Effect of sanctions and inflation in Europe! Many Europeans can’t afford food anymore as before. Food prices grew by: 🇪🇪 Estonia 57% 🇱🇻 Latvia 55% 🇱🇹 Lithuania 52% 🇸🇰 Slovakia 52% 🇭🇷 Croatia 47% 🇸🇮 Slovenia 39% 🇳🇱 Netherlands 39% 🇧🇪 Belgium 38% 🇪🇸 Spain 34% 🇦🇹 Austria 33% 🇲🇹 Malta 32% 🇵🇹 Portugal 32% 🇬🇷 Greece 30% 🇱🇺 Luxembourg 29% 🇮🇹 Italy 28% 🇫🇷 France 27% 🇩🇪 Germany 27% 🇮🇪 Ireland 26% 🇫🇮 Finland 25% 🇨🇾 Cyprus 20%

France officially recognized the state of Palestine #France, #Malta, #Monaco, #Luxembourg, and #Andorra have joined the recent diplomatic shift toward recognizing Palestine. #Macron added that he is ready to send French troops to #Gaza as part of an international stabilization mission.

British maritime agency reports another incident off Yemen coast Another incident has been reported off the #Yemen coast, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (#UKMTO) said in a statement. "UKMTO has received a report of an incident 14 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukha, Yemen," the statement reads. "Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution," the agency added. According to the British maritime security company Ambrey, a Malta-flagged container ship came under attack while on route from Djibouti to the Saudi port of Jeddah. The ship was reportedly targeted with three missiles. According to Reuters, "Ambrey assessed that the vessel was targeted due to its listed operator’s ongoing trade with Israel."

Missile targets cargo ship off Yemen’s coast, British firm says The Malta-flagged Greek-owned bulk carrier Zografia was targeted and impacted with a missile off Yemen’s coast in the Red Sea, the British maritime security firm Ambrey said. According to Ambrey, the incident occurred 76 nautical miles northwest of the Yemeni port of Saleef. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also said that it had received a report of an accident "approximately 100 nautical miles northwest of Saleef, Yemen."

It appears that while some US-flagged merchant ships reversed course - ARC Liberty and Maersk Chicago - and others are still heading for the Suez to head south; some are holding their positions - Maersk Kensington & Green Bay - while they await for escorts to be established. 🔶️ In the meantime, the French-owned Malta-flagged CMA CGM Aqaba just ran (Dec 20/21) the Bab el-Mandeb [BAM] into the Gulf of Aden. CMA CGM Pegasus (w/armed guards aboard) just departed Djibouti after sailing through the BAM on Dec 18 and is showing a destination of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea (but she may be heading to Asia). 🔶️ The French-owned CMA CGM Washington (Malta-flagged 14,360 TEU) and APL Salalah (Singapore-flagged 10,800 TEU and owned by CMA CGM) are the only containerships over 8000 TEU heading for the BAM in the Indian Ocean and will probably pick up an escort to run past Yemen. 🔶️ It appears that the French Navy is using the frigate Languedoc to escort their ships through the waters around Yemen and avoid the Houthi. 🔶️ It appears that France is withdrawing from Op Prosperity Guardian and will be conducting their own escort operation. 🔶️ The question is why the @USNavy @US5thFleet has not yet escorted Maersk Kensington through the BAM, as the ship has been sitting in the Red Sea for a week (since Dec 15), or Green Bay (since Dec 17) in the Gulf of Aden? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HObhQdNXq2U