Yemen, Pentagon, Brexit, Scott Miller: World News round-up

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Protests over Yemen's weakening currency paralyze Aden

Hundreds of demonstrators protesting against Yemen's deteriorating economic situation and weakening currency blocked major roads and burned tires in the southern city of Aden on Sunday, with shops and government offices closing. By evening, the country's internationally recognized government ordered a temporary halt on imports of luxury goods like automobiles and a 30 percent salary increase for public-sector employees, including pensioners and contractors.

Exclusive: Pentagon cancels aid to Pakistan over record on militants

The U.S. military said it has made a final decision to cancel $300 million in aid to Pakistan that had been suspended over Islamabad's perceived failure to take decisive action against militants, in a new blow to deteriorating ties. The so-called Coalition Support Funds were part of a broader suspension in aid to Pakistan announced by President Donald Trump at the start of the year when he accused Pakistan of rewarding past assistance with "nothing but lies & deceit."

Brexit could sway Scottish voters toward independence from UK: poll

Britain's exit from the European Union could tip public opinion in Scotland in favor of seeking independence, an opinion poll showed on Sunday. Scotland voted against independence in 2014, but a subsequent referendum on leaving the EU has reignited a debate over its long-term future as one of Britain's four constituent parts alongside England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Yemen's Hadi to go to U.S. for medical treatment: government source

Preparations are underway to transfer Yemen's President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to the United States tonight to receive medical treatment, a Yemen government source told Reuters on Sunday. The head of the country's internationally-recognized government, who has lived in exile in Riyadh since the Iranian-aligned Houthi group captured the Yemeni capital in 2015, has been treated for a heart condition since 2011.

Long reach of U.S. sanctions hits Syria reconstruction

As Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attempts to turn military success into postwar reconstruction, Western sanctions are a major obstacle that could scare off foreign companies. Syria has suffered immense physical destruction, while millions of workers have fled, been conscripted or killed. A U.N. agency estimates the war has cost $388 billion.

New U.S. general arrives in Afghanistan with peace still distant

U.S. Army General Scott Miller assumed command of NATO forces in Afghanistan on Sunday, arriving as Washington faces growing questions over its strategy to force the Taliban into talks to end the 17-year conflict. Miller, former commander of the U.S. military's Joint Special Operations Command, takes over at a time of mixed hope and fear for the Western-backed government in Kabul.

Baghdad: Reuters report of Iran moving missiles to Iraq is 'without evidence'

Iraq's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday it was "astonished" at a Reuters report that Iran had moved missiles to Iraq and that the article was "without evidence", but stopped short of denying its contents. "Iraq is not obliged to respond to media reports that lack tangible evidence backing up their claims and allegations," the ministry said in a statement.

Khamenei says war unlikely but urges boosting Iran's defenses

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday war was unlikely but called on Iran's armed forces to boost their defense capacities, according to his official website, as the country faces increased tension with the United States. On Saturday, Iran announced plans to boost its ballistic and cruise missile capacity and acquire modern fighter planes and submarines to boost its defenses following the U.S. pullout from Tehran's nuclear agreement with world powers.

Iraqi groups announce bloc to form parliamentary majority

Iraqi lawmakers led by cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Sunday they created an alliance that would give them a majority bloc in the new parliament after four months of political uncertainty. The new government is tasked with rebuilding the country after a three-year war with Islamic State militants and balancing relations between Iraq's two biggest allies: arch-rivals Iran and the United States.

Some 400 prisoners escape prison in Tripoli chaos

Some 400 prisoners escaped from a jail in Libya's capital on Sunday while fighting between rival armed groups raged nearby, a judiciary official said as the United Nations called for the warring parties to meet on Tuesday. The inmates forced open the doors of the Ain Zara prison and guards were unable to stop them, the official said, confirming a judiciary police statement posted on social media.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)