Over 81,000 people enter Ethiopia from Sudan: UN

ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The number of people arriving in Ethiopia due to the conflict in Sudan has reached 81,095, according to the UN migration agency.

As of Sept. 16, a total of 81,095 crossings had been made by returnees, refugees and asylum seekers from conflict-affected Sudan to its neighboring country Ethiopia, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said in its latest update issued on Thursday.

India stops new visas for Canadians, asks Ottawa to downsize missions as spat worsens

NEW DELHI, Sept 22 (Reuters) - India on Thursday suspended new visas for Canadians and asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country, sharply escalating a spat triggered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's accusations linking New Delhi to a Sikh separatist's murder.

India was willing to look into specific information in connection with the accusations, its foreign ministry said, adding that Canada has not shared anything so far.

Ankara welcomes Yemen peace talks in Saudi

21 September 2023; MEMO: Turkiye has said it welcomes talks in Saudi Arabia on ending the war in Yemen, calling for constructive support from all parties for a lasting solution, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

According to the report, Turkiye will continue to resolutely support preservation of the national unity and territorial integrity of brotherly Yemen.

EU allocates nearly $150m to help Afghan people, focusing on women, girls

20 September 2023; MEMO: The EU announced, Wednesday, that it will release €140 million (nearly $150 million) in aid for education, healthcare, agriculture and women’s economic advancement in Afghanistan, Anadolu Agency reports.

The funds had been frozen in December 2022 due to the interim Taliban administration’s ban on women working in non-governmental organisations, the bloc said in a statement.

Senior Israel delegation visits Azerbaijan 2 days before clashes in Karabakh

21 September 2023; MEMO: Director General of Israeli Defence Ministry, Eyal Zamir, visited Azerbaijan two days before clashes erupted with Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.

Members of the Israeli delegation met with their Azeri counterparts, including Defence Minister, Zakir Hasanov, The Times of Israel said, pointing out that the visit came amid stepped-up Israeli arms supplies to Azerbaijan.

If Iran attains nuclear weapon, ‘we have to get one’; Saudi Crown Prince

21 September 2023; MEMO: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman, has warned that the Kingdom will be forced to acquire a nuclear weapon if Iran manages to do so, raising concerns of renewed rivalry in the region after a thaw in the two countries’ diplomatic relations.

Kuwait inks deal to acquire 40% of offshore Egypt energy exploration project

20 September 2023; MEMO: Kuwait’s Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) signed an agreement with a Shell subsidiary to acquire 40 per cent of Egypt’s Nile Delta offshore block 3, KUNA reported today.

The Kuwaiti news agency quoted Mohammad Al-Haimar, KUFPEC’s CEO, saying the move was in line with the approach to expand operations with “our international partners that are active in special exploration basins.”

Lebanon: shots fired at US Embassy

21 September 2023; MEMO: Shots were fired outside the US Embassy in Lebanon late on Wednesday evening, but no casualties were reported, Reuters has reported.

“Small arms fire was reported in the vicinity of the entrance of the embassy at 10.37pm local time,” explained Embassy Spokesman Jake Nelson. “There were no injuries, and our facility is safe. We are in close contact with [the Lebanese] law enforcement authorities.”

Poland is done sending arms to Ukraine, Polish leader says as trade dispute escalates

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s prime minister said his country is no longer sending arms to Ukraine, a comment that appeared aimed at pressuring Kyiv and put Poland’s status as a major source of military equipment in doubt as a trade dispute between the neighboring states escalates.

USA: A 96-year-old federal judge is barred from hearing cases in a bitter fight over her mental fitness

(AP) --- A 96-year-old U.S. federal appeals court judge was barred Wednesday from hearing cases for a year after a panel said she refused to undergo medical testing amid concerns that she is no longer mentally fit to serve on the bench.

It’s the latest development in an unusually public and bitter fight over whether Judge Pauline Newman should continue to serve on the Washington-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit that has sparked a lawsuit and turned judges against one another.

The US is allowing hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans in the country to work legally

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration says it’s granting temporary legal status to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who are already in the country — quickly making them eligible to work — as it grapples with growing numbers of people fleeing the South American country and elsewhere to arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border.

USA: Rupert Murdoch, whose creation of Fox News made him a force in American politics, is stepping down

NEW YORK (AP) — Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old Australian media magnate whose creation of Fox News made him a force in American politics, is stepping down as leader of both Fox’s parent company and his News Corp. media holdings.

Fox said Thursday that Murdoch would become chairman emeritus of both companies, effective at board meetings in November. His son, Lachlan, will become News Corp. chairman and continue as chief executive officer of Fox Corp.

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