Egypt Today's world news brief

CAIRO – 20 June 2018: Egypt Today brings you the latest top of the hour news from around the world over the past 24 hours in this round-up.

Coalition: We work with Yemeni gov't to restore stability in Hodeidah

The Spokesman for the Arab Coalition Supporting the Legitimacy in Yemen Turki al Malki said on Wednesday that work with the Yemeni government is ongoing to restore stability in Hodeidah city, adding that the coalition is moving at all fronts to put pressure on the Houthi militias so that they would accept the political settlement.

He affirmed that the coalition promised the international community to protect civilians, noting that it has humanitarian and development plans after the liberation of Hodeidah.


Colonel Turki al-Maliki Comments on Coalition Success in Yemen - Reuters

Merkel's visit to Jordan, Lebanon to boost cooperation

German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Jordan and Lebanon on Wednesday June 20 for talks with leaders of both countries, she will start her tour by visiting Jordan and then will head for Lebanon.

Merkel's visit to Jordan will tackle regional issues and the latest development on the Jordanian arena along with ways to further cooperation between Germany and Jordan.

Merkel will also discuss, during her visit to Lebanon, means to boost cooperation between Germany and Lebanon with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri.


German Chancellor Angela Merkel holds a news conference after a Eastern Partnership summit at the European Council Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, November 24, 2017 - REUTERS/Eric Vidal

S. Sudan rebel leader arrived in Ethiopia for talks with president Kiir

South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar arrived in Ethiopia on Wednesday for a meeting with President Salva Kiir, as part of talks to try to negotiate an end to a five-year-old civil war.


South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar arrived in Ethiopia on Wednesday for a meeting with President Salva Kiir, as part of talks to try to negotiate an end to a five-year-old civil war, a rebel spokesman said.

U.S. withdraws from United Nations human rights body

The United States withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday accusing it of a "chronic bias against Israel," a move that activists warned would make advancing human rights globally even more difficult.

The council last month voted to probe killings in Gaza and accused Israel of using excessive force. The United States and Australia cast the only "no" votes.

"The U.N. Human Rights Council has played an important role in such countries as North Korea, Syria, Myanmar and South Sudan, but all Trump seems to care about is defending Israel," said Human Rights Watch executive director Ken Roth.

U.S. withdraws from United Nations human rights body

N.Korea expected to begin transferring remains of U.S. troops soon

North Korea could start the process of handing over the remains of troops, including Americans, missing from the Korean War within the next few days. The officials also said that North Korea would hand over the remains to United Nations Command in South Korea, and they would then be transferred to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii.

The remains of some U.S. soldiers were last returned in 2007, when then-New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson visited Pyongyang.


North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un - FILE

British PM faces Brexit showdown with pro-EU rebels

British Prime Minister Theresa May faces a showdown with her pro-EU MPs on Wednesday over parliament's role in the final Brexit deal, which could influence her entire negotiation strategy. MPs will vote on amendments to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill setting out how much power lawmakers will have if the government fails to agree a departure deal before Brexit in March 2019.

May says she expects to get an agreement with Brussels, but warned that any attempt to tie her hands could undermine the ongoing negotiations.


Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves the BBC - Reuters