Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Tehran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria have not attacked US forces in the two countries since February 4, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, marking a dramatic change from the near-daily attacks of recent months.
The drop comes after the US conducted two high-profile strikes against Iranian proxies in retaliation for a drone attack that killed three US troops at a base in Jordan on January 28.
The US first retaliated on February 2, hitting Iran-backed sites in Iraq and Syria. Then, on February 7, US forces killed a Kataib Hezbollah commander in Iraq.
The Pentagon has not ruled out more strikes, even though Kataib Hezbollah said it would stand down.
The US has blamed a wider grouping of Iranian groups, including Kataib Hezbollah, for the Jordan attack.
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said she did not want to theorise as to whether recent US military actions are having a deterrent effect.
“I can't speculate to the behaviours of why, all I can tell you is that we welcome that … we have not seen attacks since February 4,” Ms Singh told reporters.
Iranian-backed militias increased attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria shortly after the start of the Israel-Gaza war, with the Pentagon reporting more than 165 attacks since mid-October.
Dozens of troops suffered concussive injuries over that time, but the Jordan attack on January 28 was the first time US personnel had been killed.
While Iran-backed Houthis have reduced their activities in Iraq and Syria, the same cannot be said for the Houthis in Yemen.
The Tehran-supported militants are continuing to attack shipping in the Red Sea despite three US and UK bombing runs in Yemen and a string of US “self-defence” strikes against Houthi missile sites.
Ms Singh also said that Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin was expected to be released from hospital later on Tuesday after being treated under general anaesthetic for bladder problems as he battles prostate cancer.
She said Mr Austin, 70, was in “good condition”.
He was admitted to a critical care ward on Sunday and transferred duties to his deputy Kathleen Hicks, who remains in charge for the time being.
Mr Austin's latest health scare came weeks after it emerged he had kept recent hospital stays secret and had not promptly told President Joe Biden of his cancer diagnosis, sparking widespread criticism.
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Napoleon
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Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
The biog
DOB: 25/12/92
Marital status: Single
Education: Post-graduate diploma in UAE Diplomacy and External Affairs at the Emirates Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: I love fencing, I used to fence at the MK Fencing Academy but I want to start again. I also love reading and writing
Lifelong goal: My dream is to be a state minister
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
The%20specs
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The%20Specs%20
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
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Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh209,000
On sale: now
Young women have more “financial grit”, but fall behind on investing
In an October survey of young adults aged 16 to 25, Charles Schwab found young women are more driven to reach financial independence than young men (67 per cent versus. 58 per cent). They are more likely to take on extra work to make ends meet and see more value than men in creating a plan to achieve their financial goals. Yet, despite all these good ‘first’ measures, they are investing and saving less than young men – falling early into the financial gender gap.
While the women surveyed report spending 36 per cent less than men, they have far less savings than men ($1,267 versus $2,000) – a nearly 60 per cent difference.
In addition, twice as many young men as women say they would invest spare cash, and almost twice as many young men as women report having investment accounts (though most young adults do not invest at all).
“Despite their good intentions, young women start to fall behind their male counterparts in savings and investing early on in life,” said Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, senior vice president, Charles Schwab. “They start off showing a strong financial planning mindset, but there is still room for further education when it comes to managing their day-to-day finances.”
Ms Schwab-Pomerantz says parents should be conveying the same messages to boys and girls about money, but should tailor those conversations based on the individual and gender.
"Our study shows that while boys are spending more than girls, they also are saving more. Have open and honest conversations with your daughters about the wage and savings gap," she said. "Teach kids about the importance of investing – especially girls, who as we see in this study, aren’t investing as much. Part of being financially prepared is learning to make the most of your money, and that means investing early and consistently."
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press