Day News Recap: Houthis tighten Red Sea grip as oil jumps above $100 and global tensions widen

Houthi forces have made the biggest move in the window, with reports saying they seized Yemen's Red Sea coastline, including Mocha, the Bab al Mandeb coast and Mayyun Island, tightening their grip on one of the world's most sensitive shipping routes. The advance has sharpened fears over the Bab al Mandeb strait and comes alongside Saudi oil strikes, raising the risk of wider disruption to maritime traffic.  🔗  🔗  🔗

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The conflict spillover is also feeding into broader regional tensions. Donald Trump said he had no regrets about launching the US Israeli war against Iran, even as Gulf diplomacy intensifies over the conflict's wider consequences, while the acting US defence secretary said a Bahrain based American military installation suffered severe damage during months of fighting with Iran and Washington is reviewing its regional posture.  🔗  🔗

In the wider Middle East, Israel said it destroyed a major Hezbollah underground base in southern Lebanon, using more than 1,000 tonnes of explosives, while tremors were felt locally. In Gaza, Israeli strikes killed a family of four in Beit Lahia, including two children, and left at least five more people dead in separate attacks across the enclave.  🔗  🔗

Iran is also under growing strain at home, with its pharmaceutical sector reporting shortages of hundreds of medicines, steep price rises and supply chain disruption amid war, sanctions and blockade. At the same time, BRICS leaders gathered in New Delhi with Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian arriving for a summit taking place under pressure from wars and trade tensions.  🔗  🔗

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Elsewhere in Asia, Myanmar's military backed authorities said they thwarted a drone attack on Tada U International Airport near Mandalay, prompting flight cancellations and a security alert. In Hong Kong, three prominent Tiananmen vigil activists were sentenced to prison terms of up to seven years, while Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi khim made a rare visit to Italy for a democracy conference.  🔗  🔗  🔗

In Africa, Ebola has been detected in South Ubangi province in northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo, extending the outbreak to a seventh province. Algeria also deepened its row with the United Arab Emirates by closing its airspace to Emirati civilian and military aircraft, and Nigeria's parliament suspended official visits to South Africa over continuing anti migrant violence there.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Europe saw a string of political and security developments. France warned a TV channel it could face criminal proceedings if it puts expelled pro Kremlin commentator Xenia Fedorova back on air, Spain's lower house backed a citizenship bill for Western Saharans born under Spanish rule, and the UK home secretary ordered police to use all powers necessary after anti migrant protests in Dover and Portsmouth.  🔗  🔗  🔗

In the Americas, the US Supreme Court blocked another Trump backed Missouri congressional map, leaving the state facing the prospect of a new redistricting fight. Trump also promised a 5,000 dollar payout to every adult American if Republicans keep Congress, while JD Vance told a Republican convention in Dallas that Democrats are the party of hatred. Canada, meanwhile, pledged more air defence, drone and energy support for Ukraine during Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Calgary.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

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Several legal and law enforcement cases also moved in the US. Joonko founder Ilit Raz pleaded guilty to securities fraud in New York, a hedge fund founder was charged over alleged fund performance misrepresentation, an Indian citizen on a student visa was sentenced for defrauding a Vietnam veteran, a repeat offender in Washington was jailed for 10 years over two shootings and illegal gun possession, a Colombian national was indicted in a 135 million dollar money laundering case, a Cuban national got 33 months for assaulting airport security officers in Las Vegas, and the Justice Department said it had removed an Afghan woman in the first Alien Terrorist Removal Court case.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

Other notable stories included Anthropic saying its Claude models were misused in attempts linked to missile guidance, espionage, biological weapons research and state surveillance campaigns targeting dissidents and minority communities, while Europol backed a crackdown on a Camorra linked euro counterfeiting network. Finland's President Alexander Stubb attended the International Space Summit in Paris, Italy approved new measures to speed oil and gas licensing, Peru joined the US led Shield of the Americas security alliance, Morocco denied any role in the Ceuta migrant surge, and Australia saw Greens co founder backing senators over a koala park carbon credits split.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

In the Pacific, Nepal said reconstruction after the August floods and mudslides will cost nearly 6.7 billion dollars, and the FAO said the disaster damaged 1,800 hectares of crops and killed thousands of livestock.  🔗  🔗

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