ADEN, Yemen, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi called on the Saudi-led coalition on Friday to take necessary military measures to protect civilians in the southeastern province of Hadramout, as tensions with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) escalate, state media reported.Al-Alimi made the remarks following a briefing on what Yemeni officials described as hostile operations and violations by the STC that threaten the stability of the oil-rich province, the state-run Saba news agency reported, citing a Yemeni government source.The recent escalation, the source said, violates the transitional process and undermines Saudi-Emirati mediation efforts to de-escalate tensions and restore security.Meanwhile, a military official within Yemen's internationally recognized government told Xinhua, on condition of anonymity, that the PLC request could trigger a new wave of Saudi airstrikes against STC forces in the coming hours.Local Yemeni forces, backed by heavy military equipment, have been deployed along a long stretch of the border with Saudi Arabia, the official said, adding that Riyadh could intervene militarily if the STC insists on maintaining its presence in Hadramout.On Friday, the STC said Saudi warplanes carried out airstrikes on its military sites in Hadramout. Residents reported loud explosions across the province, and social media videos showed smoke rising from the targeted locations. The Saudi side has not officially claimed the attacks.Tensions in Yemen escalated on Dec. 3, when STC forces took control of Hadramout following clashes with pro-government units. The STC also criticized the PLC for failing to launch what it described as a serious campaign against the Houthi group.Yemen has been mired in conflict since 2014, when Houthi forces captured Sanaa and large swathes of the north, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in 2015.The STC later expanded its presence into the eastern provinc...

BEIRUT, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Israeli gunfire near United Nations peacekeeping patrols along the Blue Line border slightly injured one peacekeeper on Friday, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said.In a statement, UNIFIL said heavy machine-gun fire from Israel Defense Forces (IDF) positions south of the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon struck near a patrol inspecting a roadblock in the village of Bastarra. The fire followed a grenade explosion in the area. While no UN equipment was damaged, one peacekeeper sustained a minor ear concussion.A separate incident occurred the same day in Kfarchouba, where another patrol on routine operations came under close-range machine-gun fire from the Israeli side.UNIFIL emphasized that the IDF had been notified of both patrols' movements in advance, in accordance with established coordination procedures.Attacks on or near peacekeepers are serious violations of Security Council Resolution 1701, the mission said, urging the IDF to cease aggressive behavior against personnel.The IDF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.UNIFIL sites and facilities have previously been targeted during clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, causing injuries.A U.S. and French-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024, ending clashes linked to the Gaza Strip conflict. Despite the agreement, Israel has periodically conducted strikes in Lebanon, citing Hezbollah threats, and has maintained forces at five key positions along the Lebanese border after a Feb. 18 deadline for full withdrawal passed.

Four people were injured in a shooting on Friday in San Jose, U.S. state of California, local police said. Officers responded to a report of gunfire early Friday morning in a business near downtown. The four victims were taken to local hospitals for treatment, according to police.

Hundreds of flights at U.S. San Francisco International Airport were delayed and canceled on Friday due to strong winds and the temporary closure of the departures lobby at Terminal 1.

A teenager was killed and four other people were injured in a shooting on Christmas Day in northern Los Angeles County, according to local media and police.

Israel defence minister tells army to act 'forcefully' against attacker's West Bank village

Putin held a meeting on the state armament program