News Wrap: Global trade concerns rise amid escalating Red Sea conflict

Lisa Desjardins:

Good evening. I'm Lisa Desjardins. John Yang is away. There is rising concern that the Israel-Hamas conflict could cascade into global trade issues as the world's largest shipping company freezes some operations. Maersk paused its shipping in the Red Sea a major route for two days.

That after Houthi gunman allied with Iran and Hamas again attacked one of their ships in the Southern Red Sea. Today for the first time the U.S. military returned fire. U.S. officials say Navy helicopters sank three boats killing 10 Houthi fighters aboard.

Meanwhile, airstrikes intensified today in central Gaza after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday the war would last for many more months for displaced Palestinians that adds to bleak prospects.

Man (through translator):

Everyone around the world is celebrating the New Year watching firework shows. But for us, the firework show here is missiles. My wish for the new year is for the war to stop so that we can return to our homes and live like ordinary people.

Lisa Desjardins:

More than 21,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war broke out. According to the Hamas run Gaza health ministry.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reelected President Felix Tshisekedi to another five-year term with more than 70 percent of the vote. His opponents say that overwhelming margin proves the election was a sham. There have already been violent protests in parts of the country.

Singer Paula Abdul has accused former American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault. The former Idol judge claims Lythgoe forced himself on top of her in one incident and pushed his tongue into her mouth in another. The suit filed Friday it comes before tonight's deadline for sexual assault victims in California to file claims beyond the statute of limitations.

Lythgoe said he is shocked by the allegations which he calls a smear. The lawsuit says Abdul stayed silent for years out of fear of retaliation.

And in a surprise Europe's longest serving monarch 83-year-old Queen Margrethe of Denmark today announced that she will abdicate her throne in favor of her son.

Still to come on PBS News Weekend. 2023 was packed with news we take a look back, and critics weigh in on some of the best and most surprising podcasts of 2023.