Djibouti Financial News

South Africa's official unemployment rate of 33% is the highest in the world, outstripping those of Gaza and the West Bank, Djibouti and Kosovo

Three African leaders seeking to head the African Union have detailed their plans for regional security amid conflicts and political coups while strongly advocating for inter-Africa trade

A new attempt has begun to try to salvage an oil tanker burning in the Red Sea after attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have released footage showing that they boarded and intentionally set explosives aboard a Greek-flagged tanker that was earlier abandoned after they repeatedly attacked it, putting the Red Sea at risk of a major oil spill

Fires have broken on a Greek-flagged oil tanker previously attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels this week

A French destroyer rescued 29 mariners from an oil tanker that came under repeated attack from Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, while also destroying a bomb-carrying drone boat in the area

Indian Ocean Region (IOR), connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, is emerging as a critical axis of global trade, skilled young population and geo-economic prosperity. However, this region has witnessed significant transformations in recent years. For instance, China's expanding influence from Bab-el-Mandeb to Strait of Malacca is posing new and unique challenges each passing day. This continues to pose challenges to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) group, whose sole aim is to create a cooperative bulwark against Chinese expansionism and aggressiveness. China’s economic and military might have increased, so has its interest in securing its maritime trade routes and expanding its influence across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Here, we are reminded of the quote by Admiral Alfred T Mahan, «whoever controls the seas controls the world». Furthermore, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has seen significant investments in port infrastructure and maritime logistics, exemplified by projects like the Djibouti Port in the Horn of Africa, Gwadar Port in Pakistan, and the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka among others.

A cybersecurity intelligence company says a suspected Chinese state-sponsored hacking group has intensified attacks on Taiwanese organizations, particularly those in sectors such as the government, education and technology

A Greek-owned and Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier that came under attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels earlier this week had a cargo of grain bound for Iran

A suspected missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted a ship in the Red Sea, the latest assault in their campaign against international shipping in the crucial maritime route

A ship near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait has seen an explosion in the distance, marking what may be a new attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels through the crucial waterway for international trade

New Delhi's decision to post military and defence attaches to several new countries reflects India's changing assessments of strategic interests. Countering China, safeguarding critical gateways and increasing export of Indian military hardware is behind the choice of these new outposts that include several countries in Africa, East Europe and Asia Pacific. Now, GoI must ensure that defence personnel in missions abroad aren't limited to procurement, trade and training, as defence is an essential component of strategic relations. A better understanding of a defence attache's role is a must for the most optimum outcome.

PM Modi bats for peaceful ties with Pakistan, China: 'We need to urgently address...' Additionally, they often act as liaisons between military personnel and the diplomatic community, contributing to overall national security objectives and diplomatic initiatives. As per a report in PTI, New Delhi is assigning a new defense attaché to the small African nation of Djibouti, which holds strategic significance as a major maritime hub connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

US military said that three people have been killed and at least four wounded after a missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels hit a bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden. The Indian Navy also added that critical medical aid was provided to injured crew.

Houthis vow response after airstrikes by US, UK: 'These attacks will not…' Huthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on social media that the True Confidence was targeted with multiple missiles "after the ship's crew rejected warning messages" from the Huthis. - Months of attacks - The British embassy in Sanaa had earlier said the toll was at least two dead, describing the loss of life as "the sad but inevitable consequence of the Huthis recklessly firing missiles at international shipping." British Foreign Secretary David Cameron meanwhile promised that "we will continue to stand up for freedom of navigation and back our words with actions." US, UK launch second round of strikes on Huthis in Yemen The United States and Britain have since January launched repeated strikes on Huthi targets in Yemen in response to the ship attacks, but the rebels have continued to target merchant vessels.

non-basmati white rice to Tanzania and 80,000 tonne of broken rice to Djibouti and Guinea Bissau. The export is permitted through National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said in a notification. Though exports of non-basmati white rice have been banned since July 20, 2023 to boost domestic supply, exports are allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to certain countries to meet their food security needs on request. Tanzania is an East African nation, while Djibouti is at the northeast coast of the African continent.

Indian commandos hunting pirates after an attack in the Arabian Sea illustrates New Delhi's «significant» expansion of a muscular maritime force reflecting global ambitions, analysts say. The commandos, deployed this month from an Indian-built warship after an attempted hijacking of a merchant bulk carrier, are part of a major increase of naval forces in seas where rival neighbour China has already long expanded its reach. «It's significant given the geopolitical context» and the aggressive «use of naval assets», said Uday Bhaskar, head of the New Delhi-based Society for Policy Studies think tank. In recent years Beijing has negotiated infrastructure deals with countries around the Indian Ocean as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh and Djibouti, where it opened its first overseas military base in 2017, raising concerns among Indian officials. Now Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expected to be re-elected later this year, is looking to raise the global heft of India, the world's fifth-largest economy, which last year displaced China as the most populous country.

Henley Passport Index, released on Tuesday, India's passport has ascended to the 80th position worldwide. This elevated ranking now affords Indian citizens the privilege of unhindered exploration across 62 countries, alleviating the burden of intricate visa application procedures. The assessment of this ranking aligns with visa regulations effective as of January 11, as sourced from data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). A cornerstone in displaying, organizing, and ranking global passports, the Henley Passport Index, reveals six countries — France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain — jointly holding the prestigious title of the world's most potent visa. Citizens from these nations enjoy the unprecedented freedom to traverse over 194 countries without dealing with pesky visa requirements. On the flip side, Afghanistan sits at the bottom rung of the list, granting its passport holders access to a mere 28 countries without a visa. Syria closely follows with visa-free entry to 29 destinations, trailed by Iraq with 31, and Pakistan with 34. Indian passport bearers can now revel in the liberty of visiting 62 countries, including Oman and Qatar, without the encumbrance of a visa. These destinations extend either visa-free entry or the convenience of visa-on-arrival for Indian travelers, as elucidated by the Henley Passport Index 2024. Here is the full list of destinations Indians can visit without getting a visa before travel:

Next has warned supplies of its products could be delayed if disruption to shipping in the Red Sea continues. Attacks by Houthi rebels on vessels in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes have resulted in firms avoiding the area and taking longer routes.

Heritage Foundation senior fellow Brent Sadler reacts to BP pausing Red Sea oil shipments after Houthi attacks on 'Varney & Co.'

Check all the latest Israel-Hamas war LIVE Updates hereSaudi Arabia, considered as the de-facto leader of the Muslim world, along with its neighbour the United Arab Emirates, was among the countries that blocked a proposal moved at the Islamic-Arab summit to snap all ties with Israel, reports said.The proposal was to sever all diplomatic and economic relations with Tel Aviv, deny Arab airspace to Israeli flights and that the oil-producing Muslim countries should “threaten to use oil as a means of leverage" to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, The Times of Israel reported Ehud Ya’ari, the Arab affairs analyst of Israeli news platform Channel 12, as saying.The proposal was shot down by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco, Mauritania and Djibouti, Ya’ari reportedly added. Read the complete story.The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Sunday, November 12 reported that it has lost contact with Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, ANI reported.Al-Shifa Hospital has received international attention after reports of individuals fleeing the hospital being allegedly shot, wounded, or killed.

The Times of Israel said, citing the claim made by Ehud Ya’ari, the Arab affairs analyst of Israeli news platform Channel 12. The proposal was shot down by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco, Mauritania and Djibouti, Ya’ari reportedly said. Livemint could not independently verify the development.