Briefly

UNITED KINGDOM

Minister quits over immigration policy

Britain's Conservative Party was in disarray on Wednesday after its immigration minister quit over legislation regarding sending migrants to Rwanda as hard-liners turned the screw on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The leader's position looked vulnerable after Robert Jenrick said he had resigned due to "strong disagreements with the direction" of the government's policy on immigration. The resignation came after Rwanda warned that it would pull out of a treaty to accept migrants if Britain did not respect international law.

UNITED STATES

Senate blocks aid to Ukraine, Israel

Republican senators blocked a White House request for $106 billion in emergency aid primarily for Ukraine and Israel Wednesday as conservatives balked at the exclusion of immigration reforms they had demanded as part of the package. The vote marked a significant defeat for President Joe Biden, who had warned Congress earlier in the day that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not stop with victory in Ukraine and could even attack a NATO nation. The package would include roughly $60 billion to help Ukraine during the frigid winter months and around $10 billion for Israel in its conflict with Hamas.

MALI

Dengue kills 21, over 600 cases seen

Dengue fever is on the rise in Mali, where officials are reporting new infections and deaths from the virus this week. Cheick Amadou Tidiane Traore, Mali's director general of health and public hygiene, said on Wednesday that his department had counted 21 deaths and 600 cases of the virus as of Monday. Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes that mostly causes flu-like illness. In severe cases, the disease can cause joint pain, swollen glands, severe bleeding and death. There is no specific treatment protocol, but two vaccines have been recommended by the World Health Organization.

MIDDLE EAST

Putin visits UAE, Saudi Arabia to discuss ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday visited the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to discuss ties and other issues of common concern. During Putin's meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, the two sides explored prospects for improving relations within the framework of the bilateral strategic partnership. Later, Putin met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in Riyadh.

PERU

Ex-leader released from prison after court ruling

Former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, who was serving a 25-year prison term for crimes against humanity during his decade-long rule in the 1990s, was released from jail late on Wednesday despite criticism from an international human rights court. Peru's highest court on Tuesday ruled in favor of an appeal to restore a 2017 pardon for Fujimori, 85, on humanitarian grounds.

Agencies - Xinhua