Yemen's president cedes power: glimmers of peace

Today's headlines: Tourism revenues plummet for Qingming festival; Hong Kong police arrest six activists; Facebook removes 400 Filipino accounts ahead of elections; India increases purchases of Russian oil; Posters denouncing aggression against Ukraine hung in Russian universities.

YEMEN

Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, recognized by the international community, ceded power today to a presidential council. The move is supported by Saudi Arabia and paves the way for the resumption of peace negotiations (promoted by the UN) with the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels.

CHINA

Due to the surge in Covid-19 infections and the related restrictions in force in the country, tourist revenues for the Qingming festivities, the "tomb-cleaning festival" celebrated from April 3 to 5, have dropped more than 30%.

HONG KONG

Police yesterday arrested six activists on charges of sedition and violating the national security law imposed by Beijing. The detainees were allegedly guilty of "causing trouble" during court hearings in December and January. Among those arrested was the former vice president of a now-disbanded pro-democracy trade union ((HKCTU).

PHILIPPINES

A month before the presidential vote, Facebook removed more than 400 accounts that incited hatred in the country and carried out disinformation campaigns. Among those pages taken down was the Philippines' New People's Army, a banned organization.

INDIA

Two Indian refining companies will buy less oil from Saudi Arabia in favor of buying the now cheaper Russian oil. India is the world's third-largest importer of crude: increased imports from the Russian market have landed in the crosshairs of the U.S., which has warned Delhi not to soften the effects of Western sanctions imposed for its invasion of Ukraine.

RUSSIA

Anti-war signs have been posted in all bathrooms of Russian universities, with images of the massacres in the suburbs of Kiev and phrases such as: "These things are not shown on television, people are dying, don't be silent!".

KAZAKHSTAN-ISRAEL

According to the Israeli channel Open Hands, Mossad was behind the alleged attempt on the life of Kazakhstan's President Tokaev. The Kazakh citizen arrested for attempting to target the top state officials is said to be an Israeli agent.

• AsiaToday