Chinese tanker passes Red Sea choke point despite Houthi blockade

Aden (TIP): The Houthi militia in Yemen appears to be allowing some ships to pass through the Bab al-Mandab strait at the mouth of the Red Sea, despite its blockade of shipping to Saudi Arabia, experts said
A Chinese oil tanker, Cosco Shipping’s VLCC Xin Long Yang, has been granted permission to pass through the waterway, according to the trade publication Lloyd’s List.
It said Chinese tankers returning from the Saudi port of Yanbu in the Red Sea may be able to negotiate passage with the Iranian-backed Houthis on a case-by-case basis.
The US think tank Institute for the Study of War has so far counted seven ships that altered their course to avoid passing through the Bab al-Mandab following the Houthi threats.
The militia declared a “blockade” on maritime traffic to and from Saudi Arabia on Monday, around a week after a new confrontation with neighbouring Saudi Arabia, which has been at war with the militia for more than a decade.
Earlier, the Saudi oil tanker Encelia was attacked, causing a fire to break out on board.
Australia announces fresh $3.2 bn for nuclear subs
Sydney, July 25 (TIP): Australia has unveiled a fresh $3.2 billion investment to strengthen its nuclear-powered submarine programme under the AUKUS security partnership, reinforcing its long-term commitment to expanding defence capabilities amid growing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific.
The latest funding package will be used to accelerate the expansion of shipbuilding infrastructure, modernise naval facilities and support the construction of Australia’s future fleet of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. The investment is part of Canberra’s broader effort to establish a domestic industrial base capable of building, maintaining and sustaining the submarines over their operational lifetime. The announcement comes as Australia presses ahead with one of the most ambitious defence modernisation programmes in its history. Officials said the funding will help prepare shipyards, strengthen supply chains and develop a skilled workforce required for the complex submarine programme.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the investment reflects Australia’s determination to build a sovereign defence manufacturing capability while fulfilling commitments made under the AUKUS partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom.