrenching misery of the violence in the Middle East, the broader economic impact so far has been mostly contained. Oil production and prices, a critical driver of worldwide economic activity and inflation, have returned to pre-crisis levels. International tourists are still flying into other countries in the Middle East like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Yet for Israel’s next-door neighbors — Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan — the economic damage is already severe.

Persons: Israel’s, Jordan Organizations: Pakistan ratchets, United Arab Locations: Iranian, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Iran, Pakistan, East, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt

☆ 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

☆ U.S. Troops Are Injured in Attack on Air Base in Iraq
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Eric Schmitt | Alissa J. Rubin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

Israel and Iran have been locked in a shadow war for years, long before the latest war in Gaza began. They have traded covert attacks by land, sea and air, as well as online. Israel has conducted targeted killings of key Iranian figures and strikes aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities. Syria is a close ally of Iran and a conduit for Iranian weapons shipments to its proxies, especially Hezbollah. Iran and Pakistan Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza Clashes along Israel-Lebanon border Qatar Iranian strike targeting militants Saudi Arabia U.A.E.

Persons: Israel, Ebrahim Raisi, Israel —, SANA, Hojatallah Omidvar, Haj Sadegh Omidzade, General Omidvar, Sayyed Razi Mousavi, Ronen Bergman, Victoria Kim Organizations: Guards, Quds Force, Islamic, Hamas, Revolutionary Guards, Human Rights, SYria AFghanistan IRAQ Israel Iran Clashes, West Bank, Qatar, Qatar INdia Saudi Arabia U.A.E, Red Sea, TURKEY U.S, EGYPT Qatar Saudi Arabia U.A.E, SYria IRAQ Iran Israel Clashes, West Bank KUWAIT PAK, Qatar Iranian, Saudi Arabia U.A.E, Quds Forces, Brig, Senior Locations: Iran, Damascus, Israel, Gaza, Syria, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, Gaza . Israel, Syrian, Britain, East TURKMENISTAN Syria, Iraq TURKEY Iran, SYria AFghanistan IRAQ Israel Iran, West, Gaza PAKISTAN KUWAIT Iran, Pakistan EGYPT, Qatar INdia Saudi Arabia, OMAN Red, YEMEN Sudan, Red, Red Sea U.S, Iraq TURKMENISTAN Iran, TURKEY, Gaza Iran, Pakistan KUWAIT PAKISTAN, EGYPT Qatar Saudi Arabia, Sudan YEMEN U.S, SYria IRAQ Iran Israel, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, OMAN, YEMEN, Iranian, Gen, Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq, Israeli, United States

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