Friday, 28 August 2020
Thursday, 27 August 2020
Tuesday, 12 June 2018
Yemen war: Saudi-backed forces begin assault on port of Hudaydah
Saudi-backed forces have begun an assault on the key port of Hudaydah after Houthi rebels ignored a final deadline to withdraw, reports say.
Rebel positions are being bombarded from the air and sea, according to regional media.
Aid agencies have warned of a humanitarian catastrophe if the city is attacked, with up to a quarter of a million casualties possible.
The port is the main entry point for humanitarian aid into Yemen.
More than seven million people in the war-torn country are dependent on food aid.
The Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya network reported that the "liberation" of Hudaydah had begun with a large-scale ground assault supported by air and naval cover.
Explosions were heard on the outskirts of the port city, it added.
The Yemeni government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi said in a statement that all political means to persuade the rebels to withdraw had been exhausted.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), part of the Saudi-led coalition that backs Mr Hadi, had earlier given the Houthis a final ultimatum to withdraw or face imminent attack.
UAE Junior Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash told the BBC that the coalition had run out of patience with diplomatic efforts after a previous 48-hour deadline expired.
He said the coalition wanted the UN to take control of the port but it was prepared to take military action if the Houthis refused to withdraw.
The civil war in Yemen has killed about 10,000 people over the past three years and created what the UN says is the world's worst humanitarian disaster.
A Saudi-led multinational coalition intervened in the conflict in Yemen in March 2015 as forces loyal to President Hadi battled the Houthi movement, which champions Yemen's Zaidi Shia Muslim minority.
White House aide apologises over 'special place in hell' comment
White House aide apologises over 'special place in hell' comment
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro apologised on Tuesday for his sharp comments directed at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after last week's Group of Seven summit, according to the Wall Street Journal.
At an event hosted by the Journal, Navarro said he had made a mistake, according to the newspaper."My mission was to send a strong signal of strength," Navarro said at the event, the Journal reported. "The problem is that in conveying that message I used language that was inappropriate."
Navarro, in a Fox News interview on Sunday, condemned Trudeau after the Canadian leader's post-summit news conference following the summit with US President Donald Trump and other world leaders from the Group of Seven.
"There is a special place in hell for any leader that engages in bad-faith diplomacy with President Donald J. Trump and then tries to stab him in the back on the way out the door and that’s what bad-faith Justin Trudeau did with that stunt press conference. That’s what weak, dishonest Justin Trudeau did," Navarro said on the "Fox News Sunday" programme.
A day before, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow also lashed out at Trudeau.
Both aides accused Trudeau of betraying Trump when he gave a news conference after the US president had departed. At the event, Trudeau said Canada would take retaliatory steps in response to Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs imposed on Canada and other allies.
PM, FM meet Pakistan’s envoy
PM, FM meet Pakistan’s envoy
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met yesterday with the outgoing Pakistani ambassador to Qatar Shahzad Ahmad. The prime minister wished the ambassador success in his future tasks and further progress and prosperity to ties between the two countries. For his part, the ambassador expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the prime minister and the State’s officials for the co-operation he received during his tenure. Below: HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani also met with the Pakistani ambassador. He thanked the ambassador for his efforts in supporting and promoting bilateral relations, wishing him success in his future duties.
Messi says Argentina future depends on show in World Cup
Messi says Argentina future depends on show in World Cup
Argentina captain Lionel Messi said his international future will be determined by his country’s performance at the World Cup in Russia.
“It will depend on how far we go, how we’re going to finish” at the finals, Messi said in an interview with Spanish daily Sport.
“We’ve just lost wwthree finals in a row, which has led to us going through some difficult moments with the press,” added the Barcelona forward.
“Notably with the Argentine press because we have differences of opinion over what it means to make these three finals.”
Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final 1-0 to Germany after extra time, before suffering successive defeats by Chile on penalties at the Copa America in 2015 and 2016.
Messi, who will turn 31 during the World Cup, believes Spain, Brazil, Germany, France and Belgium are the leading contenders for the title.
“There are lots of teams who arrive with lots of confidence, with both a team game and individual talents,” said the five-time world player of the year.
Argentina launch their World Cup campaign against Iceland on Saturday in Moscow, with games to follow against Croatia and Nigeria in Group D.
