Updated

The United Nations on Saturday condemned the death of a staff member of its Human Rights Office in Yemen while in Houthi custody and demanded an urgent investigation. The employee, Mohammad al-Shami, had been arbitrarily held by the Houthis since June 2024, according to the UN. His family say he died more than a month ago but were only recently informed. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called for an independent inquiry, saying the family deserved to know the truth. The UN described the death as heartbreaking. The case adds to concerns about the treatment of detained UN and aid personnel held by the Houthis in Yemen.