U.S. airstrikes targeting western Yemen oil port kill dozens
Houthi-aligned news organization Al-Masirah reported Friday that 38 people were killed and another 100 were injured in the U.S. airstrikes, making it one of the deadliest U.S. attacks in Yemen amid the Trump administration's campaign against the Houthis that began in mid-March.
The U.S. attack consisted of at least 14 airstrikes on the Ras Isa Fuel Port, Al-Masirah reported, citing unnamed local sources. Israel later Friday morning said a missile launched toward it from Yemen had been intercepted.
U.S. Central Command said in a statement that it conducted airstrikes targeting the Ras Isa Fuel Port on accusations that it was under the control of the Houthi rebels and was supporting the Iran-proxy militia's military operations.
"Today, U.S. forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue that has funded Houthi efforts to terrorize the entire region for over 10 years," CENTCOM said in a statement.
"This strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen, who rightly want to throw off the yoke of Houthi subjugation and live peacefully."
Since Wednesday, the United States has conducted at least 30 airstrikes targeting Houthi infrastructure and leadership in Yemen, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
The United States has launched repeated strikes against the Houthis in Yemen since March 15 when CENTCOM announced it had initiated an operation against the designated terrorist organization "in order to restore freedom of navigation."
Since November 2023, the Houthis have enforced a maritime blockade of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, attacking vessels, including U.S. military ships, transiting the important trade route. The Iran-proxy militia states the blockade is in solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza, more than 51,000 of whom have been killed amid Israel's war against Hamas, another Iran-backed group, which began on Oct. 7, 2023.
In defense attack on the port, CENTCOM said the Houthis use fuel to sustain their military operations by leveraging it as a weapon of control and a source of income derived through embezzling profits from imports.
"This fuel should be legitimately supplied to the people of Yemen," CENTCOM said.
On Thursday, the United States sanctioned the International Bank of Yemen and three of its executives, accusing them of permitting the blacklisted Houthis access to the international banking system via its SWIFT, or Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications, network.
Yemen has been submerged in civil war since 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital of Sana'a. Since then, the Houthis have been fighting the internationally recognized government of Yemen and the Saudi-led coalition forces.
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Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump tariffs live updates: Trump says he won't extend August 1 deadline after letters to Japan, South Korea, others
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South Africa: Key exports include platinum, diamonds, vehicles, and auto parts Response: The office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that the tariff rates announced by Trump mischaracterized the trade relationship with the US, but it would 'continue with its diplomatic efforts towards a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States' after having proposed a trade framework on May 20. Japan: Key exports include autos, auto parts, and electronics. Response: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called the tariff 'extremely regrettable' but said he was determined to continue negotiating. Ishiba said Trump's tariff rate is lower than the levels he had threatened earlier and opens the way for further negotiations. Kazakhstan: Key exports include oil, uranium, ferroalloys, and silver. Malaysia: Key exports include electronics and electrical products. 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Trump's social media post echoes his sentiment last Thursday, when he told reporters, "As far as I'm concerned, we're done." When asked if tariff rates could change again in the next month, Trump added, "I would say firm but not 100% firm." As my colleague Ben Werschkul pointed out, some market participants have taken the letters as a hawkish signal that at least some of these tariffs will remain in effect. Stocks edged lower in morning trading Tuesday as investors assessed whether Trump might dial back tariffs again. Read more here. Today marks the start of Amazon Prime Day (AMZN), a shopping event exclusively for Prime members, where they can access deals on a wide range of products. Amazon Prime Day typically lasts four days but tariff-related price worries have meant that Amazon may have to extend its annual sales event and start offering new membership perks to Gen Z shoppers. Prime day, which has been running for 11 years, promises a flurry of summer deals and starts at 3:01 ET. Amazon has said that it will have deals dropping every 5 minutes during certain periods over the next few days. But reports have said that some Amazon retailers will be sitting this years event out due to President Trump's tariffs. 'Prime Day will provide an early indication on consumer appetite, especially in categories like apparel, electronics and TVs, where price drops are expected to be the deepest,' said Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Inc., which expects Amazon and other US retailers to generate $23.8 billion in online sales during the four-day event. Some hope the event will provide a glimpse into how much consumers are spending and what they are buying amid mixed signals around the US economy. 'Prime Day will be quite a test,' said Romain Fouache, the CEO of Akeneo, which sells software used by online merchants. 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However, in the months since, trade negotiations with the US have not gone as well, and Japan's efforts seemed to have backfired. Reuters reports: Read more here. India is panning to source 10% of its cooking gas imports from the US starting in 2026, according to people familiar with the matter. This latest news is part of a broader effort to boost energy purchases and narrow its trade gap with the US. Reuters reports: Read more here. Southeast Asia economies are preparing to step up trade negotiations with Washington after President Trump hit them with steep tariffs. Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Samsung Electronics ( reported a far worse than expected 56% plunge in second-quarter operating profits on Tuesday, citing weak AI chip sales. This has now deepened investor concerns over the tech giant's ability to revive its struggling semiconductor business. 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President Trump just posted his latest batch of letters informing country leaders of the tariffs their goods' exports to the US will face. Per Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul, here's a look at the countries included in this batch — and how their newly announced rates compare to April's: Thailand: April: 36% Now: 36% Cambodia: April: 49% Now: 36% Serbia: April: 37% Now: 35% Bangladesh: April: 37% Now: 35% Indonesia: April: 32% Now: 32% Bosnia and Herzegovina: April: 35% Now: 30% Tunisia: April: 28% Now: 25% Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul writes: President Trump just posted additional letters revealing new tariff rates for five additional countries. The letters contain similar language and terms urging foreign companies to move production to the US and warning that any tariff increases will face retaliation. Per Trump, the US will impose tariffs on the following countries starting on Aug. 1: Myanmar: 40% (below the 44% set under the "Liberation Day" program) Laos: 40% (versus 48% previously) South Africa: 30% (versus 30% previously) Kazakhstan 25% (versus 27% previously) Malaysia: 25% (versus 24% previously) Approximately 12 countries will receive letters from President Trump today informing them of new tariff rates, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a press briefing on Monday. The remaining countries will also receive letters in the coming days and weeks. Leavitt declined to say which countries will receive the letters today and said that all missives will be posted to Trump's Truth Social account. So far, the president has posted two letters addressed to the leaders of Japan and South Korea outlining 25% tariffs. President Trump will also sign an executive order delaying the July 9 deadline for all countries to Aug. 1 later today, Leavitt stated. The EU faces a tough challenge this week — either swallow higher tariffs to avoid a trade war with the US or retaliate to put pressure on the US to compromise. The FT reports: Read more here. Here's a look at the 14 countries that got tariff letters on Monday, as well as their key exports to the US and response, per the AP: Myanmar: Key exports include clothing, leather goods, and seafood. Laos: Key exports include shoes with textile uppers, wood furniture, electronic components, and optical fiber. Cambodia: Key exports include textiles, clothing, shoes, and bicycles. Thailand: Key exports include computer parts, rubber products, and gemstones. Response: Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said Thailand will continue to push for tariffs negotiations with the United States. Thailand on Sunday submitted a new proposal that includes opening the Thai market for more American agricultural and industrial products and increasing imports of energy and aircraft. Bangladesh: Key exports include clothing. Response: Bangladesh's finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh hopes to negotiate for a better outcome. There are concerns that additional tariffs would make Bangladesh's garment exports less competitive with countries like Vietnam and India. Serbia: Key exports included software and IT services and car tires. Indonesia: Key exports include palm oil, cocoa butter, and semiconductors. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Key exports include weapons and ammunition. South Africa: Key exports include platinum, diamonds, vehicles, and auto parts Response: The office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that the tariff rates announced by Trump mischaracterized the trade relationship with the US, but it would 'continue with its diplomatic efforts towards a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States' after having proposed a trade framework on May 20. Japan: Key exports include autos, auto parts, and electronics. Response: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called the tariff 'extremely regrettable' but said he was determined to continue negotiating. Ishiba said Trump's tariff rate is lower than the levels he had threatened earlier and opens the way for further negotiations. Kazakhstan: Key exports include oil, uranium, ferroalloys, and silver. Malaysia: Key exports include electronics and electrical products. Response: Malaysia's government said it will pursue talks with the US A Cabinet meeting is scheduled for Wednesday. South Korea: Key exports include vehicles, machinery, and electronics. Response: South Korea's Trade Ministry said early Tuesday that it will accelerate negotiations with the United States to achieve a deal before the 25% tax on its exports goes into effect. Tunisia: Key exports include animal and vegetable fats, clothing, fruit and nuts. Read more here. 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"As per letters sent to various countries yesterday, in addition to letters that will be sent today, tomorrow, and for the next short period of time, TARIFFS WILL START BEING PAID ON AUGUST 1, 2025," Trump wrote. "There has been no change to this date, and there will be no change. In other words, all money will be due and payable starting AUGUST 1, 2025 - No extensions will be granted. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump's social media post echoes his sentiment last Thursday, when he told reporters, "As far as I'm concerned, we're done." When asked if tariff rates could change again in the next month, Trump added, "I would say firm but not 100% firm." As my colleague Ben Werschkul pointed out, some market participants have taken the letters as a hawkish signal that at least some of these tariffs will remain in effect. Stocks edged lower in morning trading Tuesday as investors assessed whether Trump might dial back tariffs again. Read more here. Today marks the start of Amazon Prime Day (AMZN), a shopping event exclusively for Prime members, where they can access deals on a wide range of products. Amazon Prime Day typically lasts four days but tariff-related price worries have meant that Amazon may have to extend its annual sales event and start offering new membership perks to Gen Z shoppers. Prime day, which has been running for 11 years, promises a flurry of summer deals and starts at 3:01 ET. Amazon has said that it will have deals dropping every 5 minutes during certain periods over the next few days. But reports have said that some Amazon retailers will be sitting this years event out due to President Trump's tariffs. 'Prime Day will provide an early indication on consumer appetite, especially in categories like apparel, electronics and TVs, where price drops are expected to be the deepest,' said Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Inc., which expects Amazon and other US retailers to generate $23.8 billion in online sales during the four-day event. Some hope the event will provide a glimpse into how much consumers are spending and what they are buying amid mixed signals around the US economy. 'Prime Day will be quite a test,' said Romain Fouache, the CEO of Akeneo, which sells software used by online merchants. The firm conducted a survey of 1,000 US shoppers showing that 1 in 4 respondents planned to skip Prime Day due to tariffs while 57% said they would more closely monitor prices. Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Washington Correspondent Ben Werschkul reports: Read more here. Trade tensions have dampened US small business confidence, which slipped in June due to firms citing that they had too much inventory. Reuters reports: Read more here. The executive director of the United Nations trade agency said Tuesday that the Trump administration's decision to extend the negotiating deadline for tariff rates is causing prolonged uncertainty and instability for countries. Reuters reports: Read more here. When President Trump and Japanese Premier Shigeru Ishiba first met in February, the pledge from Tokyo to the US of a $1 trillion investment appeared to help relations, with Trump citing their "fantastic relationship". However, in the months since, trade negotiations with the US have not gone as well, and Japan's efforts seemed to have backfired. Reuters reports: Read more here. India is panning to source 10% of its cooking gas imports from the US starting in 2026, according to people familiar with the matter. This latest news is part of a broader effort to boost energy purchases and narrow its trade gap with the US. Reuters reports: Read more here. Southeast Asia economies are preparing to step up trade negotiations with Washington after President Trump hit them with steep tariffs. Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Samsung Electronics ( reported a far worse than expected 56% plunge in second-quarter operating profits on Tuesday, citing weak AI chip sales. This has now deepened investor concerns over the tech giant's ability to revive its struggling semiconductor business. The world's biggest memory chipmaker blamed the profit miss on US restrictions on advanced AI chips for China. Reuters reports: Read more here. China has warned President Trump against restarting trade tensions. Beijing threatened retaliation against nations that strike supply chain deals with the US that sideline China. Washington and Beijing reached a trade framework last month in London with the aim of calming tensions, but now investors are watching closely to see if it will last. This warning from China follows Trump's recent wave of letters to global leaders, in which he threatened new tariffs similar to those he unveiled in April. Reuters reports: Read more here. The European Union is meeting to push through an outline of the trade deal currently being negotiated to avoid the brunt of Trump's tariffs past July 9 and into a further period of negotiation. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. President Trump just posted his latest batch of letters informing country leaders of the tariffs their goods' exports to the US will face. Per Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul, here's a look at the countries included in this batch — and how their newly announced rates compare to April's: Thailand: April: 36% Now: 36% Cambodia: April: 49% Now: 36% Serbia: April: 37% Now: 35% Bangladesh: April: 37% Now: 35% Indonesia: April: 32% Now: 32% Bosnia and Herzegovina: April: 35% Now: 30% Tunisia: April: 28% Now: 25% Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul writes: President Trump just posted additional letters revealing new tariff rates for five additional countries. The letters contain similar language and terms urging foreign companies to move production to the US and warning that any tariff increases will face retaliation. Per Trump, the US will impose tariffs on the following countries starting on Aug. 1: Myanmar: 40% (below the 44% set under the "Liberation Day" program) Laos: 40% (versus 48% previously) South Africa: 30% (versus 30% previously) Kazakhstan 25% (versus 27% previously) Malaysia: 25% (versus 24% previously) Approximately 12 countries will receive letters from President Trump today informing them of new tariff rates, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a press briefing on Monday. The remaining countries will also receive letters in the coming days and weeks. Leavitt declined to say which countries will receive the letters today and said that all missives will be posted to Trump's Truth Social account. So far, the president has posted two letters addressed to the leaders of Japan and South Korea outlining 25% tariffs. President Trump will also sign an executive order delaying the July 9 deadline for all countries to Aug. 1 later today, Leavitt stated. The EU faces a tough challenge this week — either swallow higher tariffs to avoid a trade war with the US or retaliate to put pressure on the US to compromise. The FT reports: Read more here. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
USA Today
13 minutes ago
- USA Today
Will Donald Trump attend FIFA Club World Cup final?
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Axios
16 minutes ago
- Axios
Trump and Netanyahu expected to meet tonight to discuss Gaza
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