World oil demand grows amid Red Sea shipping disruptions: IEA

World oil demand grows amid Red Sea shipping disruptions: IEA

Global oil demand is forecast to grow more than expected due to a brighter US economic outlook and rising fuel needs of ships rerouted away from the Red Sea, the International Energy Agency said Thursday. Commercial ships have been taking longer and costlier journeys around the southern tip of Africa to avoid attacks by Yemen's Huthi rebels in the Red Sea, a vital international trade route. The […]

March 14, 2024 14

Opinion Pieces

Houthi militant attacks in the Red Sea raise fears of Somali piracy resurgence

By Samuel Oyewole, Federal University, Oye Ekiti Renewed attacks on ships by suspected Somali pirates since November 2023 have fuelled fear of a new threat of piracy off the east coast of Africa. The area at risk stretches from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. At least four ships have been hijacked off the Somalia coast since November 2023. Concern has risen […]

February 1, 2024 5

World

Global shipping “not in crisis” just yet, says the UN

Consumers may be faced with higher food prices due to delays along the world's major shipping corridors. Speaking at the United Nations on Thursday, Jan Hoffmann the Chief of Trade Facilitation said three of the world's shipping lanes have seen major decreases in traffic. Hoffman's briefing comes as attacks on shipping vessels by Houthi militia in the Red Sea continue unabated. Jody Jacobs reports from the UN in New York.

January 26, 2024 4

World

China Calling on Iran to Rein in Houthi Attacks in Red Sea

A report by Reuters says China is asking officials in Iran to help rein in attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Houthis. It adds that several meetings have taken place between the two sides in Beijing and Tehran recently. Patrick Fok reports.

January 26, 2024 29

World

Biden wobbles under weight of multiple open fronts around the world

Long gone is the Joe Biden of February 2023, strolling confidently through the streets of Kyiv, basking in the role as champion of the Ukrainian cause in the fight against Vladimir Putin's Russia. Nearly one year after that triumphant appearance, the US president is instead facing the harsh realities of running for re-election while bogged down in one stagnant war and navigating the volatility of another, as the conflict in […]

January 25, 2024 6

Africa

AU urges restraint in Somalia-Ethiopia tensions

The African Union on Wednesday called on Ethiopia and Somalia to exercise restraint and take steps to de-escalate the current tensions amid deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Xinhua news agency reports that tensions continue to mount in relations between Ethiopia and Somalia after Ethiopia and Somaliland, a self-declared region of Somalia, signed an agreement earlier this month, allowing Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in return for […]

January 18, 2024 21

Opinion Pieces

Give Peace a Chance in Yemen Despite Regional Violence

A screen grab of a Houthi video capturing the militia’s seizure of the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea, Nov. 19, 2023. The Houthis still control the ship. As violence between the rebels and certain Western countries rises, the author writes that the Omani-led peace deal for Yemen is still viable. EMILY SCHRADER/TWITTER By Arwa Mokdad via PassBlue The relentless bombardment in Gaza by Israel Defense Forces is […]

January 18, 2024 4

World

U.S. shoots down Houthi missile

The United States has shot down a missile fired by Houthi rebels at one of its warships in the Red Sea. On Monday, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is telling MPs about his decision to join air strikes with Washington. Former UK national security adviser and ambassador to the UN Mark Lyall-Grant says it's a difficult balance. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has called on all parties involved in […]

January 15, 2024 23

World

EU to debate sending naval mission to Red Sea

EU countries will discuss next week a plan to set up a naval mission to help protect Red Sea shipping following attacks from Yemen's Huthi rebels, diplomats said Friday. The proposal -- in the pipeline in Brussels for several weeks -- was mooted before US and British forces struck rebel-held Yemen early on Friday. Any EU effort would seek to complement a US-led coalition, which includes numerous countries from the […]

January 12, 2024 19