Iraq to start repatriating citizens in Belarus

The Iraqi government is organising voluntary repatriations starting Thursday for its citizens stuck on the Poland-Belarus border amid a brewing standoff.

Iraq estimated 571 Iraqi citizens are in eight camps on the border between Belarus and Poland where thousands of refugees are trapped in freezing conditions.

Europe has accused Belarus of mounting "a hybrid attack" by flying in refugees and asylum seekers and pushing them to cross illegally into Poland.

*) Kenya president holds talks in Ethiopia as conflict worsens

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has visited Ethiopia for security talks, amid global calls for a ceasefire in the Tigray region.

It was Kenyatta's second visit to Addis Ababa over the escalation in the year-long war in northern Ethiopia between the armed forces and the T-P-L-F.

Kenyatta's trip also preceded the 5-day visit from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal.

Thousands have died and more than two million people displaced in the fighting in Ethiopia since last November.

*) UK counter-terror police arrest multiple suspects after Liverpool car blast

British police have announced the arrests of three men after a taxi exploded in front of Liverpool Women's Hospital on Sunday, killing one person and wounding another.

The three men, aged 29, 26 and 21, were arrested in Liverpool's Kensington district under anti-terror laws.

The police said a male passenger in the car was declared dead at the scene, while the driver, also a man, was wounded and is in hospital in a stable condition.

*) Biden and Xi to hold virtual meeting amid global, regional tensions

US President Joe Biden and China's head of state Xi Jinping are holding a virtual meeting on Monday, amid strained relations between the two countries.

It will be their first direct encounter since a tense 90-minute phone call in September.

In a letter, Xi said he hoped the two leaders could work on the condition of "mutual respect," adding both nations will "only gain from co-operation, not confrontation."

And finally...

*) South Africa pulls support for Miss Universe candidate over Israel

South Africa's government has withdrawn support for Miss South Africa after it was unable to convince local organisers to boycott next month's Miss Universe pageant, which is taking place in Israel.

South Africa has long accused Israel of committing atrocities against Palestinians, likening their actions to Apartheid.

Officials asked organisers of the South African pageant to reconsider taking part in the global event but failed to persuade them as pageant organisers say the beauty contest is not political.

Contestants from 77 countries and territories will compete at the Miss Universe pageant in Eilat on December 12th.