World News in Brief: healthcare crisis in Yemen’s Taiz and Afghanistan, Western Sahara mission's phased closure

The UN reports a worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen's southwestern city of Taiz, which is being encircled by Iran-backed Houthi paramilitary forces, alongside escalating healthcare emergencies in Afghanistan and a phased closure of the Western Sahara peacekeeping mission. The situation in Taiz has deteriorated as Houthi forces tighten their siege, restricting access to essential services and supplies for the city's civilian population. In Afghanistan, the healthcare system is facing severe strain, compounding an already fragile humanitarian situation. Meanwhile, the UN mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is proceeding with a phased drawdown of its operations. The developments signal mounting regional instability with potential ripple effects on aid funding and diplomatic efforts. Observers will be watching whether the Taiz siege escalates further, how Afghanistan's health system copes, and the timeline for MINURSO's complete withdrawal.