International
Yemen’s Houthi rebels dismiss 39 ministers and leave a government without women
The Houthi rebels of Yemen announced on Monday an important reorganization of their internationally unrecognized government – in which the female presence completely disappears -, consisting of the dismissal of 39 ministers and the reduction of the number of ministries from 42 to 21.
Two days after the appointment of a new prime minister, the head of the Supreme Political Council of the Houthi, Mahdi al Mashat, issued a decree in which he appoints the members of the new government, which will be headed by the newly appointed prime minister, Ahmad al Rahawi, and whom he asked to form a new Executive after leaving the ministerial portfolios in the middle, reported the Houthi news agency Saba.
Sheikh Mohamed Muftah, who heads the Huti National Committee to Support Al Aqsa, was appointed first deputy prime minister in this remodeling in which only the Deputy Prime Minister of Defense and Security, Jalal al Rowaishan; the Minister of Defense, Mohamed al Atifi, and the Minister of the Interior, AbdulKreem al Huti, retained their positions in the new cabinet, according to this decree.
Among the ministers who were dismissed is the Minister of Education, Yahya al Huti, brother of the leader of the group, Abdulmalik al Huti. The female presence of the previous Government, which included a Minister of Human Rights and two Ministers of State without a portfolio, disappears completely.
This reorganization of the cabinet meant the merger of some portfolios, including those of Justice and Human Rights, Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Public Service and Administrative Development, Transport and Public Works.
The portfolios of Economy, Industry and Investment, Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Education and Scientific Research, Electricity, Energy and Water, Health and Environment, Culture and Tourism were also affected.
The new government was abolished the portfolios of International Planning and Cooperation, Technical Education and Vocational Training, Legal Affairs, Religious Guidance, Local Administration, as well as the positions of Ministers of State.
The formation of the new government shows the determination of the Houthis to rationalize spending and control inflation in the administrative structure of their government in the midst of their operations in the Red Sea framed by the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
In addition, the appointment of politicians from the southern provinces for some government portfolios indicates an attempt to please the Southerners, whose areas are under the control of the internationally recognized government and the Southern Transitional Council backed by the United Arab Emirates, both rivals of the Houthis.
International
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
The Ukrainian government on Wednesday declared a nationwide energy state of emergency amid continued Russian military attacks and extreme winter weather, with nighttime temperatures dropping as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius.
“The consequences of Russian attacks and worsening weather conditions are severe (…) Overall, a state of emergency will be declared for Ukraine’s energy sector,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement posted on social media following a meeting with senior officials.
Zelensky announced the creation of a “permanent coordination headquarters” to manage the crisis in the capital, Kyiv, and tasked former defence minister and current energy chief Denys Shmyhal with overseeing support efforts for affected individuals and communities, including addressing power outages, heating shortages and other “practical issues.”
“There are many problems that require urgent solutions,” the president said, noting that repair crews, energy companies, municipal services and the State Emergency Service are working “around the clock” to restore electricity supplies. Kyiv has been particularly affected after Russian strikes last Friday disabled key parts of the power grid, as daytime temperatures hover around minus 12 degrees Celsius and plunge to minus 18 at night.
Zelensky added that public authorities will “maximize efforts with partners to obtain the necessary equipment and additional support,” while the government will ensure “maximum deregulation of all processes” to speed up the connection of backup power equipment to the grid. He also confirmed that work is underway to significantly increase electricity imports into Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader further instructed his Cabinet to review curfew regulations in light of the extreme cold, arguing that citizens must have the greatest possible access to assistance centers, while businesses should be given flexibility to plan their operations according to the state of the energy system.
International
France joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed in the early hours of Thursday (Wednesday afternoon in El Salvador) that France will take part in “Operation Arctic Resistance,” after Denmark announced it would expand its military presence in Greenland amid rising tensions with the United States over Washington’s stated ambitions regarding the semi-autonomous territory.
“At Denmark’s request, I have decided that France will participate in the joint exercises organized by Denmark in Greenland, ‘Operation Arctic Resistance,’” Macron said in a brief message posted on social media at 5:18 p.m.
The French president added that “the first French military elements are already on their way, with others to follow,” though he did not specify the number of troops being deployed or the scale of France’s planned contribution.
The governments of Sweden, Norway and Germany have also confirmed the deployment of military contingents to Greenland. Germany’s armed forces will send a 13-member reconnaissance team to the Greenlandic capital, Nuuk, to take part in a mission scheduled to run from Thursday through Saturday, according to the German Ministry of Defence.
Denmark’s announcement came shortly before a Danish delegation met at the White House with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss Washington’s plans regarding Greenland. Copenhagen said the military activities would be carried out “in close cooperation with NATO allies.”
International
Iran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
Iranian authorities closed the country’s airspace in the early hours of Thursday, according to data from flight-tracking website FlightRadar24, amid growing threats of a possible U.S. attack as protests across the country continue and have reportedly left thousands dead.
According to FlightRadar24, the Iranian government suspended all flights to and from the country, except for international flights that have received special authorization. The notice was initially issued for a duration of just over two hours.
The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump in recent days threatened to strike Iran if its security forces failed to halt the deaths linked to weeks-long protests that began in Tehran and later spread to other Iranian cities. Despite the threats, the White House said diplomacy remains Trump’s preferred option.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump claimed that “the deaths in Iran have stopped” and said there would be no executions of protesters following his warnings to Tehran. He added that his administration would seek to verify those claims.
“I’ve been told the deaths in Iran are stopping. They’ve stopped, and that there are no plans for executions,” Trump told reporters, cautioning that the United States would be “very upset” if those assurances proved to be untrue.
The statements contrast with reports from rights groups. The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) said on Wednesday that more than 3,400 people have been killed since the protests erupted. Meanwhile, Kurdish-Iranian rights group Hengaw reported this week that a 26-year-old Iranian man, Erfan Soltani, was facing execution as of Wednesday.
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
France joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
Iran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International2 days agoDeadly van accident near Brazil border leaves 11 dead in Bolivia
-
Central America2 days agoTaiwan’s $10 million donation after 2001 earthquakes allegedly diverted in El Salvador
-
Central America2 days agoU.S. and El Salvador maintain close partnership, embassy says
-
International2 days agoDominican court postpones hearing in deadly nightclub collapse case
-
International2 days agoU.S. to host Danish and Greenlandic Foreign Ministers at the White House
-
International2 days agoPolice hunt gunmen after fatal shooting in Corsica
-
International2 days agoEx-President accused of bid to establish dictatorship as verdict nears in South Korea
-
International2 days agoVenezuelan opposition leader dedicates Nobel Prize to Trump
-
International4 days agoU.S. Issues Urgent Evacuation Call for Citizens in Venezuela
-
International1 day agoColombian Defense Chief Meets U.S. Officials to Advance Bilateral Narcotics Strategy
-
Central America21 hours agoBukele warns crime can become a ‘parallel government’ during visit to Costa Rica
-
International1 day agoPeruvian Court Orders Definitive Dismissal of Money Laundering Case Against Keiko Fujimori
-
International21 hours agoU.S. to suspend visa processing for applicants from 75 countries
-
International7 hours agoIran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
-
International7 hours agoU.S.–Denmark tensions escalate as Trump pushes NATO to back U.S. claim on Greenland
-
International7 hours agoFrance joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
-
International7 hours agoUkraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
-
International8 hours agoSwiss Canton of Valais Grants Emergency Aid to Victims of Crans-Montana Bar Tragedy
-
International7 hours agoUK Intelligence estimates russian casualties in Ukraine at over 1.2 million
-
International7 hours agoHillary Clinton skips Epstein inquiry as house panel threatens contempt charges
-
International8 hours agoX moves to block Grok from creating sexualized images of real people amid legal scrutiny