Briefly

UNITED STATES

Pompeo authorizes F-35 jets for UAE

The administration of President Donald Trump formally notified Congress on Tuesday that it plans to sell 50 stealth F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates as part of a broader arms deal worth $23 billion aimed at deterring potential threats from Iran despite concern in Israel. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had authorized the sale in keeping with the administration's Middle East peace efforts. The notification to lawmakers follows the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel, Bahrain and the UAE, under which the Arab states have agreed to normalize relations with Israel.

PERU

Congress speaker takes over presidency

Speaker of Congress Manuel Merino assumed office on Tuesday as Peru's third president in four years, amid street protests and market jitters after the impeachment of Martin Vizcarra over corruption allegations. Police clashed with demonstrators in the streets outside the Congress building in Lima as Merino was sworn in. Vizcarra was dismissed in an impeachment vote late on Monday, and on Tuesday he questioned the "legality and legitimacy" of his removal. He said earlier he was leaving with his head "held high" despite allegations of bribe-taking that date from when he was governor of his native southern Moquegua region. He denied any wrongdoing.

SUDAN

200,000 may pour in to flee Tigray strife

Up to 200,000 refugees could pour into Sudan while fleeing the conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, officials said as details emerge on the strains facing largely cutoff civilians. A least 6,000 people have already crossed the border. Long lines have appeared outside bread shops in Tigray, and supply-laden trucks are stranded at its borders, the United Nations humanitarian chief in the country said in an interview. "We want to have humanitarian access as soon as possible," Sajjad Mohammad Sajid said. "Fuel and food are needed urgently."

Agencies Via Xinhua