Saudi-led forces start assault on Yemen port +++ Japan sees US-South Korean drills as vital

14. Juli 2018, 02:00

Saudi-led forces start assault on Yemen port

In Yemen, the Saudi-led coalition has begun an assault on the key port of Hudaydah, which is held by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The bombing started after the rebels ignored a deadline to withdraw from the area. The port is the main point of entry for aid for people in rebel-held areas and there've been warnings that any attack on the city would be a catastrophe. Abdullah Zaheri is the deputy head of a local hospital: "believe me - any military assault on Hudaydah will have a really catastrophic impact. 600,000 people living inside Hudaydah city are at real risk of losing their lives."

Japan sees US-South Korean drills as vital

Japan has expressed concern about President Trump's announcement that the US is suspending its joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump made the statement after his summit with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore yesterday. The Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said the military drills have played an important role in the security of the region: "none of the details have been decided. But we believe the US-South Korea military drills are vital for the security of northeast Asia. I'd like to seek an understanding of this between Japan, the US and South Korea."

Row between Italy and France over migrant ship

A row has broken out between France and Italy over the Italian government's refusal to take in a migrant rescue ship with nearly 630 people on board. The French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Rome of being irresponsible. But the new Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has demanded an apology and said France had failed to take in its share of asylum seekers under an EU agreement. Meanwhile, the migrant rescue ship is continuing to make its way to the Spanish port of Valencia after Spain agreed to accept it.

Greece and Macedonia settle name dispute

Following a dispute lasting well over two decades and numerous rounds of negotiations, the Prime Ministers of Greece and Macedonia have agreed on a new name for the former Yugoslav state. It's to be known as the "Republic of North Macedonia" to distinguish it from the Greek province of the same name.

The weather

Some heavy and persistent rain forecast for the northern side of the Alps with highs between 12 and 18 degrees. The east and South will have a bit of sunshine but with some heavy showers and thunderstorms developing and highs ranging between 19 and 25 degrees.

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