As 2024 begins President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to The Economist’s Editor-in-chief, Zanny Minton Beddoes, about his political and military goals for the coming year and why he won’t compromise with Vladimir Putin.
Day: January 1, 2024
- Iran rejects US and UK calls to end support for Houthi Red Sea attacks The Guardian
- Ex-senior Houthi official warns that Iran-backed group will eventually hit Tel Aviv The Times of Israel
- U.S. Navy Destroys Boats Controlled by Iran-Backed Militias in Red Sea The Wall Street Journal
DUBAI — Iran’s Alborz warship has entered the Red Sea, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Monday, at a time of soaring tensions on the key shipping route amid the Israel-Hamas war and attacks on vessels by forces allied to Tehran.
Tasnim did not give details of the Alborz’s mission but said Iranian warships had been operating in open waters to secure shipping routes, combat piracy and carry out other tasks since 2009.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea since November to show their support for the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in its war with Israel.
In response, many major shipping companies have switched to the longer and more costly route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope rather than pass through the Suez Canal, which handles about 12% of global trade.
The Alborz warship entered the Red Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Tasnim said, without saying when. There were unconfirmed reports on social media that it arrived late Saturday.
The Alvand class destroyer had been a part of the Iranian navy’s 34th fleet, alongside the Bushehr support vessel, and patrolled the Gulf of Aden, the north of the Indian Ocean and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as far back as 2015, according to Iran’s Press TV.
The U.S. Fifth Fleet said it could not speak for the Iranian navy or comment on the unconfirmed reports of the Iranian vessel’s movements.
Houthi militants attacked a Maersk container vessel with missiles and small boats on Saturday and Sunday, prompting the company to pause all sailing through the Red Sea for 48 hours.
The head of Iran’s navy, Shahram Irani, was quoted in Iranian media on December 2 saying that the Alborz was carrying out missions in the Red Sea.
Iran’s Defense Minister, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, said on December 14 in reference to the Red Sea that “nobody can make a move in a region where we have predominance.”
DUBAI — Iran’s Alborz warship has entered the Red Sea, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Monday, at a time of soaring tensions on the key shipping route amid the Israel-Hamas war and attacks on vessels by forces allied to Tehran.
Tasnim did not give details of the Alborz’s mission but said Iranian warships had been operating in open waters to secure shipping routes, combat piracy and carry out other tasks since 2009.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea since November to show their support for the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in its war with Israel.
In response, many major shipping companies have switched to the longer and more costly route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope rather than pass through the Suez Canal, which handles about 12% of global trade.
The Alborz warship entered the Red Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Tasnim said, without saying when. There were unconfirmed reports on social media that it arrived late Saturday.
The Alvand class destroyer had been a part of the Iranian navy’s 34th fleet, alongside the Bushehr support vessel, and patrolled the Gulf of Aden, the north of the Indian Ocean and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as far back as 2015, according to Iran’s Press TV.
The U.S. Fifth Fleet said it could not speak for the Iranian navy or comment on the unconfirmed reports of the Iranian vessel’s movements.
Houthi militants attacked a Maersk container vessel with missiles and small boats on Saturday and Sunday, prompting the company to pause all sailing through the Red Sea for 48 hours.
The head of Iran’s navy, Shahram Irani, was quoted in Iranian media on December 2 saying that the Alborz was carrying out missions in the Red Sea.
Iran’s Defense Minister, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, said on December 14 in reference to the Red Sea that “nobody can make a move in a region where we have predominance.”
Categories
NPR News: 01-01-2024 12PM EST
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday called on Singaporeans to give Lawrence Wong and his team full support in 2024 while giving a New Year address.
“Next year, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will take over from me as prime minister. This is not the first time we are having a leadership transition. But transitions are always delicate,” Lee noted.
The prime minister urged Singaporean people to work with the new leadership team to build a nation that is “vibrant and inclusive, fair and competitive, and resilient and united.”
Though geopolitical uncertainties and climate change will continue to affect Singapore in 2024, Lee said rapid progress in artificial intelligence and robotics holds great promise for Singaporean businesses and people.
“The government will work closely with our tripartite partners to support every Singaporean to upskill and reskill so that all can actively pursue their careers and keep themselves employable and competitive,” Lee said.
He also vowed to build affordable and accessible public housing for Singaporeans, uplift lower-income families and vulnerable groups, and care for the aging population.
Singapore made 1.2 percent growth this year and the gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 1 to 3 percent in 2024, Lee said, adding that inflation will hopefully come down though much will depend on the external environment.
The prime minister also called on people to value and carry on the legacy of Lee Kuan Yew and other founding leaders of the country to maintain social cohesion and build a thriving economy on meritocracy and hard work, especially in the increasingly challenging world.
Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus conviction of a distinguished figure in the field of microfinance has been sentenced to jail in Bangladesh, causing ripples across the international community. The decision, delivered by the country’s judiciary, has taken many by surprise, triggering a diplomatic challenge from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Apparently, it’s an open challenge to the western powers by the incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who is facing tough opposition. However, her massive crackdown towards opposition parties is making human rights downgrade.
Muhammad Yunus the Nobel laureate had been a symbol of intellectual prowess and global cooperation. The unexpected judicial move scrambling for explanations and insight into the circumstances leading to this surprising verdict.
The sentencing has prompted varied responses from the international community. Human rights organizations and advocacy groups have called for transparency and due process, emphasizing the importance of protecting intellectual freedom.