The UN has appealed for nearly $3 billion in aid for Yemen, where it hopes to reach 13 million people including many who are at risk of famine, disease and sustained displacement. It is the largest such appeal launched for the country, where a coalition led by Saudi Arabia is at war with Houthi rebels allied to Iran, and represents the only lifeline for millions, according to the UN. Since 2015 the fighting has killed about 10,000 people. (AP)
IRAN GUARD ‘TO EASE GRIP ON ECONOMY’
United Arab Emirates Iran’s supreme leader has ordered the Revolutionary Guard to loosen its grip on the economy, according to the defence minister, raising the possibility that it may privatise some of its vast holdings. President Rouhani backs the idea and faced protests over the economy last month. The Guard is estimated to control about a third of the country’s GDP. (AP)
ROCKET LAUNCHED IN NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand A rocket was launched into orbit from New Zealand carrying three small commercial satellites. Peter Beck, a New Zealander who founded Rocket Lab in California, said carrying customer payloads on a second test flight was “almost unprecedented”. The first, in May, was aborted. The Electron rocket blasted off from the Mahia Peninsula with a payload of 150kg. (AP)