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Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi warned that continued U.S. aggression against Yemen would lead to "escalatory options" and more painful retaliation from the rebels. This follows U.S. President Donald Trump's recent airstrikes on Houthi positions, which killed at least 53 people, including children, and injured many others. Trump’s airstrikes are part of a broader campaign to pressure Iran, the Houthis’ main backer, with Trump linking Houthi actions to Tehran and threatening consequences for further attacks. In response, Houthi supporters rallied in several cities, vowing revenge against the U.S. and Israel. The United Nations has called for a halt to military activities in Yemen. Meanwhile, the Houthis’ maritime attacks on over 100 merchant vessels between November 2023 and January 2024 raised their profile in the Arab world. Trump also warned Iran against arming the Houthis, alleging a reduction in Tehran's military support for the group.
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Aid agencies in Ethiopia's war-affected Tigray region have been forced to halt food distribution to millions due to restrictions imposed by the U.S. Trump administration. The suspension stems from the breakdown of the USAID payment system, which has left agencies without funds to cover fuel, transportation, and staff costs, despite existing food stockpiles. Tigray Disaster Risk Management Commissioner, Gebrehiwot Gebrezgiabher, warned that the cut will put 1.2 to 1.4 million people at risk. Displaced residents, like 76-year-old Haile Tsege, express fears of dying from hunger, with over 2.4 million people in Tigray dependent on U.S. humanitarian aid. Ethiopia, the largest recipient of U.S. aid in sub-Saharan Africa, received $1.8 billion in 2023, supporting food, health, education, and refugee programs. However, most of these programs have been halted, USAID staff placed on administrative leave, and recovery efforts in Tigray severely disrupted. The U.S. Embassy has not responded to inquiries.
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Russia's Gazprom said it will pump a reduced volume of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Tuesday (December 31), the last day before the expiry of a deal that had kept the gas flowing throughout nearly three years of war.
Gazprom said it would send only 37.2 million cubic meters on Tuesday compared to 42.4 mcm on Monday. Flows are expected to fall to zero from the early hours of Jan. 1 after the expiry of the five-year transit agreement.
Its demise marks the almost complete loss of Moscow's once mighty hold over the European gas market. Ukraine refused to negotiate a new deal because of the war.
The halting of supplies via Ukraine will be a major blow to Moldova, a country that was once part of the Soviet Union. Among European Union countries, Slovakia will be the most affected. Hungary will continue to receive Russian gas from the south, via the TurkStream pipeline on the bed of the Black Sea, although it had been keen to keep the Ukrainian route as well. Watch here for more details-
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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, addressed the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza during a press briefing on December 2. She emphasized that the situation is dire but assured that the U.S. is actively working to alleviate suffering by delivering essential aid, including food, to the Palestinian people. The U.S. is committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict and has been working tirelessly on the ground to facilitate a ceasefire, bring hostages home, and address the humanitarian crisis. Additionally, Thomas-Greenfield confirmed that the U.S. is monitoring the situation in Lebanon to ensure that the ceasefire agreement is respected. The U.S. continues its relentless diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict and alleviate the suffering of those affected by the violence in Gaza. The U.S. remains focused on both humanitarian assistance and long-term diplomatic solutions to resolve the crisis.
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Israeli airstrikes on Gaza kill 18, including 5 children, amid escalating conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah; refugee camps targeted, humanitarian crisis deepens.
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Leaders called for increased mobilization to resolve a humanitarian crisis that has left millions displaced and more than 280 million suffering from malnourishment.
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Taliban officials have said the problems will ease once a new government is in place, and have appealed to other countries to maintain economic relations.
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The Security Council is considering a statement to try to boost aid access in Syria by urging Syrian authorities to allow cross-border deliveries from neighboring countries and asking parties to the conflict to hold humanitarian pauses in the fighting.
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Enumerating his priorities as chief of the United Nations for a second term, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said global security, democratisation challenges in places like Libya and sustainable development will feature prominently on his agenda.
