6 drone strikes were carried out by Yemen's Houthi rebels group on Friday. The attacks were carried out on the Saudi's state-controlled oil giant ARAMCO in Riyadh, which was later brought under control. According to local reports, there were no injuries or casualties in the attack.

Drone strike launched by Houthis Rebels on Riyadh oil refinery

An air attack on an oil refinery in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Friday caused a fire that was brought under control, the energy ministry said, after Yemen's Houthi group said it targeted the site with six drones.

Drone strike on Riyadh oil refinery claimed by Houthis causes fire

The attack comes after the Saudi led-coalition fighting the Houthis intercepted ten drones launched by the Iran-backed rebels on Sunday.

Yemen's Houthi rebels target Saudi Arabia's Aramco oil facilities

The Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the missile attack which Saudi Arabia led military collision has claimed it had thwarted on Saturday and threatened more attacks.

Houthi rebels claim Saudi Arabia missile attack, warn of more

Global oil prices have jumped after Iran backed Houthis in Yemen attacked Saudi targets. The growing tensions could have an impact on your petrol bills. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how you could feel the pinch.

Gravitas: Tensions spike in Yemen: How you could feel the pinch

Yemen's Huthi rebels on Saturday called the US move to delist the group as a terrorist organisation an "advanced step towards peace".

A US State Department spokesperson said Friday they had "formally notified Congress" of Secretary of State Antony Blinken's intent to revoke the terrorist designation announced in the final days of the Trump administration.

The decision removes a block humanitarian groups said jeopardised crucial aid.

Abdulelah Hajar, advisor to the head of the supreme political council, a Huthi executive body, told AFP that "cancelling the designation is an advanced step towards peace".

The announcement came a day after President Joe Biden announced an end to US support for Saudi-led offensive operations in Yemen.

Hajar said the new US administration had "got off to a good start", but warned the credibility of the steps "will not be achieved unless they are proven on the ground and felt by the Yemeni people -- by lifting the siege and stopping the war".

He also said the newly appointed US special envoy to Yemen, Timothy Lenderking, must "meet all parties", warning that if the Huthis are excluded, "there will be no step towards peace".

The grinding six-year war in Yemen has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions, triggering what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian disaster.

Aid groups say they have no choice but to deal with the Huthis, who are the de facto government in much of Yemen, and that the terrorist designation would put them at risk of prosecution in the United States.

The US state department spokesperson said Friday the decision to remove the designation "has nothing to do with our view of the Huthis and their reprehensible conduct, including attacks against civilians and the kidnapping of American citizens".&nbsp;

"Our action is due entirely to the humanitarian consequences of this last-minute designation from the prior administration."

In ending support for the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen, where 80 percent of the population has been reduced to surviving on aid, Biden was fulfilling a campaign promise to activists who have sounded the alarm over the Yemeni people's suffering.

The state department spokesperson added the US remained committed to helping Saudi Arabia defend its territory against attacks by the rebels.

The kingdom has led a military intervention against the Huthis since 2015.

Yemen's Huthi rebels on Saturday called the US move to delist the group as a terrorist organisation an "advanced step towards peace". A US State Department spokesperson said Friday they had "formally notified Congress" of Secretary of State Antony Blinken's intent to revoke the terrorist designation announced in the final days of the Trump administration.

Yemen's Huthi rebels on Saturday called the US move to delist the group as a terrorist organisation an "advanced step towards peace". A US State Department spokesperson said Friday they had "formally notified Congress" of Secretary of State Antony Blinken's intent to revoke the terrorist designation announced in the final days of the Trump administration. The decision removes a block humanitarian groups said jeopardised crucial aid. Abdulelah Hajar, advisor to the head of the supreme political council, a Huthi executive body, told AFP that "cancelling the designation is an advanced step towards peace". The announcement came a day after President Joe Biden announced an end to US support for Saudi-led offensive operations in Yemen. Hajar said the new US administration had "got off to a good start", but warned the credibility of the steps "will not be achieved unless they are proven on the ground and felt by the Yemeni people -- by lifting the siege and stopping the war". He also said the newly appointed US special envoy to Yemen, Timothy Lenderking, must "meet all parties", warning that if the Huthis are excluded, "there will be no step towards peace". The grinding six-year war in Yemen has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions, triggering what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian disaster. Aid groups say they have no choice but to deal with the Huthis, who are the de facto government in much of Yemen, and that the terrorist designation would put them at risk of prosecution in the United States. The US state department spokesperson said Friday the decision to remove the designation "has nothing to do with our view of the Huthis and their reprehensible conduct, including attacks against civilians and the kidnapping of American citizens". "Our action is due entirely to the humanitarian consequences of this last-minute designation from the prior administration." In ending support for the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen, where 80 percent of the population has been reduced to surviving on aid, Biden was fulfilling a campaign promise to activists who have sounded the alarm over the Yemeni people's suffering. The state department spokesperson added the US remained committed to helping Saudi Arabia defend its territory against attacks by the rebels. The kingdom has led a military intervention against the Huthis since 2015.

Yemen Houthis say end of terror designation a 'step towards peace'

Three top United Nations officials all called on the United States on Thursday to revoke its decision to designate Yemen's Houthis a foreign terrorist organization, warning it would push the country into a large-scale famine and chill peace efforts.

Yemen: Top United Nations officials urge US to revoke blacklisting of Houthis

UN urge US to revoke blacklisting of Yemen's Houthis

The European Union has censured a US decision to label Yemen's Houthis as terrorists. US State Secretary Mike Pompeo had made this announcement on Sunday.

EU slams US for labelling Yemen's Houthis as terrorists

United Nations chief warned on Friday that war-torn Yemen is in imminent danger of the world's worst famine in decades.&nbsp;

"In the absence of immediate action, millions of lives may be lost," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as quoted by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/war-torn-yemen-on-brink-of-losing-an-entire-generation-of-children-to-hunger-un-338662">War-torn Yemen on brink of losing an entire generation of children to hunger: UN</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The war-torn nation has suffered a five-year war between Iranian-backed Huthi rebels and government-backed by Saudi Arabia, the United States and other Western nations.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/satellite-images-reveal-real-covid-19-death-toll-in-yemen-338476">Satellite images reveal real COVID-19 death toll in Yemen</a>

The UN chief's warning comes at a time when Trump administration is considering labelling the Huthis a terror group, a move that could further escalate the crisis.&nbsp;

Aid groups say that the US's action could affect aid deliveries also.&nbsp;

"I urge all those with influence to act urgently on these issues to stave off catastrophe, and I also request that everyone avoids taking any action that could make the already dire situation even worse," Guterres said.&nbsp;

The UN chief later told reporters that the US's move to label Huthis could further destabilize a "very fragile situation".&nbsp;

"We believe that any other unilateral initiative will probably not be positive. I don't think we should rock the boat at the present moment," he said. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

United Nations chief warned on Friday that war-torn Yemen is in imminent danger of the world's worst famine in decades. "In the absence of immediate action, millions of lives may be lost," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as quoted by news agency AFP.

United Nations chief warned on Friday that war-torn Yemen is in imminent danger of the world's worst famine in decades. "In the absence of immediate action, millions of lives may be lost," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as quoted by news agency AFP. Also read | War-torn Yemen on brink of losing an entire generation of children to hunger: UN The war-torn nation has suffered a five-year war between Iranian-backed Huthi rebels and government-backed by Saudi Arabia, the United States and other Western nations. Also read | Satellite images reveal real COVID-19 death toll in Yemen The UN chief's warning comes at a time when Trump administration is considering labelling the Huthis a terror group, a move that could further escalate the crisis. Aid groups say that the US's action could affect aid deliveries also. "I urge all those with influence to act urgently on these issues to stave off catastrophe, and I also request that everyone avoids taking any action that could make the already dire situation even worse," Guterres said. The UN chief later told reporters that the US's move to label Huthis could further destabilize a "very fragile situation". "We believe that any other unilateral initiative will probably not be positive. I don't think we should rock the boat at the present moment," he said.

Yemen in 'imminent danger' of world's worst famine in decades, warns UN

A Saudi-led coalition has started a military operation against Yemen's Houthi movement after it stepped up cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, Saudi state television reported on Wednesday (July 1).

Saudi-led coalition starts military operation against Yemen's Houthis

Naval forces from the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen on Sunday foiled an "imminent terrorist" attack by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in the southern Red Sea, a major commercial shipping channel, the coalition said.

The forces destroyed an unmanned boat laden with explosives that was launched from Hodeidah province in western Yemen, coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki said in a statement on Saudi state news agency SPA, without identifying the targets.

There was no immediate confirmation from the Houthi movement, which has been battling the Sunni Muslim military coalition since 2015 in a conflict that is largely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and arch-foe Shi'ite Iran.

Yemen lies along the Bab al-Mandeb strait at the southern mouth of the Red Sea, one of the most important trade routes for oil tankers heading from the Middle East to Europe.

Malki said the planned attack posed a threat to regional and international security and maritime trade. He said the use of Hodeidah for operations was a "glaring violation" of a UN-led peace deal in the disputed port city that was agreed between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthis in December 2018.

Violence rose in January, ending more than three months of unprecedented calm in the five-year-old conflict following informal ceasefire talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

Coalition warplanes carried out several airstrikes on the Houthi-held capital Sanaa on Sunday, hitting the presidential palace and other military sites, residents told Reuters.

The strikes were the first to hit the capital for several months, they said, and followed ballistic missile attacks by Houthi forces on Saudi cities on Friday, as the kingdom prepared for a gathering of finance ministers from the Group of 20 major economies in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia paused oil shipments through Bab al-Mandeb for more than a week in 2018 after the Houthis attacked two ships in the waterway.

The Western-backed coalition intervened in Yemen to try to restore the internationally recognised government that was ousted from power in the capital Sanaa in late 2014 by the Houthis, who now control most major urban centres.

Naval forces from the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen on Sunday foiled an "imminent terrorist" attack by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in the southern Red Sea, a major commercial shipping channel, the coalition said.

Naval forces from the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen on Sunday foiled an "imminent terrorist" attack by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in the southern Red Sea, a major commercial shipping channel, the coalition said. The forces destroyed an unmanned boat laden with explosives that was launched from Hodeidah province in western Yemen, coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki said in a statement on Saudi state news agency SPA, without identifying the targets. There was no immediate confirmation from the Houthi movement, which has been battling the Sunni Muslim military coalition since 2015 in a conflict that is largely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and arch-foe Shi'ite Iran. Yemen lies along the Bab al-Mandeb strait at the southern mouth of the Red Sea, one of the most important trade routes for oil tankers heading from the Middle East to Europe. Malki said the planned attack posed a threat to regional and international security and maritime trade. He said the use of Hodeidah for operations was a "glaring violation" of a UN-led peace deal in the disputed port city that was agreed between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthis in December 2018. Violence rose in January, ending more than three months of unprecedented calm in the five-year-old conflict following informal ceasefire talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Coalition warplanes carried out several airstrikes on the Houthi-held capital Sanaa on Sunday, hitting the presidential palace and other military sites, residents told Reuters. The strikes were the first to hit the capital for several months, they said, and followed ballistic missile attacks by Houthi forces on Saudi cities on Friday, as the kingdom prepared for a gathering of finance ministers from the Group of 20 major economies in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia paused oil shipments through Bab al-Mandeb for more than a week in 2018 after the Houthis attacked two ships in the waterway. The Western-backed coalition intervened in Yemen to try to restore the internationally recognised government that was ousted from power in the capital Sanaa in late 2014 by the Houthis, who now control most major urban centres.

Saudi-led coalition says it foiled Red Sea attack by Yemen's Houthis

Yemen's president told the military on Sunday it needs to be on high alert and ready for battle following an attack on Saturday by Iran-aligned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-investigators-find-yemens-houthis-did-not-carry-out-saudi-oil-attack-273077">Houthis</a> on a military training camp in the city of Marib.

The attack "confirms without a doubt that the Houthis have no desire for peace", <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-climbs-to-seven-in-missile-attack-in-yemen-270894">Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi</a> said, in a statement on Yemen's state news agency SABA.

The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for Saturday's attack.

The attack killed 73 people and left dozens wounded, two medical sources told reporters. The sources said the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/17-civilians-killed-in-3rd-attack-on-yemen-market-united-nations-270403">attack</a> targeted a mosque in the camp as people gathered for prayer.

Saudi state TV put the death toll from the attack at 60.

A proxy war has been playing out in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blast-hits-military-parade-in-yemen-at-least-five-dead-270854">Yemen</a> between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to restore Hadi's government, which the Houthis ousted from power in the capital Sanaa and is now based in the southern port city of Aden.

The Houthis deny being puppets of Iran and say they are fighting a corrupt system.

Yemen's president told the military on Sunday it needs to be on high alert and ready for battle following an attack on Saturday by Iran-aligned Houthis on a military training camp in the city of Marib.

Yemen's president told the military on Sunday it needs to be on high alert and ready for battle following an attack on Saturday by Iran-aligned Houthis on a military training camp in the city of Marib. The attack "confirms without a doubt that the Houthis have no desire for peace", Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi said, in a statement on Yemen's state news agency SABA. The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for Saturday's attack. The attack killed 73 people and left dozens wounded, two medical sources told reporters. The sources said the attack targeted a mosque in the camp as people gathered for prayer. Saudi state TV put the death toll from the attack at 60. A proxy war has been playing out in Yemen between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to restore Hadi's government, which the Houthis ousted from power in the capital Sanaa and is now based in the southern port city of Aden. The Houthis deny being puppets of Iran and say they are fighting a corrupt system.

'Military needs to be on high alert': President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group broadcast footage on Sunday that it said showed a major attack near the border with Saudi Arabia's southern region of Najran, adding that its forces had captured troops and vehicles.

Houthis release footage said to show border attack and Saudi forces surrendering

The spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen on Monday said it was "not appropriate" to respond to claims made by <a href="wionews.com/world/attacked-saudi-border-frontline-captured-troops-houthis-252644">Iran-aligned Houthis insurgents</a> that they had carried out a major attack, in which thousands of Saudi troops and many vehicles were captured.

"Their media is deceptive, it creates events, it tries to misguide public opinion inside Yemen, regionally and internationally," Colonel Turki al-Malki said at a news conference in Riyadh.

The Houthis said the attack happened near the border with Saudi Arabia's southern region of Najran.

Yemen's interior minister earlier denied that the incident had taken place and said video released by the Houthis was old footage.

Al-Malki also hailed the "great effort" by the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) in facilitating the release of prisoners of war from Houthi custody.

Gravitas: Houthis 'attack' Saudi soldiers

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-houthis-attack-saudi-soldiers-252903/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The ICRC said 290 Yemeni nationals were transferred from the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa to their homes on Monday - a unilateral move that the United Nations hoped would help revive a stalled peace process after months of failed efforts to push through a prisoner swap.

The Houthis agreed in Sweden in December with Yemen's Saudi-backed government to swap prisoners as a confidence-building step. But the arrangement has been stalled as the sides struggled to agree on implementation. Each side was meant to release around 7,000 prisoners.

When asked about the prisoner release, al-Malki said he did not have any more information on it.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed millions to the brink of famine. The United Nations calls it the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen on Monday said it was "not appropriate" to respond to claims made by Iran-aligned Houthis insurgents that they had carried out a major attack, in which thousands of Saudi troops and many vehicles were captured.

The spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen on Monday said it was "not appropriate" to respond to claims made by Iran-aligned Houthis insurgents that they had carried out a major attack, in which thousands of Saudi troops and many vehicles were captured. "Their media is deceptive, it creates events, it tries to misguide public opinion inside Yemen, regionally and internationally," Colonel Turki al-Malki said at a news conference in Riyadh. The Houthis said the attack happened near the border with Saudi Arabia's southern region of Najran. Yemen's interior minister earlier denied that the incident had taken place and said video released by the Houthis was old footage. Al-Malki also hailed the "great effort" by the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) in facilitating the release of prisoners of war from Houthi custody. Gravitas: Houthis 'attack' Saudi soldiers The ICRC said 290 Yemeni nationals were transferred from the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa to their homes on Monday - a unilateral move that the United Nations hoped would help revive a stalled peace process after months of failed efforts to push through a prisoner swap. The Houthis agreed in Sweden in December with Yemen's Saudi-backed government to swap prisoners as a confidence-building step. But the arrangement has been stalled as the sides struggled to agree on implementation. Each side was meant to release around 7,000 prisoners. When asked about the prisoner release, al-Malki said he did not have any more information on it. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed millions to the brink of famine. The United Nations calls it the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Houthis 'deceptive' over Najran attack claims: Saudi-led coalition

As The Conflict In West Asia Intensifies, Here's A Look At What This Means For Saudi Arabia On #WionEdit, @Palkisu analyses the rising conflict in West Asia. Over the last few weeks, Saudi Arabia has faced two major setbacks, one is the attack on the oil fields and the other is the recent claims made by Houthis. It's clear that Saudi Arabia is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

WION Edit: Is Saudi Arabia on the backfoot?

Who Is Raheel Sharif? Why Is He Leading An Anti-terror Coalition In Saudi Arabia? Yemen's Houthi rebels claim to have killed or wounded hundreds of soldiers of Saudi Arabia. They also say that thousands of soldiers surrendered, including three brigades of troops led by Raheel Sharif, former Pakistan army Chief. The report brings the story of Raheel Sharif

Gravitas: The story of Raheel Sharif

Houthis Claim That They Killed Or Wounded 500 Saudi Arabian Soldiers Four years after the Saudi-led coalition's war in Yemen, Saudi Arabia seems to be losing ground. Houthis claim that they have killed or wounded 500 Saudi Arabian soldiers. But there hasn't been any confirmation from Riyadh yet. Palki gets the latest updates.

Gravitas: Houthis 'attack' Saudi soldiers

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group broadcast footage on Sunday (September 29) that it said showed a major attack near the border with Saudi Arabia's southern region of Najran, adding that its forces had captured troops and vehicles.

Watch: Video shows attack on Saudi forces

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - September 22nd, 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - Sept 20th, 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the afternoon - Sept 20th, 2019

The Houthi movement attracts its Zaidi-Shia followers in Yemen by promoting regional political-religious issues in its media, including the overarching US-Israeli conspiracy and Arab collusion.

Who are the Houthis? Know their history

Houthis In Focus After Attacks On Saudi Oil Facilities

Gravitas: Houthis, backed by Iran, Take on Saudi Arabia

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - September 19th, 2019

The World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday (August 21) resumed distributing food to 850,000 people in Yemen's capital Sanaa after a two-month stoppage, having reached an agreement with the Iran-aligned Houthi authorities who control the city.

WFP resumes food distribution in Yemen's Sanaa after deal with Houthis

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-warns-of-risk-of-conflict-trump-sees-scope-for-deal-229848">Iran warns of risk of conflict, Trump sees scope for deal</a>

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he was not seeking war with Tehran after a senior Iranian military commander warned any conflict in the Gulf region could spread uncontrollably and threaten the lives of US troops.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-says-hopes-trump-letter-to-north-korean-leader-can-restart-talks-229852">Pompeo says hopes Trump letter to North Korean leader can restart talks</a>

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that he hopes a letter sent by President Donald Trump to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un can pave the way for new talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear program.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-houthis-hit-saudi-airport-killing-one-wounding-21-saudi-led-coalition-229864">Yemen's Houthis hit Saudi airport, killing one, wounding 21: Saudi-led coalition</a>

Yemen's Houthi movement launched an attack on Abha civilian airport in southern Saudi Arabia on Sunday that killed one person and wounded 21 others, the Saudi-led coalition battling the group in Yemen said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huge-crowds-of-protesters-demand-czech-pm-step-down-229851">Huge crowds of protesters demand Czech PM step down</a>

Huge crowds flooded central Prague on Sunday demanding Prime Minister Andrej Babis step down over allegations of graft in a protest that organisers and local media claim drew around 250,000 people, making it the largest since the fall of communism in 1989.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-death-toll-due-to-suspected-acute-encephalitis-rises-to-167-229867">Bihar: Death toll due to suspected acute encephalitis rises to 167</a>

The death toll due to suspected Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) rose to 167 in Bihar, according to the statistics released by the health department on Monday.

&nbsp;

Iran warns of risk of conflict, Trump sees scope for deal US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he was not seeking war with Tehran after a senior Iranian military commander warned any conflict in the Gulf region could spread uncontrollably and threaten the lives of US troops.

Iran warns of risk of conflict, Trump sees scope for deal US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he was not seeking war with Tehran after a senior Iranian military commander warned any conflict in the Gulf region could spread uncontrollably and threaten the lives of US troops. Pompeo says hopes Trump letter to North Korean leader can restart talks US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that he hopes a letter sent by President Donald Trump to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un can pave the way for new talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear program. Yemen's Houthis hit Saudi airport, killing one, wounding 21: Saudi-led coalition Yemen's Houthi movement launched an attack on Abha civilian airport in southern Saudi Arabia on Sunday that killed one person and wounded 21 others, the Saudi-led coalition battling the group in Yemen said. Huge crowds of protesters demand Czech PM step down Huge crowds flooded central Prague on Sunday demanding Prime Minister Andrej Babis step down over allegations of graft in a protest that organisers and local media claim drew around 250,000 people, making it the largest since the fall of communism in 1989. Bihar: Death toll due to suspected acute encephalitis rises to 167 The death toll due to suspected Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) rose to 167 in Bihar, according to the statistics released by the health department on Monday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-protests-sea-lanes-for-other-countries-for-zero-compensation-we-dont-even-need-to-be-there-trump-230043">US protests sea lanes for other countries for zero compensation, we don’t even need to be there: Trump</a>

"China gets 91% of its Oil from the Strait, Japan 62%, &amp; many other countries likewise. All of these countries should be protecting their own ships on what has always been a dangerous journey," Trump said in a tweet.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/absolute-possibility-pakistan-could-blacklisted-fatf-president-billingslea-230015">Absolute possibility Pakistan could blacklisted: FATF president Billingslea</a>

Following its greylisting in 2018, Islamabad had made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF to deal with “structural deficiencies” in its anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) or simply put-- acting on the financing of terror.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/satellite-image-shows-chennais-largest-reservoir-lake-puzhal-going-dry-229994">Satellite image shows Chennai's largest reservoir lake Puzhal going dry</a>

Chennai has been hit by water shortage in the past month due to delay in the monsoon. According to state government data, the city's four major reservoirs have just 0.2% capacity currently.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pakistan-beats-india-in-dropped-catches-with-a-huge-margin-in-world-cup-2019-229984">Pakistan 'beat' India in dropped catches with a huge margin in World Cup 2019</a>

The Men in Green won despite dropping at least six catches during the match, and by being consistent in their sloppy fielding in the tournament.Sloppy fielding, almost as regular a feature of Pakistan cricket as dazzling fast bowling, continues to let Pakistan down.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/in-pics-george-clooney-and-wife-amal-vacation-with-the-obamas-in-italy-230051">In pics: George Clooney and wife Amal vacation with the Obamas in Italy</a>

Most recent of the lot are George Clooney and wife Amal as they vacation with Barack and Michelle Obama in Italy. The couples apparently left for a trip soon after Sasha Obama’s high school graduation got over. They started with South of France according to a report published in People.&nbsp;

US protests sea lanes for other countries for zero compensation, we don’t even need to be there: Trump "China gets 91% of its Oil from the Strait, Japan 62%, & many other countries likewise.

US protests sea lanes for other countries for zero compensation, we don’t even need to be there: Trump "China gets 91% of its Oil from the Strait, Japan 62%, & many other countries likewise. All of these countries should be protecting their own ships on what has always been a dangerous journey," Trump said in a tweet. Absolute possibility Pakistan could blacklisted: FATF president Billingslea Following its greylisting in 2018, Islamabad had made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF to deal with “structural deficiencies” in its anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) or simply put-- acting on the financing of terror. Satellite image shows Chennai's largest reservoir lake Puzhal going dry Chennai has been hit by water shortage in the past month due to delay in the monsoon. According to state government data, the city's four major reservoirs have just 0.2% capacity currently. Pakistan 'beat' India in dropped catches with a huge margin in World Cup 2019 The Men in Green won despite dropping at least six catches during the match, and by being consistent in their sloppy fielding in the tournament.Sloppy fielding, almost as regular a feature of Pakistan cricket as dazzling fast bowling, continues to let Pakistan down. In pics: George Clooney and wife Amal vacation with the Obamas in Italy Most recent of the lot are George Clooney and wife Amal as they vacation with Barack and Michelle Obama in Italy. The couples apparently left for a trip soon after Sasha Obama’s high school graduation got over. They started with South of France according to a report published in People.

Yemen’s Houthis start redeployment in Hodeidah as part of UN deal

A UN&nbsp;advance team arrived in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-warring-sides-trade-blame-for-truce-breach-swap-prisoner-lists-185321">Yemen</a>'s port city of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemenis-in-hodeidah-hope-truce-holds-as-warring-parties-talk-peace-184115">Hodeidah</a> on Sunday to start monitoring a ceasefire and withdrawal of forces agreed by the Iranian-aligned Houthi group and Saudi-backed government forces, the United Nations said.

The warring parties in Yemen's nearly four-year war reached the deal at UN-sponsored peace talks in Sweden earlier this month. The truce began on Tuesday but skirmishes continued on the outskirts of the city.

The UN&nbsp;Security Council on Friday unanimously approved the deployment&nbsp;for an initial 30 days of an advance monitoring team led by retired Dutch General Patrick Cammaert. He is chair of a Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) that includes representatives from both sides of the conflict.

"General Cammaert is encouraged by the general enthusiasm of both sides to get to work, immediately. One of the priorities in the coming days will be the organization of the first joint RCC meeting, which is projected for 26 December," UN&nbsp;spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Cammaert's team, which the United Nations has said will not be uninformed or armed, will oversee the truce and troop withdrawal from Hodeidah city and three ports.

The United Nations will also provide support for the management of and inspections at the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa; and strengthen its presence in the war-torn region.

Hodeidah, the main port used to feed Yemen's 30 million people, has been the focus of fighting this year, raising fears abroad that a full-scale assault could cut off supplies to nearly 16 million people suffering from severe hunger.

The deal reached in Sweden is meant to pave the way for a wider ceasefire in the impoverished country and the second round of talks in January on a framework for political negotiations.

A Sunni Muslim Arab alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates entered the war in 2015 against the Houthis to restore the internationally recognized government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from the capital Sanaa.

The Houthis control most urban centres, including Sanaa, while Hadi's government is based in the southern port of Aden.

A UN advance team arrived in Yemen's port city of Hodeidah on Sunday to start monitoring a ceasefire and withdrawal of forces agreed by the Iranian-aligned Houthi group and Saudi-backed government forces, the United Nations said.

A UN advance team arrived in Yemen's port city of Hodeidah on Sunday to start monitoring a ceasefire and withdrawal of forces agreed by the Iranian-aligned Houthi group and Saudi-backed government forces, the United Nations said. The warring parties in Yemen's nearly four-year war reached the deal at UN-sponsored peace talks in Sweden earlier this month. The truce began on Tuesday but skirmishes continued on the outskirts of the city. The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously approved the deployment for an initial 30 days of an advance monitoring team led by retired Dutch General Patrick Cammaert. He is chair of a Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) that includes representatives from both sides of the conflict. "General Cammaert is encouraged by the general enthusiasm of both sides to get to work, immediately. One of the priorities in the coming days will be the organization of the first joint RCC meeting, which is projected for 26 December," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. Cammaert's team, which the United Nations has said will not be uninformed or armed, will oversee the truce and troop withdrawal from Hodeidah city and three ports. The United Nations will also provide support for the management of and inspections at the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa; and strengthen its presence in the war-torn region. Hodeidah, the main port used to feed Yemen's 30 million people, has been the focus of fighting this year, raising fears abroad that a full-scale assault could cut off supplies to nearly 16 million people suffering from severe hunger. The deal reached in Sweden is meant to pave the way for a wider ceasefire in the impoverished country and the second round of talks in January on a framework for political negotiations. A Sunni Muslim Arab alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates entered the war in 2015 against the Houthis to restore the internationally recognized government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from the capital Sanaa. The Houthis control most urban centres, including Sanaa, while Hadi's government is based in the southern port of Aden.

Advance UN truce monitors arrive in Yemen's Hodeidah

An <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-warring-sides-trade-blame-for-truce-breach-swap-prisoner-lists-185321">uneasy calm returned to the battleground Yemeni city of Hodeida</a> on Thursday after further overnight skirmishes, as the warring parties await the promised deployment of UN staff to oversee a hard-won but fragile truce.

The ceasefire in the Red Sea port city, which is a vital aid lifeline for millions at risk of starvation, is the centrepiece of a peace push that is seen as the best chance yet of ending four years of devastating conflict.

Military officials and residents have reported intermittent fighting between Saudi-backed government forces and Huthi Shiite rebels since the UN-brokered ceasefire came into effect in the city and its surroundings on Tuesday.&nbsp;

A pro-government official told AFP that four loyalists were wounded in a firefight on Wednesday night.&nbsp;

"The exchange of fire lasted for about half an hour, and there is an uneasy calm this morning," he said.

Residents reached by telephone confirmed to AFP that there was no fighting on Thursday morning. &nbsp;

The official added there has been intermittent fighting on a number of battlefronts in Hodeida province, including the districts of Hays and Al-Tuhayta.

A coalition official told AFP the "level of intensity" of Huthi attacks had decreased, which was "a positive sign but too early to draw concrete conclusions".

Pro-government forces and Huthi rebels accused each other of breaching the ceasefire agreed at talks in Sweden earlier this month.

The rebel-run Saba news agency said loyalists targeted a "number of neighbourhoods in the city" overnight.&nbsp;

'Breathing down the neck' 
UN observers are due in Yemen to head up monitoring teams made up of government and rebel representatives tasked with overseeing the implementation of the UN-brokered ceasefire, under the auspices of a Redeployment Coordination Committee.

The committee's UN chair, Patrick Cammaert, convened its first meeting by videoconference from New York on Wednesday "to discuss the general outlines of its work, including agreement of a code of conduct", UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.&nbsp;

UN chief Antonio Guterres was "breathing down the neck" of officials to make sure the UN observers are deployed as soon as possible, Dujarric said.

He added that Cammaert will head on Thursday to Jordan from where he will travel on to the rebel-held capital Sanaa and Hodeida.&nbsp;

A UN official told AFP that he was expected in Amman on Friday.&nbsp;

"His departure to Yemen depends on logistics arrangements and flight availability," the official, who requested anonymity, said.

Brigadier General Ahmed al-Kokbani, a Yemeni government representative on the committee, told AFP that the videoconference with Cammaert covered the bases of the committee's mission.&nbsp;

"Cammaert asked members of the team to work diligently in calming the situation and to reject any violations," he said.

The coalition source reiterated Thursday the Saudi-alliance's commitment to UN peace efforts, saying: "We will extend our full support to Cammaert... and we hope to see positive progress".

The coalition said Wednesday that the hard-won ceasefire agreement will collapse if rebel violations persist and the United Nations does not intervene.

The committee's observers are due to oversee the withdrawal of the warring parties from Hodeida, including a rebel pullout from the city's docks that are the entry point for 80 percent of Yemeni imports and nearly all UN-supervised humanitarian aid.

Cammaert is due to report back to the Security Council about the situation on the ground on a weekly basis.

According to the International Crisis Group, the "odds are stacked against" UN envoy Martin Griffiths and his team.&nbsp;

"The Hodeida agreement came about in a rush, and critics have assailed it as too vague and open to interpretation," it said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Griffiths will now have to build on this imperfect but highly welcome and overdue agreement, which, as Crisis Group has argued, the UN Security Council should endorse via a new resolution," it added.&nbsp;

"Without strong international support, the Hodeida ceasefire will falter."

The war between the Shiite Huthi rebels and troops loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi escalated in 2015, when he fled into Saudi exile and the Saudi-led military coalition intervened.

Since then, the war has killed some 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high.

The conflict has pushed 14 million people to the brink of famine in what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

An uneasy calm returned to the battleground Yemeni city of Hodeida on Thursday after further overnight skirmishes, as the warring parties await the promised deployment of UN staff to oversee a hard-won but fragile truce.

An uneasy calm returned to the battleground Yemeni city of Hodeida on Thursday after further overnight skirmishes, as the warring parties await the promised deployment of UN staff to oversee a hard-won but fragile truce. The ceasefire in the Red Sea port city, which is a vital aid lifeline for millions at risk of starvation, is the centrepiece of a peace push that is seen as the best chance yet of ending four years of devastating conflict. Military officials and residents have reported intermittent fighting between Saudi-backed government forces and Huthi Shiite rebels since the UN-brokered ceasefire came into effect in the city and its surroundings on Tuesday. A pro-government official told AFP that four loyalists were wounded in a firefight on Wednesday night. "The exchange of fire lasted for about half an hour, and there is an uneasy calm this morning," he said. Residents reached by telephone confirmed to AFP that there was no fighting on Thursday morning. The official added there has been intermittent fighting on a number of battlefronts in Hodeida province, including the districts of Hays and Al-Tuhayta. A coalition official told AFP the "level of intensity" of Huthi attacks had decreased, which was "a positive sign but too early to draw concrete conclusions". Pro-government forces and Huthi rebels accused each other of breaching the ceasefire agreed at talks in Sweden earlier this month. The rebel-run Saba news agency said loyalists targeted a "number of neighbourhoods in the city" overnight. 'Breathing down the neck' UN observers are due in Yemen to head up monitoring teams made up of government and rebel representatives tasked with overseeing the implementation of the UN-brokered ceasefire, under the auspices of a Redeployment Coordination Committee. The committee's UN chair, Patrick Cammaert, convened its first meeting by videoconference from New York on Wednesday "to discuss the general outlines of its work, including agreement of a code of conduct", UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. UN chief Antonio Guterres was "breathing down the neck" of officials to make sure the UN observers are deployed as soon as possible, Dujarric said. He added that Cammaert will head on Thursday to Jordan from where he will travel on to the rebel-held capital Sanaa and Hodeida. A UN official told AFP that he was expected in Amman on Friday. "His departure to Yemen depends on logistics arrangements and flight availability," the official, who requested anonymity, said. Brigadier General Ahmed al-Kokbani, a Yemeni government representative on the committee, told AFP that the videoconference with Cammaert covered the bases of the committee's mission. "Cammaert asked members of the team to work diligently in calming the situation and to reject any violations," he said. The coalition source reiterated Thursday the Saudi-alliance's commitment to UN peace efforts, saying: "We will extend our full support to Cammaert... and we hope to see positive progress". The coalition said Wednesday that the hard-won ceasefire agreement will collapse if rebel violations persist and the United Nations does not intervene. The committee's observers are due to oversee the withdrawal of the warring parties from Hodeida, including a rebel pullout from the city's docks that are the entry point for 80 percent of Yemeni imports and nearly all UN-supervised humanitarian aid. Cammaert is due to report back to the Security Council about the situation on the ground on a weekly basis. According to the International Crisis Group, the "odds are stacked against" UN envoy Martin Griffiths and his team. "The Hodeida agreement came about in a rush, and critics have assailed it as too vague and open to interpretation," it said in a statement on Wednesday. "Griffiths will now have to build on this imperfect but highly welcome and overdue agreement, which, as Crisis Group has argued, the UN Security Council should endorse via a new resolution," it added. "Without strong international support, the Hodeida ceasefire will falter." The war between the Shiite Huthi rebels and troops loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi escalated in 2015, when he fled into Saudi exile and the Saudi-led military coalition intervened. Since then, the war has killed some 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high. The conflict has pushed 14 million people to the brink of famine in what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

'Uneasy calm' in Yemen's Hodeida as combatants await UN truce team

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