US Destroys Houthi Drones, Missiles in Yemen and Red Sea, Military Says

Students recruited into the ranks of Yemen's Houthi militias hold up automatic rifles as they take part in a rally in support of the Palestinians and against the US, Britain and Israel at a university campus in Sanaa on February 21, 2024, amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas movement in Gaza. (AFP)
Students recruited into the ranks of Yemen's Houthi militias hold up automatic rifles as they take part in a rally in support of the Palestinians and against the US, Britain and Israel at a university campus in Sanaa on February 21, 2024, amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas movement in Gaza. (AFP)
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US Destroys Houthi Drones, Missiles in Yemen and Red Sea, Military Says

Students recruited into the ranks of Yemen's Houthi militias hold up automatic rifles as they take part in a rally in support of the Palestinians and against the US, Britain and Israel at a university campus in Sanaa on February 21, 2024, amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas movement in Gaza. (AFP)
Students recruited into the ranks of Yemen's Houthi militias hold up automatic rifles as they take part in a rally in support of the Palestinians and against the US, Britain and Israel at a university campus in Sanaa on February 21, 2024, amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas movement in Gaza. (AFP)

The US military said on Friday it had destroyed Houthi drones and anti-ship cruise missiles in Yemen and the Red Sea after determining they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships.

The strikes hit four drones and two cruise missiles that were prepared to launch from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea, the military's Central Command said.

The military also shot down three Houthi one-way attack drones near commercial ships operating in the Red Sea, it said.

The strikes were conducted on Thursday and Friday, the Central Command said. There was no damage to any ships, it added.



Lebanon’s New PM Sees Positive Atmosphere in Cabinet Formation Talks

This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam speaking to the media at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut on January 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / Handout/ AFP
This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam speaking to the media at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut on January 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / Handout/ AFP
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Lebanon’s New PM Sees Positive Atmosphere in Cabinet Formation Talks

This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam speaking to the media at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut on January 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / Handout/ AFP
This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam speaking to the media at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut on January 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / Handout/ AFP

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam said on Friday the formation of a new government would not be delayed, indicating a very positive atmosphere in discussions over its composition.

Salam was nominated by a majority of lawmakers on Monday to form the new government, although he did not win the backing of the Shiite parties Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, led by parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

"The atmosphere is more than positive among all the blocs and today from Speaker Berri," Salam said, speaking to reporters after a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, who was elected by parliament on Jan. 9.

Berri, a close Hezbollah ally, said on Friday he held a "promising meeting" with Salam.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah and Amal had wanted the incumbent Prime Minister Najib Mikati to stay in the post, but a majority of lawmakers opted for Salam, who formerly served as president of the International Court of Justice.

Government formation discussions are often protracted in Lebanon, due to bartering among its sectarian factions over cabinet positions.