NEW YORK (AP) — Days before potentially crossing paths with Russia’s top diplomat at the United Nations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested Monday that the world body needs to answer for allowing his country’s invader a seat at the tables of power.

BANGKOK, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Thailand received over 19 million foreign tourists between January and mid-September, representing a 271-percent year-on-year increase, official data showed on Tuesday.

As of last week, the Southeast Asian country earned more than 795 billion baht (about 22.08 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue from foreign visitors who were mainly from Malaysia, China, South Korea and India, according to data released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

TUNIS, Sept 19 (NNN-XINHUA) — During the past 24 hours, Tunisian security units arrested 1,200 of different nationalities who planned to cross illegally the Mediterranean to Europe, private radio station Mosaique FM reported on Monday.

“The arrest operations were carried out by National Guard units during a security campaign in the southeastern province of Sfax to stop the illegal immigration waves,” Mosaique FM quoted Houcemeddine Jbabli, spokesman for the Tunisian National Guard, as saying.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington this week comes at a critical juncture for his alliance with the United States as Republican leaders in Congress diverge on how to send more military and humanitarian aid to the country.

President Joe Biden is seeking an additional $24 billion in security and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, in line with his promise to help the country for “as long as it takes” to oust Russia from its borders.

Sept 19 (Reuters) - China's former Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was ousted from his position in July, had an extramarital affair while he was ambassador to the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with a briefing.

The report said Qin was cooperating with the investigation, which was now focused on whether the affair or Qin's conduct had compromised China's national security.

BEIJING, Sept. 19 (APP): The representative from more than 110 countries have so far confirmed their participation in the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing scheduled to be held this October, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning said on Tuesday.

“As of today, representatives from more than 110 countries have confirmed their attendance,” she said in her regular press conference held here.

TEHRAN, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Tuesday criticized the United States for imposing new sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities, including media outlets, calling the move a "trite bid" to suppress transparency and truth.

Iranian government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi said that the sanctions demonstrate Washington's "fear for the reality to be shown by truth-seeking and leading media."

Jahromi also highlighted Washington's double standards, pointing out that while the U.S. supports media aligned with its policies, it stifles independent voices.

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/: Russia sees an opportunity for a peace settlement between Baku and Yerevan in the implementation of the existing trilateral agreements, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has told the media.

"There is such an opportunity (for a peace settlement - TASS). The way we see it, it is the agreements that we rely on. We continue our contacts both with Baku and Yerevan," Peskov said.

RAMALLAH, Sept 19 (NNN-WAFA) – The Israeli regime demolished yesterday, three Palestinian houses in the West Bank, over building without permits, Palestinian sources said.

Two houses, including an inhabited one and one under construction, were demolished in the village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus city in the West Bank, while the third house was located in Jericho city, according to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The crash site for a stealth fighter jet that went missing during the weekend after its pilot ejected was located Monday in rural South Carolina after the military asked the public for help finding an aircraft built to elude detection.

The debris field was discovered in Williamsburg County, about two hours northeast of Joint Base Charleston. Residents were being asked to avoid the area while a recovery team worked to secure it.

KYIV, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Evidence suggests a deadly explosion at a busy market in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka this month was caused by an errant missile fired by Ukraine, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.

Ukraine has said the Sept. 6 blast, which killed at least 16 people, was caused by a Russian missile.

NEW YORK, Sep 19 (APP): Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and his Norwegian counterpart Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt have agreed to work towards the enhancement of bilateral cooperation.

In a meeting held on the margins of the 78th UNGA Session in New York, both sides appreciated 75 years of Pakistan-Norway friendship.

Both foreign ministers expressed satisfaction on the exchange of ministerial visits between both countries during the first half of 2023 and emphasized increasing the volume of exchange of visits and regular interactions.