Новости за 07.03.2024

Many ranchers in Panama are making the transition from breeding livestock to much smaller creatures – butterflies. Not only is it good for the planet, but for some, it’s proven to be an economic winner. Oscar Sulbaran reports in this story, narrated by Veronica Villafane.

San Diego, California — The USS San Diego is a warship designed to deliver troops and equipment into combat zones, something the crew routinely trains for from their base in San Diego, California, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. But a closer look at the patches and colors of some of the uniforms on board recently are clues that one of their current missions has objectives about as far away from a theater of war as one can get. “This is a unique opportunity, but this is well within the wheelhouse... Читать дальше...

KADUNA, Nigeria — Gunmen kidnapped dozens of school pupils in northern Nigeria on Thursday, residents and parents of the missing children said, in what would be the biggest abduction targeting a school since 2021.  Police in Kaduna state did not immediately comment on the abductions, which happened shortly after morning assembly at the Local Government Education Authority School in the town of Kuriga.  The number of pupils taken was not immediately clear.  "As we speak, people are writing down... Читать дальше...

Russia’s planned deployment of nuclear-armed anti-satellite weapons into space would violate the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which Moscow signed.

Houston, Texas — A power company said Thursday that its equipment may have sparked the largest wildfire in Texas' history. Xcel Energy — the parent of Southwest Public Service Company, which provides electricity to part of the state — said it was working with officials investigating the cause of the fire that charred more than 400,000 hectares (988,421 acres). "Based on currently available information, Xcel Energy acknowledges that its facilities appear to have been involved in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire," the company said. Читать дальше...

WASHINGTON — Iran’s claimed 41% turnout for its March 1 elections, while a record low, is typical of figures used by authoritarian regimes to legitimize uncompetitive votes, the head of a European nonprofit group that researches the Iranian public’s attitudes told VOA this week. In a televised Monday press briefing, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said 25 million of 61 million eligible voters cast ballots in the elections for the parliament and the Assembly of Experts, which chooses Iran’s supreme leader. Читать дальше...

Harare, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe’s government criticized the modification of U.S. sanctions this week that renew measures against President Emmerson Mnangagwa and some senior leaders while removing others from the list. U.S. Embassy officials said the new sanctions aim to improve Zimbabwe’s human rights record and reduce corruption. Zimbabwe Information Minister Jenfan Muswere on Wednesday condemned the United States and called for an immediate and unconditional removal of what he called “illegal” sanctions. Читать дальше...

In Nepal, a growing Hindu nationalist movement is calling for the country to adopt Hinduism as its state religion and reinstate the country’s Hindu monarchy. Now there is concern over recent clashes between Hindu nationalists and police. Analysts say the movement stems from a combination of disillusionment with the government, inspiration from neighboring India, and social media influencers. Henry Wilkins reports from Kathmandu.

Washington — President Joe Biden will use his State of the Union address late Thursday to announce that he has directed the U.S. military to build a port in Gaza to facilitate delivery of critically needed aid for Palestinians beleaguered by Israeli’s military campaign against Hamas.  The main feature of this port is a temporary pier which will provide the capacity for hundreds of additional truckloads of assistance each day, with initial shipments coming via Cyprus with support of the U.S. military and a coalition of partners and allies... Читать дальше...

Turkey and Turkmenistan have agreed to work toward a major gas export deal, which analysts say takes Ankara closer to becoming a significant energy hub and eases Europe's energy deficit. But they also warn that Moscow can yet thwart such aspirations. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.

Abuja, Nigeria — The United Nations is condemning the reported mass abduction of over 200 internally displaced persons, or IDPs, in Nigeria’s Borno state last week. The U.N. Office for the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria said the incident occurred while the victims, mostly women and children residing in government-run camps, went into the forest in search of firewood.  Mohammed Malick Fall, the U.N. Nigeria resident and humanitarian coordinator, released a statement criticizing the... Читать дальше...

United Nations — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed Thursday for a cease-fire in Sudan for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, saying it is time for rival generals there to lay down their weapons as the country’s humanitarian crisis reaches “colossal proportions.” “I call on all parties in Sudan to honor the values of Ramadan by honoring a Ramadan cessation of hostilities,” Guterres told a meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Sudan. Ramadan starts early next week.  ... Читать дальше...

Gaborone, Botswana — Botswana, which supported calls for the removal of targeted sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, has described the United States' move to partially lift the restrictions as “encouraging.” Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi, addressing the media in Gaborone Wednesday, said there is need for further dialogue between Zimbabwe and the United States to enable the complete removal of the sanctions. "It's very, very encouraging that finally some of our calls have been responded to... Читать дальше...

Global Eye News misquoted Prince Salman, whose public reference to women’s attire confirmed his commitment to Sharia requirements.

DAKAR, SENEGAL — Senegalese presidential candidates faced a shortened race to election day on Thursday after the Constitutional Council confirmed the delayed vote would be held on March 24, kick-starting a competition that remains wide open. Uncertainty over the date of the vote has gripped the West African country since early February, when the authorities' thwarted bid to postpone the February 25 poll by 10 months provoked widespread protests and warnings of democratic backsliding. Many hope... Читать дальше...

COLOGNE, Germany — Germany faced strikes on several fronts on Thursday, as train drivers and airport workers walked off the job, causing chaos for millions of travelers and adding to the country's economic woes at a time of looming recession. The strikes are the latest in a wave of industrial actions to hit Germany, where high inflation and staff bottlenecks have soured wage negotiations in key parts of the transport sector, including national rail, air travel and public transport. Industry has warned about the costs of such strikes... Читать дальше...

China’s top diplomat on Thursday scolded the United States and touted his country’s closer ties with Russia. The comments came on the sidelines of a meeting of China’s parliament. More from VOA’s Bill Gallo, who is in the Chinese capital. (Camera: William Gallo)