UN hails Syria approval of aid to besieged areas

1. The United Nations has welcomed the Syrian government’s decision to allow humanitarian aid into three besieged areas in the Damascus Countryside and Idlib province. UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the UN is preparing to deliver humanitarian assistance to Madaya, Fuaa and Kefraya in the coming days.

2. Israeli authorities have demolished three more Palestinian structures in Jerusalem al-Quds in the occupied West Bank. Bulldozers escorted by Israeli forces razed a two-store building along with an incomplete apartment in the Silwan neighborhood. A restaurant was also partially destroyed in the Beit Safafa neighborhood.

3. Saudi warplanes carry out more airstrikes in Yemen. Several raids were carried out in the Dars area north of Yemen’s capital Sana’a, and the Ghayl district in Jawf province. The Saudi onslaught, which began on March 26, has left more than 7,400 Yemenis, including many women and children dead.

4. British media have revealed that the UK is directly involved in Saudi Arabia’s deadly military campaign against Yemen. In an exclusive report, Sky News said at least six British experts are working with Saudi forces who select locations for attack in Yemen.

5. Iran’s ambassador in Turkey has denied reports that he has been summoned by Ankara. Alireza Bigdeli said he visited the Turkish foreign ministry to explain Iran’s stance and the latest regional developments. Earlier reports suggested he was summoned over what Ankara described as criticism of Turkish President by the Iranian press.

6. South Korea has resumed propaganda broadcasts into North Korea following Pyongyang’s alleged nuclear test on Wednesday. The cross-border broadcasts blare out rhetoric critical of the Pyongyang. The north considers this as psychological warfare and an insult. It has responded by beefing up its troops along the border.

7. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said he will veto any possible European Union sanctions against Poland. He said Hungary will never support any sort of sanctions against its neighbor. The EU is concerned over a recent law that it believes could be a step toward giving the Polish government full control of the state media.

8. A massive bushfire in Australia has destroyed nearly 100 homes and left three people missing. The wildfires near Perth in Western Australia State are raging out of control. The blazes have scorched fifty-thousand hectares of woods and farmland since they were ignited by lightning strikes on Wednesday.

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