LAST-MINUTE REPRIEVE
A Yemeni man convicted of murder in Saudi Arabia was spared moments before he was due to be executed when the victim's father pardoned him. Report: BBC

15 ARRESTED
Yemeni authorities arrested up to 15 suspects in connection with recent attacks on government buildings and officials. Report: Reuters

$31 AMERICAN AID FOR PROJECTS
The United States signed deals for aid projects in Yemen totalling $31 million, Saba news agency said. Report: Reuters

SUSPECT CLAIMS INTELLIGENCE LINK
One of the men accused of bombing the British embassy in Sana'a says he worked for Yemen's political police and tipped off the interior minister about bomb plots. Reports: AFP (June 25), AFP (June 24), Reuters

EXILED JOURNALISTS RETURN
Seven Yemeni journalists who left Yemen as a result of the 1994 war returned from self-imposed exile in Egypt. Report: AP 

"RIPPER" EXECUTED
Mohammad Adam Omar ("the Sana'a Ripper") was executed in front of a crowd of 50,000 for the rape and murder of two university students.  The Sudanese mortuary assistant was ordered to lie face down, with his hands cuffed behind his back. An officer fired three shots at his heart with an AK-47 assault rifle. When Omar kept moving, he was shot point blank in the head. Reports: BBC, UPI, AP, AFP. Background: The Observer. Executions in Yemen: Yemen Gateway

"EMBASSY PLOT" ARRESTS
Yemen has arrested 10 people suspected of plotting to attack the US embassy in Sana'a. Reports: Reuters, AP

GERMAN HOSTAGE RELEASED
Carl Christian Hoerencke, the German kidnapped in Sana'a on May 26, was released unharmed on June 13. Reports: Reuters, AP, AFP

YEMENIA BLAZE
Fire engulfed the 10-storey headquarters of Yemenia airline on the outskirts of Sana'a. Report: Reuters

EMBASSY BOMB TRIAL STARTS
Four Yemenis have gone on trial, accused of a bombing the British embassy in October 2000. Report: AFP

MORE EXECUTIONS
Two men convicted of separate murders were executed by firing squad on June 7, bringing the total executions reported in Yemen so far this year to 28. Report: AP. Executions in Yemen: Yemen Gateway

TWO DIE IN CLASHES
A Yemeni policeman and a tribesman were killed in clashes between security forces and tribes in the region where a German student was kidnapped in May. Report: AFP

$45 MILLION FOR ROADS
The World Bank approved a $ 45 million-dollar credit to help build and maintain a Yemen's road network. Report: AFP

THREE KILLED IN GUNFIGHT
Three people died in a battle between police and an armed gang in Sana'a. Report:  AFP

ATTACK ON MINISTER'S HOME
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the home of Rashad al-Alimi, the interior minister. Report:  AFP

GERMAN TEACHER KIDNAPPED
Carl Christian Hoerencke, 25, an English language teacher who is also a student at the Center for Arabic Language and Eastern Studies, was kidnapped while walking near Tahrir Square in central Sana'a on May 27 and taken towards Marib. He was abducted by the Al Ali bin Falah branch of the Jahm tribe. Latest: AFP, Yemen Times. Earlier reports: Yemen Times, AFP, AP, Reuters. Kidnap statistics: Yemen Gateway

PIPELINE ATTACKED
Obaida tribesmen blew a hole in Yemen's main oil pipeline in Marib province, causing a temporary loss of 65 barrels an hour, according to an oil industry source. Reports: AP, AFP, Reuters

AMERICANS PULL OUT OF ADEN
The US has ordered several dozen Americans in Aden to pack their bags and prepare to leave following a "serious and specific" terrorist threat. US  forces in Bahrain have also been put on high alert. Reports: ABCnews, Reuters

SALIH IN SAUDI ARABIA
President Salih met Crown Prince Abdullah in Jeddah for a one-day visit to discuss "the Arab situation, in particular in the Palestinian territories, and perspectives on economic cooperation between Riyadh and Sana'a," according to an official source. Report: AFP/Zawya

TWO INJURED IN BLAST
The Yemeni civilians were injured when a car belonging to a military officer exploded in al-Dhali'. Report: Reuters/CNN

EDITOR JAILED
The appeal court has upheld a six-month jail sentence against Saif Ahmed, editor of  Al-Shumu'a newspaper, for accusing a former education minister and his deputy of stealing and selling food intended for students. It also banned the editor from journalism for 10 months, fined him $9,000 and ordered the paper closed for one month. Report: AP. 

MILITARY NEWS CLAMPDOWN
The Ministry of Information has prohibited newspapers from publishing news about the armed forces without consulting the Defense Ministry. This follows a recent erroneous report of a military plane crash. Newspapers have also been banned from publishing advertisements relating to private hospitals, the Hajj and Umra without permission from the ministries of Health and Endowments. Report: Yemen Times

EXECUTION NUMBER 26
A man was executed by firing squad in Hajjah province for two murders. It was the 26th execution reported in Yemen this year. Report: AP. Executions in Yemen: Yemen Gateway

FOREIGN DEBT SLASHED
In a speech to mark the 11th anniversary of Yemeni unification, President Salih announced that foreign debt had been cut from $10 billion to $3 billion since 1995. Report: AFP. Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia attended the anniversary selebrations. Report: AFP

FATHER'S PLEA IN COLE CASE
The father of a man arrested in connection with the bombing of USS Cole has called for his son, who has been dtained for seven months, to be released or put on trial. Report: AP

MANY DEAD IN BLAST AT MARKET
At least 17 people were killed and 19 injured in an explosion at a market in al-Baydah on May 19. Hospital officials put the death toll at 32. Police have detained a grocer for allegedly selling dynamite illegally. Officials said the blast destroyed 18 shops in a general goods market (not a weapons market as earlier reported). Latest: AP, Yemen Times.  Earlier reports: BBC, CNN/AP, ABC News, AFP

END OF MILITARY SERVICE
Yemen has abolished compulsory military service.  Previously all Yemeni men aged 18 were required to serve for one year or pay $300 instead. Report: Reuters

PRESIDENT'S BROTHER DIES
General Mohamed Abdullah Saleh, 61, elder brother of President Salih, died in a London hospital of chronicle liver disease. According to Yemen Times sources, General Salih, who held sensitive sensitive positions in the security and military forces, had a liver transplant in London in 1993. Reports: AFP/Zawya, AP

THREE MORE EXECUTIONS
Three Yemenis were executed by firing squad in San'a for their roles in separate murders, the public prosecutor's office said. Report: AP. Executions in Yemen: Yemen Gateway

$102 MILLION LOANS
Yemen has been granted a $52 million loan from the World Bank to finance a road building project and another of $50 million for the second phase of a project to protect Ta'izz from floods. Report: Yemen Times/Zawya

TWO DIE IN CLASH
A tribesman and a child were killed and several injured in confrontations between military forces and tribesmen from Serwah in Ma'rib province. Report: Yemen Times

PARLIAMENT DEBATES BORDER
Parliament is to discuss border problems resulting from the threats of some tribes to disregard the Jeddah treaty. Report: Yemen Times  

DOCTOR KIDNAPPED
Members of the Murad tribe (Al Abu Asha) kidnapped a Bulgarian woman doctor from a hospital in Rada'a (al-Baydah province) on May 10. They were demanding the release of a group of prisoners in Sana'a. Report: Yemen Times, Kidnap statistics: Yemen Gateway

RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS ROW
The opposition Islah party condemned a government decision to bring Quranic schools into the state system. The government plans to integrate them "financially and administratively into the education ministry's budget, as of June". Reports: AFP (May 8), AFP (May 11).

CALL TO PROSECUTE ABU HAMZA
Yemen asked Britain prosecute Abu Hamza al-Masri, the London-based preacher whose son and nephew are among five Britons imprisoned in Yemen for terrorism offences. Report: Reuters. Abu Hamza and the Islamic Army: Yemen Gateway

BORDER ARRESTS
Saudi border guards have arrested nearly 400,000 infiltrators, and more than 300,000 smugglers in the past 12 months, Saudi officials say. Among items confiscated were 2,600 kilos of hashish and 23,000 bottles of liquor, plus guns and explosives. Report: BBC

BOOST FOR ECONOMY
Inflation in Yemen last year fell to3%, compared with 10.2% the previous year, the Central Bank said. GDP was 6.5% (up from 3.5% in 1999). The trade surplus was $1.26 billion, due to a 65% increase in Yemeni exports caused by higher oil prices. Yemen produces about 456,000 barrels of oil per day, on which it depends for 75% of national income. Report: Reuters

EIGHT EXECUTED
Eight Yemenis were executed by firing squad for separate murders. They included one man convicted of killed his uncle in a political argument during the recent elections. Report: AP/CNN. Execution statistics: Yemen Gateway

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
Yemen's new government won a vote of confidence in parliament. Of the 203 members present, 195 voted in favour, six against and two abstained. Ninety-eight members were absent. The Islah party boycotted the session. Reports: AP, Reuters, Yemen Times, AFP

YEMENIA DEAL
Yemenia has signed a  $129 million deal to lease three Boeing 737-800s. Report: Reuters

SAUDIS BEHEAD YEMENI
A Yemeni, Hayan bin Yahia al-Qahri, was beheaded in Asir province, Saudi Arabia, for murdering his Saudi employer and his wife after breaking into their home to steal money. Report: AFP

TRIBESMEN ATTACK TANKERS
Tribesmen have halted the movement of petrol tankers in many parts of Yemen. Report: Yemen Times

CRASH DENIED
There are conflicting reports about whether or not a Yemen fighter plane crashed into the sea near Aden. Reports: AFP, AP

MONKEY BUSINESS ON PLANE
A Yemenia flight from Sana'a to Damascus turned back when a monkey escaped from a passenger's hand luggage. Five more monkeys were found. Reports: AP, AFP

NEW U.S. AMBASSADOR
President Bush has chosen a counter-terrorism expert, Edmund Hull, to be the new US ambassador to Yemen. Report: AFP

THREE DIE IN GUNFIGHT
Two gunmen and a passer-by died during a clash between the Arhab and Al-Faqih tribes at traffic lights in central Sana'a. Report: AFP

YEMEN OFFERS DEAL ON JAILED BRITONS
Yemen has offered to hand over five Britons jailed for terrorism offences - in exchange for the London-based preacher, Abu Hamza al-Masri, who has links with the Islamic Army of Aden-Abyan. Reports: Reuters (28 April), Reuters (30 April), Yemen Times. Background: Yemen Gateway

TRIBAL THREAT TO BORDER DEAL
The Dahm al-Hamraa tribe says it will not allow the company which has been appointed to demarcate the newly-agreed border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia to work on its land. Report: Yemen Times

SCANDAL OF ROTTEN FLOUR 
Five warehouses containing 100,000 bags of contaminated and worm-affected flour have been sealed on the orders of a committee set up by the minister of industry and trade. Report: Yemen Observer

COLE BOMB ARRESTS TOTAL 31
Yemeni authorities have arrested three more men in connection with the bombing of USS Cole last October. This brings the total number detained to 31. Reports: AP, Yemen Times

NEW CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL
President Salih has named the 111 members of the new, enlarged, Consultative Council. They include three women and some opposition politicians. The Yemeni ambassador to London is one of three ambassadors appointed. Reports: AFP, AP, Reuters, Yemen Times. Full list of members: Yemen Gateway

TIGHTER AIRPORT SECURITY
An American team arrived in Yemen to help upgrade airport security. Last January an internal flight from Sana'a to Ta'izz was hijacked by a man who demanded to be flown to Iraq. Report: Reuters/CNN

DEPORTATION FOR BRITON WHO 
DISGUISED AS WOMAN
A Briton who disguised himself as a woman is to be deported from Yemen after spending five months in prison. Meshak Howard, whose visa had expired, was arrested last October wearing women's clothes. A Yemeni woman who claims to be his wife has been charged with assisting his illegal residence. Mr Howard was previously deported in 1998, when he claimed to be married to a different Yemeni woman from Aden. Report: Yemen Observer

YEMEN TO BUY TWO NEW PLANES
The Yemeni national airline, Yemenia, is holding talks with Boeing and Europe's Airbus Industrie about the purchase of two new planes - either the Airbus 320 or the Boeing 737-800. Yemenia currently has 15 passenger aircraft: four Airbus 310s, four Boeing 727-200s, and three Boeing 737-200s. Report: Reuters

$2 BILLION TUNNELS PLAN
Yemen is planning to construct three huge road tunnels at a cost of $2 billion. One would be a 7-km tunnel under Manakha on the Sana'a-Hodeidah road, another a 1-km tunnel at the Yislah Pass (Sana'a-Dhamar road), and a a 7-km tunnel at Sumara (Ibb-Ta'izz road). Report: Yemen Observer

SUSPECTS PLEAD NOT GUILTY
Four defendants at the "New Year bombs" trial in Aden pleaded not guilty. The prosecution produced a machine-gun, ammunition and three kilograms of explosives which it said were seized by police when the men were arrested. The trial was adjourned until April 28. Report: AFP

SOLDIER KILLS DEMONSTRATOR
A soldier was arrested after he fired at demonstrator in Dali', killing one person. The crowd were objecting to a local official's decision to prevent a resident from building an extension to his house, despite having an official permit. Report: AFP

POLICE DIE MAKING ARRESTS
Two policemen were killed in Sana'a as they tried to arrest suspects in a murder case linked to a land dispute. Report: AFP

MARIB HOSTAGE DRAMA
An American technician was held hostage for three hours near Marib on April 18 by an armed man trying to obtain employment, officials and tribal leaders said. The kidnapper, Abad Ali Abu Hadar of the Khawlan tribe, later gave himself up. Report: AP

$92m TO IMPROVE AIRPORT
The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development is providing a loan worth $91.8 million dollars to develop Sana'a airport. Report: AFP/Zawya

'TERRORIST' ARRESTS
Five people suspected of having links with "Islamic terrorist cells" were arrested on April 14 and 15, as a result of investigations into the USS Cole bombing. , security officials said Sunday. Report: AP/Yahoo

MORE EXECUTIONS
Five Yemenis convicted of murder were executed on April 17. Report: AFP/Zawya. Execution statistics: Yemen Gateway

VISIT BY SAUDI BORDER TEAM
A Saudi Arabian team arrived in Yemen to help define their joint border. Report: Reuters/Zawya

SALIH IN ERITREA
President Salih arrived in Asmara on a two-day visit to Eritrea. The two countries, which settled their dispute over the Hunaish islands in 1998, are expected to sign a cooperation agreement. Report: AllAfrica.com

MILITARY PLANE CRASHES
A pilot was killed when his F-5 fighter plane crashed during training. Report: BBC

GUNFIGHT SETS HOUSE ALIGHT
A late-night gun battle fought over disputed land in the Hadda suburb of Sana'a set fire to a neighbouring house. Report: Yemen Times

SEVEN EXECUTIONS
Seven men convicted of separate murders were executed by firing squad in Ta'izz, Dhamar and Ibb on April 11. Report: AP/Zawya

GOVERNMENT SHAKE-UP
In the most sweeping cabinet changes for years, 17 government ministers lost their jobs. Twenty-two new ministers joined the government led by Abdulkader Bagammal who was appointed prime minister on March 31. They included Yemen's first woman minister, Wahiba Fare'i, who became minister of state for human rights. 

• Reports: BBC, AFP, Yemen Times, Middle East International
• List of new government: Yemen Gateway
• Editorial comment: Yemen Times

EX-MINISTER'S HOUSE ATTACKED
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the home of Abdullah Abdul-Wali who lost his position as health minister in the latest cabinet reshuffle. Windows were broken and several vehicles nearby were damaged, but nobody was injured. Reports: AP, Reuters

CLASHES IN DALI'
One person was injured and three others arrested when clashes broke out between demonstrators and the police in Dali'. Sources said the trouble broke out following the arrest of a hospital doctor who had refused to let an injured girl be interrogated by police. Three people were arrested, including a journalist from the official news agency, Saba. Report: AFP

MORE COLE ARRESTS
Yemeni authorities arrested three more people in Aden on April 7 in connection with the bombing of USS Cole last October. This brings the total of recent arrests to 15. Eight other men were arrested late last year. Report: AP/Washington Post

BOMB TRIAL OPENS
Five people accused of bomb attacks on a church, a hotel and the office of the Saba news agency have gone on trial in Aden They are alleged to be members of the Aden-Abyan Islamic Army. Report: Yemen Times

"MORGUE MURDERS" APPEAL
The appeal court has upheld the death sentence on Muhammad Adam, convicted of the "morgue murders" at Sana'a university. Report: Yemen Times

DEAL ON BORDER SURVEY
Yemen and Saudi Arabia have signed a $986 million contract with a German surveying company, Hansa Luftbild, for demarcation of the border. Reports: Reuters, AFP, Yemen Times. Background: Yemen Gateway

BUSH CALLS SALIH
President Bush spoke to Yemen's president on April 4 about close cooperation on investigating the bombing of the USS Cole, the White House said. Report: Reuters/Iwon

PRIME MINISTER REPLACED
President Salih has replaced the prime minister, Dr Abd al-Karim al-Iryani, with Abdulqader Bagammal, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister. One report said Iryani had been dismissed; another that he had asked to step down for health reasons. Reports: CNN/AP, AFP, Yemen Times. Biographical notes: Bagammal, Iryani

AMBASSADOR'S DENIAL
Yemen's ambassador to the USA, Abd al-Wahhab al-Hajri has denied attending a reception in Washington in honour of the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon. Report: Yemen Times

MORE COLE ARRESTS
Yemeni authorities in Aden have arrested at least 10 more people in connection with the bombing of USS Cole. One man was named by a relative as Ali Mohammed Omar al-Kurdi, whose house was searched on March 29. Reports: Reuters, AP 

10,000 JOIN ELECTION PROTEST
Five weeks after Yemen's first local government elections, full and final results are still awaited. About 10,000 people demonstrated in Sana'a on March 24. The Islah party claims it won seats in Arhab, Khawlan, Al-Jubahin, and Al-Salafiyya which have been fraudulently awarded to the ruling General People's Congress. Report: Yemen Times. Election round-up: Middle East International

TRIBAL VIOLENCE KILLS 16
Sixteen people have died in clashes between two Hashid clans in Amran province during the last two weeks, the interior ministry says. Report: AP

MURDERER EXECUTED
A Yemeni man was executed by firing squad in Hajjah province on March 25. Abdu Shouan Mohammed Mokbil had been convicted of the 1993 murder of Nasser Kassem during a land dispute. Report: CNN/AP. Executions in Yemen: Yemen Gateway

EMBASSY ARRESTS
Two Yemenis who claimed they were seeking visas were detained outside the US Embassy on suspicion of belonging to an extremist group. Report: AP

JEWISH "CANDIDATE" DIES
A Yemeni Jew whose candidacy in the recent elections was rejected on religious grounds has died, reportedly after "tripping on a smooth surface" and hitting his head. Reports: Yemen Times, Ha'aretz   

FOOT-AND-MOUTH IN YEMEN
Foot-and-mouth disease has been reported among animals on the Tihama coast. Report: Yemen Times

BRITAIN BACKS DE-MINING
Britain is to contribute £285,000 towards Yemen's de-mining programme. Report: Foreign Office

COLE SUSPECTS "LOCATED"
American and Yemeni investigators have located the hiding places of two more suspects in the bombing of USS Cole, the interior minister said. Report: USA Today

ANTI-TERRORISM VISIT
A British official arrived in Yemen to discuss counter-terrorism measures with the Yemeni authorities. Report: Yemen Times

INFLATION WARNING
The International Monetary Fund says it is concerned about Yemen's inflation rate, which increased from 5% in 1997 to more than 11% in 2000. Report: Yemen Times

U.S. CALLS FOR TRIAL DELAY
The United States is seeking a delay in the trial of the 15 defendants thought to be involved in the USS Cole bombing. Report: Yemen Times

SALIH'S SON IN BELGIUM
President Salih's eldest son, Ahmed, visited Brussels for talks with Belgian and NATO military officials. Report: Yemen Times

CABINET RESHUFFLE SOON
President Salih told a press conference there will be government changes in the near future. Report: Yemen Times

KIDNAP SUSPECTS ARRESTED
Two men, wanted by the Yemeni authorities on suspicion of kidnapping German oil expert Luther Feilenberg in January, have been handed over by Saudi Arabia. Report: Yemen Times

BALLOTS AND BULLETS
The reported death toll in violence associated with Yemen's local government elections has now reached 45. Final results in the poll are still awaited but opposition parties are complaining of many irregularities. Report and news links: Yemen Gateway

BORDER WITHDRAWAL
Yemen and Saudi Arabia will withdraw border troops shortly under the accord signed last year. Report: Reuters

PRESIDENT'S VISIT
Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid met President Salih in Sana'a. Report: Dow Jones

GETTING MOBILISED
Yemen had 27,700 mobile phone subscribers by the end of last year, but the number is expected to increase rapidly with the start of two new networks. Report: BBC

IRANIAN BUSES ARRIVE
Twenty new inter-city buses made in Iran have arrived in Yemen. They are part of a 30-bus consignment to be delivered over a four-year period. Report: Asia Pulse

ISLAH ELECTION THREAT
Islah, the second largest party in Yemen, has threatened to withdraw from the local government elections. Report: Yemen Times. Opinion poll: Yemen Times

EMBASSY SUSPECT ARRESTED
Yemeni police have arrested a second suspect in connection with the bombing of the British embassy last October. Report: Yemen Times

COLE SUSPECTS DETAINED
Yemen says two more suspects have been arrested in connection with the suicide bomb attack on USS Cole. The men, Yemeni citizens named as Mohammed Ahmed al-Ahdal and Ahmed Mohammed, were detained as they returned from Afghanistan. Reports: BBC, Yemen Times

LAWYER COMPLAINS
A lawyer for two suspects in the USS Cole bombing case said the authorities had refused to let him meet his clients, Jamal al-Bedawi and Fahd al-Maksaa. Report: Boston Herald. Background to Cole bombing: Yemen Gateway

FOUR DIE IN MOSQUE SHOOTING
Four people died and seven were wounded by gunmen while praying at a mosque in Yafa' (Lahij province). The attackers are believed to belong to the tribe of al-Aamas tribe, and the victims to the Abdel–Nabi tribe. Report: Independent

ISLAH SUPPORTER KILLED
A supporter of the Islah party was shot and killed in an election-related clash in Ibb province. Report: Reuters/CNN

OFFICIAL'S SON KIDNAPPED
Tribesmen have kidnapped the son of a Yemeni military official in what was described as a financial dispute. He was released after three days. Report: Reuters/CNN

MINISTER'S CAR ATTACKED
A convoy carrying the trade minister and the governor of Mahwit province came under fire from tribesmen at Hijrat al-Dawagher, following the inauguration of a water project. Report: AFP/Times of India

EUROPEAN MEAT BAN
Yemen has banned the import of meat, live animals and fodder from the European Community because of fears about Mad Cow Disease. Report: Yemen Observer

FOUR HURT IN BLAST
Four passers-by were injured when a bomb exploded beneath a military vehicle parked outside a restaurant in al-Dali'. Officials said the targeted car belonged to an army colonel who is involved security for the local elections. Report: AP/Dow Jones

HIJACKER GETS 15 YEARS
Jaber Yehya Satar, the Yemeni man who hijacked a plane carrying 91 people, including US ambassador Barbara Bodine, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $72,000 compensation to Yemenia Airlines. Reports: AP, Yemen Times

NEWSPAPER BANNED
A court odered the weekly newspaper al-Shumu'a to be closed for a month for describing the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, as "an accomplice of Israel and the United States". Reports: Reporters sans Frontieres, Yemen Times

HIJACK TRIAL OPENS 
The trial of a Yemeni man accused of hijacking a plane carrying 91 people, including US ambassador Barbara Bodine, has opened in Sana'a, amid confused reports about the hijacker's motive. Reports: AP/Nando Times, BBC

EMBASSY CAR DEATH
An American embassy car crashed in Sana'a. One passenger - a Yemeni - was killed and the driver was slightly injured. Report: Yemen Times

ITALIANS KIDNAPPED - BRIEFLY
Two Italian women tourists were kidnapped by the Al Hteik tribe near Marib on January 30 but released after a few hours. According to Yemen Times sources the tribe were demanding their own voting centre for the local government elections on February 20. Report: AFP

MAYOR'S SON RELEASED
Kidnappers released the son of the mayor of Sana'a more than two weeks after taking him hostage. Report: AP

BOMB TRIAL POSTPONED 
Yemen has agreed to an American request to delay the trial of suspects in the USS Cole bombing. FBI agents asked for more time to investigate. Reports: Yemen Times, Washington Post

CALLIGRAPHER'S ART
An exhibition of Yemeni textiles dating from the 9th and 10th has opened in Washington and will continue until April 29. Many are inscribed with gilded or embroidered calligraphy. Details: Textile Museum

AMBASSADOR IN HIJACK DRAMA
The US ambassador to Yemen and several other officials were on board an internal flight from Sana'a to Ta'izz when it was hijacked by a man who demanded to be flown to Iraq. The plane landed safely in Djibouti and passengers were evacuated. Reports: Yemen Times, AFP, BBC. Airport officials arrested: AP

BORDER "PROGRESS"
Prince Naif, the Saudi interior minister, reported progress in implementing the border treaty with Yemen, following a visit to Sana'a. Ain al-Yaqeen

GERMAN KIDNAPPED
A German oil expert, working for the Preussag Energie company, was taken hostage by al-Karb tribesmen in Shabwa province but released after a few days. He was the first foreigner to be kidnapped in Yemen this year. Reports: Yemen Times, AP, CNN/AP, AFP. Kidnap statistics: Yemen Gateway

"PLOT" AGAINST MINISTER
Yemeni authorities say they have foiled an attempt to blow up the house of Hussein Mohammed Arab, the interior minister. Report: Reuters

"CHARLIE CHAPLIN" MYSTERY
Yemen is seeking information about a clown-like "Charlie Chaplin" character who boarded USS Cole as it was passing through the Suez canal before the bombing. Reports: ABC; AP

NINE SHOT DEAD AT MOSQUE
Nine people died and at least seven were wounded when a man with an automatic rifle opened fire at a mosque in Kharef, 18 miles north of Sana'a.  Reports: BBC; Reuters; AP; Yemen Observer; Yemen Times

HADRAMAUT OIL DEAL
Yemen has signed an oil production sharing agreement with Occidental Petroleum relating to block 44 in the Hadramaut, an oil ministry official said. Report: Reuters

MAYOR'S SON KIDNAPPED
Mohammed Hussain Al-Maswari, son of the mayor of Sana'a, was taken hostage by the Bani Dhabyan tribe on January 9. The kidnappers are demanding 25 million riyals, the latest-model Land Cruiser, and the release of prisoners. Reports: Yemen Observer; Yemen Times

DISPUTE OVER TRIAL
Yemen and the United States have disagreed about whether three of the Cole bombing suspects should be tried. Report: CNN/AP

MORE COLE ARRESTS
A further five people - three Yemenis and two Egyptians - have been arrested in connection with the Cole bombing investigation. Report: ABC/Reuters

PORT SECURITY PLAN
The United States and European Union are to fund a project to improve security at Yemen's ports. Although its official purpose is to combat smuggling and piracy, its main focus will be to ensure safety for US warships refuelling in Aden. Report: Yemen Times

PARTY OFFICES BOMBED
An explosion caused extensive damage to the offices of the Yemen Socialist Party in Shaab, Dhale' province. Report: Yemen Times