November 9, 2021

*) Poland blocks 'mass attempt' by migrants to breach border with Belarus Poland has blocked a bid by hundreds of migrants to enter the country from Belarus, warning of an "armed" escalation. The European Union says President Lukashenko has encouraged the migrant flow in retaliation for existing EU sanctions imposed over Belarus's human rights record. Both Poland and Lithuania have deployed more troops towards their borders with Belarus which claims it has not manufactured the crisis. *) Poverty soars in blockaed Gaza The poverty rate in blockaded Gaza has risen to 59 percent from 43 percent five years ago due to "very high unemployment and deteriorating social conditions". A World Bank report said unemployment in Gaza stood at 45 percent. Gaza was hit hard during 11-days of devastating conflict with Israel in May, adding to existing economic woes caused by the years-long blockade and Covid-19 restrictions, the report said. *) US envoy returns to Ethiopia in bid to resolve ongoing conflict The US Envoy for Horn of Africa is back in Ethiopia for talks on the escalating conflict between Tigrayan forces and the government. Jeffrey Feltman is meeting with his African Union counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo who warned there is little time to reverse the crisis in northern Ethiopia. Thousands of people are believed to have been killed since fighting in northern Ethiopia started a year ago, and more than two million have been displaced. *) Six of Donald Trump's allies hit with subpoenas over insurrection Six allies of former US president Donald Trump have been subpoenaed as part of an ongoing probe into the January 6 Capitol Hill riot. A US House committee is investigating whether there was an effort by the Trump campaign to stop the certification of Joe Biden's election win. Campaign manager Bill Stepien, adviser Jason Miller and security adviser Michael Flynn are all being looked into. And finally… *) SpaceX returns ISS astronauts to Earth after 200-day flight A SpaceX capsule carrying four astronauts