Новости за 19.02.2024

With Turkey-U.S. relations improving rapidly, Washington offered to allow Ankara to buy its advanced F-35 military jet if it removes to a third country the S-400 missiles it purchased from Russia. But as Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, the missiles remain a potent symbol of deepening Turkish-Russian ties.

WASHINGTON — U.S. lawmakers are raising alarms about what they see as America's failure to compete with China in biotechnology, warning of the risks to U.S. national security and commercial interests. But as the two countries' rivalry expands into the biotech industry, some say that shutting out Chinese companies would only hurt the U.S. Biotechnology promises to revolutionize everyday life, with scientists and researchers using it to make rapid advances in medical treatment, genetic engineering in agriculture and novel biomaterials. Читать дальше...

BEIJING — The former chairman of the Bank of China has been indicted on bribery charges, prosecutors said Monday, adding to a long list of business and government officials who have been brought down by Chinese leader Xi Jinping's yearslong anticorruption drive. Liu Liange is accused of taking advantage of his positions at the Bank of China and previously as president of the Export-Import Bank of China, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate said in a statement posted on social media. He has been... Читать дальше...

Taipei, Taiwan — Chinese coast guard officials briefly boarded a Taiwanese ship Monday, Taipei said, after Beijing announced it would step up patrols following a boat incident in which two Chinese nationals died. The boat was carrying four Chinese nationals when it capsized last week near Taiwan's Kinmen islands while pursued by the Taiwanese coast guard. All four onboard were thrown into the water and two of the crew later died. The two rescued were detained in Kinmen — a territory administered... Читать дальше...

The top international court begins a hearing on Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands. We’re on the ground in Khan Younis and at an anti-Putin protest in Los Angeles. Adiivka falls to the Russians as the world gathers to help Afghanistan. Plus, an entrepreneur in Cambodia is really cleaning up.

Kabul, Afghanistan — A landslide caused by heavy snowfall has killed 25 people and injured eight others in the eastern Afghan province of Nuristan, a disaster management ministry spokesperson said Monday. Earth, snow and rubble swept through the village of Nakre in the Tatin valley of Nuristan overnight Sunday. "As a result of the landslide, some 25 people have been killed and eight injured," spokesperson Janan Sayeq said in a video clip shared with media. Sayeq also told AFP the death toll could rise. Читать дальше...

Annapolis, Maryland — Republicans hoping to pick up an open U.S. Senate seat in deep blue Maryland have the most competitive candidate they've fielded for decades. But former Gov. Larry Hogan will need more than GOP support to overcome sustained outrage about the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down constitutional protections for abortion. With Maryland voters set to decide whether to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution in November, it may be harder for Hogan to reassemble... Читать дальше...

BURNSVILLE, Minn. — A suburban Minneapolis community was in mourning on Monday after authorities said two police officers and a firefighter were killed by a heavily armed man who shot at them from inside a home that was filled with children. The shooting on Sunday in a tree-lined neighborhood of Burnsville, Minnesota, left a third officer wounded. The suspect, who officials said had multiple guns and large amounts of ammunition, also died. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent... Читать дальше...

Miami, Florida — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami get the new Major League Soccer season under way on Wednesday with pressure on the Argentine star to deliver trophies for his club and more eyeballs on the league. The World Cup winner joined Inter from Paris Saint Germain in mid-July, the biggest name ever to move to MLS and his signing caused a massive spurt in interest in American soccer. The eight-times and current Ballon d'Or winner, made an instant impact, leading Miami to the Leagues Cup title... Читать дальше...

Packaging is one of the biggest drivers of the world’s plastic pollution problem, according to the United Nations, with more than a third of all plastic produced used for packaging. To address the challenge, a Kenyan company is making toxic chemical-free, compostable food packaging products from agricultural waste. Juma Majanga reports from Thika, Kenya. Camera: Amos Wangwa

Paris — The Eiffel Tower, one of the most visited tourist sites in the world, closed on Monday as staff went on strike in protest against the way the Paris monument is managed financially, disappointing the crowds below. The strike comes as Paris prepares to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, which begin on July 26 and will feature metal from the tower in the winners' medals. Visitors stood outside the barriers of the tower grounds in front of a giant screen announcing the strike. "It’s a real shame... Читать дальше...

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has been trying for years to debunk the idea that its vaunted secret archives are all that secret: It has opened up the files of controversial World War II-era Pope Pius XII to scholars and changed the official name to remove the word “Secret” from its title. But a certain aura of myth and mystery has persisted — until now. The longtime prefect of what is now named the Vatican Apostolic Archive, Archbishop Sergio Pagano, is spilling the beans for the first time, revealing... Читать дальше...

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Palestinian foreign minister on Monday accused Israel of apartheid as he urged the United Nation’s top court to declare that Israel’s occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state is illegal and must end immediately and unconditionally. The allegation came at the start of historic hearings into the legality of Israel’s 57-year occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state. The case stands against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, which immediately became a focal point of the day ... Читать дальше...

Yangon, Myanmar — Two people were killed in a crush outside a passport office in Myanmar on Monday, a rescue worker said, as thousands rush to leave the country to escape a junta military service law. Two women aged 52 and 39 died early Monday after hundreds of people surged to get in line at the passport office in second city Mandalay, a rescue worker who arrived at the scene told AFP. "There was a ditch near the crowd. They fell into the ditch and died from a lack of oxygen," the rescue officer said... Читать дальше...