Briefly

YEMEN

UN worries over military escalation

The United Nations' Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths on Tuesday voiced grave concern over the dramatic military escalation in Yemen. The Houthi offensive on Marib governorate continues, putting civilians, including an estimated 1 million internally displaced persons, at risk. Fighting forces on both sides have suffered heavy losses in this unnecessary battle. There are shocking reports of children increasingly getting drawn into the war effort and deprived of their future, Griffiths told the Security Council. "The war is back in full force," he said.

NIGER

'Barbarous' attacks leave 58 people dead

Fifty-eight people have been killed in "barbarous" attacks on a bus and nearby villages in Niger close to the country's border with Mali, the government said on Tuesday. The raids took place on Monday afternoon in the Tillaberi region located in the "tri-border area"－a flashpoint zone where the frontiers of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali converge. No group claimed responsibility, but Niger is struggling with two extremist campaigns－in the west near Mali and Burkina Faso, and a decade-old insurgency in the southeast on the border with Nigeria.

THE PHILIPPINES

Arrivals curbed after virus cases jump

The Philippines will close its border to foreigners and restrict the number of Filipinos entering the country as authorities battle to contain a spike in coronavirus infections. The temporary measures come after the number of daily cases hit a seven-month high of 5,404 on Monday and experts predict the figure could double by the end of March. Most of the active infections are in Metro Manila where targeted lockdowns, nighttime curfews and a stay-at-home order for all children are being used to curb the spread. The ban on overseas arrivals was announced late on Tuesday by the government's COVID-19 task force and takes effect on Saturday.

IRAN

Fire festival accidents kill 10, injure hundreds

Mishaps during an annual fire festival in Iran have left at least 10 people dead and hundreds more injured around the country, state TV reported on Wednesday. State TV reported the casualties on Wednesday but news outlets including the semiofficial ISNA said the deaths happened over a period of several weeks. Many of the deaths and injuries occurred during the production and preparation of firecrackers, according to reports. Officials said the casualties were the result of disregarding safety measures. The annual festival begins on the Tuesday before Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, which will be celebrated on Saturday this year.

Xinhua - Agencies