Three UN officials urged the US to reverse its decision to designate Yemen's Houthi rebels as terrorists, saying the move could lead to a backlash that causes more food shortages in the conflict-blighted country.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said the Iran-backed Houthis would be classified as a terrorist group, freezing any US-related assets and banning Americans from offering any support to the movement.
The move comes into effect on January 19, the day before President Donald Trump hands over control of the White House to president-elect Joe Biden.
The new administration, however, could revoke the designation.
Yemen's internationally recognised government welcomed the announcement to put pressure on the Iran-backed Houthi movement, which has blocked the distribution of humanitarian aid.
Several regional countries also welcomed the move, as did the Gulf Co-operation Council.
The Secretary General of the GCC, Nayef Al Hajraf, called the move “a necessary step that is consistent with the demands of the Yemeni government".
UN officials fear any backlash from the group, which controls Sanaa and other parts of the north, could worsen food shortages throughout Yemen.
UN aid chief Mark Lowcock told the Security Council on Thursday that Washington’s decision was discouraging suppliers, banks and shipping companies from operating in Yemen.
Mr Lowcock said the threat of US sanctions was reducing imports and causing “famine on a scale that we have not seen for nearly 40 years".
“Some suppliers, banks, shippers and insurers are ringing up their Yemeni partners and saying they now plan to walk away from Yemen altogether,” he told an online council meeting.
“They fear being accidentally or otherwise caught up in US regulatory action that would put them out of business or into jail.”
Locals were stockpiling food before the measures come into effect.
“Yemenis are crowding into markets and shops to stockpile whatever they can afford,” Mr Lowcock said.
His comments were echoed by Martin Griffiths, the UN envoy to Yemen, and David Beasley, head of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning World Food Programme.
“This designation … needs to be reversed,” Mr Beasley said. “It's going to be catastrophic."
Mr Griffiths said the designation cast a shadow on efforts for a peace deal between the Houthis and the government of President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, which the rebels drove from the capital Sanaa in 2014.
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
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Boston%20Strangler
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