A British government minister has accused Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels of using a "smokescreen" to perpetuate the conflict despite global calls for a truce to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak.
James Cleverly, the Foreign Office minister for the Middle East and North Africa, wrote in The National that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' call for a humanitarian ceasefire in the country should be heeded.
Mr Cleverly said that after five years of war Yemen was now "menaced" by the pandemic.
"It is deeply concerning that some of Yemen’s leaders have shirked their responsibilities and sought to use the crisis to serve their own narrow agendas," he wrote.
"We have heard reports of the Houthis blaming migrants for the outbreak and stopping coronavirus cases from being recorded. We must see through this smokescreen."
Despite the threat to millions of lives, Mr Cleverly, who served as chairman of the Conservative Party during last year's general election, said commanders were fuelling the conflict, not seeking to set down arms.
He called on redoubled support for Martin Griffiths, the UN's special envoy to Yemen, who is trying to achieve a ceasefire, open up humanitarian access and build a political process.
"Ultimately, the biggest impediment to the fight against the coronavirus remains Yemen’s horrific conflict," he wrote.
"In this respect, the recent Houthi aggression towards Marib and the conflict in the south are especially concerning."
Mr Cleverly also called on the Houthi leadership to fulfil pledges on allowing aid to get to the needy.
He made a plea for endangered political prisoners in its jails, including Briton Luke Symons, who was detained in 2017.
Mr Cleverly challenged the Houthi leaders to make moves out of the conflict.
"This needs to include urgent steps to facilitate humanitarian access; free political prisoners, including detained British national Luke Symons; reach agreement on a nationwide ceasefire; and build humanitarian and economic confidence," he said.
"These responsible actions are within their power."
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
CHELSEA SQUAD
Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Chalobah, Sarr, Azpilicueta, James, Kenedy, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Pulisic, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, Havertz, Lukaku.
THE%20HOLDOVERS
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Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Sunday
Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)
Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
