Food crisis in Yemen worsens as banks cut credit

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• The UN has accused Saudi Arabia of being behind the killing of two-thirds of civilians in Yemen between January and February. UN Human rights agency spokesman Rupert Colville said an investigation is underway into Saudi Arabia's use of banned munitions in Yemen; including cluster bombs.
   
• The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is deepening as international banks have cut credit lines for food shipments to the war-torn country. Banking and trading sources say vital supplies are being choked as lenders are unwilling to offer letters of credit due to the Saudi onslaught which has also targeted ports.
   
• Russia and the US call for the next round of Syria peace talks to promptly start. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry agreed in a phone conversation that negotiations between the Syrian government and the Saudi-backed anti-Syria groups must begin as soon as possible.
   
• Iraqi forces regain 64 towns and villages west of the city of Samarra. The army has cut off Daesh’s bastions in the western Anbar province from those in the northern Salahuddin province. The terrorists have lost much of the land they occupied after sneaking into Iraq from Syria in 2014.
   
• Turkish Prime Minister Ahmed Davutoglu says Iran's landmark nuclear deal has set the stage for the two neighbors to boost their trade to the level of 30 billion dollars. Davutoglu was speaking in the Iranian capital Tehran. The Turkish premier is heading a high-ranking economic and political delegation.
   
• Slovenia’s parliament has approved legislation tightening conditions for refugees entering the country. The legislation passed by a majority of lawmakers simplifies procedures needed for rejecting refugees. It also shortens the deadline for asylum seekers to file an appeal and reduces financial assistance in certain circumstances.
   
• Chilean police have used water cannons to disperse scores of protesters demonstrating against a rise in metro fares. Riot police clashed with protesters who marched in downtown Santiago after the demonstrators blocked the streets. At least ten people were arrested in the confrontation.
   
• At least 60 people have been injured after the engine of a commuter boat exploded near the Thai capital. The boat was ferrying passengers through canals in the suburbs of Bangkok. All those injured were immediately hospitalized after the incident and most of them were treated and released.

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