Houthi rebels capture key Red Sea port in Yemen

Houthi rebels captured a key port on Thursday from Yemen’s Saudi Arabia-backed government, widening the Iranian proxy’s control over one of the region’s two critical waterways. An expert told The New York Times the militia is now one step closer to controlling “arguably Yemen’s most strategically valuable real estate” near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Semafor’s energy editor said a prolonged Middle East conflict could permanently hurt oil demand as alternative energy sources spread. Oil prices touched $108 a barrel on Thursday for the first time since May.