‘Yemen poised for change’ but serious breakthrough is needed for war to end, UN says

NEW YORK CITY: Although a truce agreed between the Yemeni government and the Iran-backed Houthis expired more than 10 months ago, the people of Yemen continue to reap its benefits, including a decrease in the number of child deaths, and the ongoing flow of fuel shipped through Hodeidah’s port, the UN said on Monday.

It also allowed the first commercial flight in seven years carrying Hajj pilgrims from Sanaa to Saudi Arabia to take place, the organization added.

Tens of thousands of students take exams in Lebanon, including Syrians and Palestinians

LEBANON: More than 43,000 students in Lebanon — including the children of Syrian and Palestinian refugees — sat the official exams for the baccalaureate certificate.

The participation rate exceeded 97 percent on the first day, and the exams — covering general sciences, life sciences, economics, sociology and humanities — will continue until Thursday.

The Ministry of Education described the successful completion of the first day of exams as “an achievement” in light of the collapse of the country and its education sector.

Israeli occupation has turned Palestine into an ‘open-air prison,’ says UN expert

LONDON: The Israeli military occupation has turned Palestine into an “open-air prison” where Palestinians are “constantly confined, surveilled and disciplined,” according to a UN expert.

Biden brands Israeli ministers ‘extreme’

LONDON: US President Joe Biden has described Israel’s government as having “some of the most extreme” members he has ever seen.

When asked by CNN why Benjamin Netanyahu had yet to visit the White House since his election victory last December, Biden said Israel’s prime minister had “problems in terms of his coalition.”

The US president also said the Palestinian Authority had “lost its credibility” and “created a vacuum for extremism among the Palestinians.”

Yemeni government threatens Sanaa airport, Hodeidah port shutdown over Houthi ‘economic war’

AL-MUKALLA: Yemen’s internationally recognized government has threatened to close Sanaa International Airport and restrict ship movements through Hodeidah unless the Iran-backed Houthis stop their “economic war” and end their escalating military operations across the country.

Moammar Al-Eryani, Yemen’s minister of information, said the most recent Houthi economic measures against the Yemeni government and businesses in Sanaa threaten to exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis and jeopardize Yemen’s peace prospects.