U.S. Senator Bob Menendez — the former head of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee — is set to go on trial next week for allegedly using his position for personal gain. Jury selection in the federal corruption case is expected to begin in New York on Monday. Aron Ranen has more from New York.
united nations — The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Friday in a show of support for Palestinian statehood, and as a cease-fire remains out of reach in the seven-month war between Israel and Hamas militants that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. “A ‘yes’ vote is a vote for Palestinian existence; it is not against any state,” Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour said before the vote in an emotional speech. “But it is against attempts to deprive us of our state.” The General Assembly voted 143 in favor... Читать дальше...
Kabul, Afghanistan — At least 50 people, mainly women and children, died Friday in flash flooding that ripped through Afghanistan's Baghlan province, in the north of the country, a local official told AFP. "So far, the number of dead is 50 as per the hospital authorities of Baghlan-e-Markazi district of Baghlan province," said Hedayatullah Hamdard, the head of the provincial natural disaster management department, adding that the toll could rise. The official explained that heavy seasonal rains... Читать дальше...
WASHINGTON — A soon-to-be-released Biden administration review of Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in its war in Gaza does not conclude that Israel has violated the terms for their use, according to three people who have been briefed on the matter. The report is expected to be sharply critical of Israel, even though it doesn't conclude that Israel violated terms of U.S.-Israel weapons agreements, according to one U.S. official. The administration's findings on its close ally's conduct of the war... Читать дальше...
geneva — In what they are calling an “unprecedented emergency,” U.N. agencies are warning that humanitarian operations throughout the Gaza Strip will cease within a matter of days if Israel does not reopen border crossings and allow critical fuel supplies to enter the Palestinian territory. “For five days, no fuel and virtually no humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip, and we are scraping the bottom of the barrel,” Hamish Young, UNICEF’s senior emergency coordinator in the Gaza Strip said Friday. Читать дальше...
VOA Connect Episode 330 - Enhancing water safety and addressing glacier melt’s impact on rising sea levels.
Amy Heape is an open water swim coach. Open water swimming is a swimming discipline which takes place in outdoor bodies of water such as oceans, lakes and rivers. Amy trains individuals first in the pool to enhance their swimming technique so they can then enjoy the freedom and joy of swimming in open waters. Camera | Producer | Editor: Gabrielle Weiss
Maira Thomas is a scuba diving instructor. She wanted to involve more women in the sport, so several years ago she started ScubaMAR Maids, an online community of women, who travel and dive together. We'll be joining them on their upcoming trip to Panama. Camera | Producer | Editor: Genia Dulot)
Thwaites Glacier located in Antarctica, is an unusually broad and vast glacier. Known as The 'Doomsday Glacier', scientist say it is rapidly melting. Sridhar Anandakrishnan is a glaciologist and professor at Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. He explains the danger of global warming's effect on Thwaites Glacier, with the increased melting from the glacier causing sea level rise across the globe. Reporter | Camera: Aaron Fedor, Producer: Kathleen McLaughlin, Editor: Kyle Dubiel
Explore the Washington Park Arboretum, an outdoor museum renowned for its focus on trees and woody plants. Situated in the heart of vibrant Seattle, Washington, this 230-acre park is home to over 40,000 plants sourced from various corners of the globe. Camera | Producer | Editor: Gabrielle Weiss
WASHINGTON AND SAN FRANCISCO — U.S. President Joe Biden is set to announce new tariffs on China as soon as next week, targeting strategic sectors, including electric vehicles, according to two people familiar with the matter. The full announcement, which could take place as soon as Tuesday, is expected to largely maintain existing levies, according to one of the people. An announcement could also be pushed back, the person said. The tariffs were also set to include semiconductors and solar equipment, according to one of the people. Читать дальше...
The U.S. economy is one of the biggest issues for voters in the 2024 presidential contest between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Biden campaigned this week on new tech investments. Trump says he will roll back Biden infrastructure spending and increase oil drilling. VOA's Scott Stearns has the story.
SYDNEY — An Australian study claims that China’s monitoring of global internet users’ online habits — a practice that has made TikTok controversial in the United States — extends far beyond the popular social media app to numerous other platforms and even online games. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a research organization that receives funding from the Australian government and others overseas, said in a May 2 report that Beijing’s propaganda chiefs are forging ties with Chinese tech... Читать дальше...
A Venezuelan artist is turning plastic trash into artistic treasure. His latest project is a 200-meter-long masterpiece in a small city in Panama. Óscar Sulbarán reports, in this story narrated by Veronica Villafañe.
DETROIT — Federal investigators say they have “significant safety concerns” about a Ford SUV recall repair that doesn't fix gasoline leaks that can cause engine fires. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is demanding volumes of information from the automaker as it investigates the fix in a March 8 recall of nearly 43,000 Bronco Sport SUVs from the 2022 and 2023 model years, and Escape SUVs from 2022. All have 1.5-liter engines. Ford says the SUVs have fuel injectors that will crack... Читать дальше...
YAOUNDE, CAMEROON — Chad has ordered the immediate deployment of troops to maintain peace, especially in the capital, N'djamena, after provisional results of the May 6 presidential elections surprisingly published on Thursday night declared transitional ruler General Mahamat Idriss Deby winner with over 61% of the votes. The main challenger, Succes Masra, claimed he won, with over 73% of the votes. Residents in Chad's capital, N'djamena, said they awoke Friday morning to the sound of heavy gunshots. Читать дальше...
JERUSALEM — The main United Nations aid agency for Palestinians closed its headquarters in East Jerusalem after local Israeli residents set fire to areas at the edge of the sprawling compound, the agency said. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNWRA, said in a post on the social media platform X that he had decided to close the compound until proper security was restored. He said Thursday's incident was the second in less than a week. "This is an outrageous development. Once again, the lives of... Читать дальше...
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Hope was fading Friday for 44 construction workers buried for days in the rubble of a building that collapsed in South Africa, with authorities saying rescuers are now faced with the challenge of moving thousands of tons of concrete with heavy machinery to see if there are any more survivors. The death toll rose to nine after a worker who was in critical condition died in the hospital, authorities said. Of the 28 workers rescued from the site, 21 were in critical condition... Читать дальше...
NEW DELHI — India said Thursday that Canada has shared no evidence to back its allegation that the Indian government was involved in the slaying of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada last year, despite the recent arrests of three Indian men in the crime. India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also reiterated India's longstanding allegation that Canada harbors Indian extremists. Three Indian nationals who had been living in Canada temporarily were arrested on Tuesday in... Читать дальше...
NEWPORT BEACH, California — Scores of sick and starving pelicans have been found in coastal California communities in recent weeks and many others have died. Lifeguards spotted a cluster of two dozen sick pelicans earlier this week on a pier in coastal Newport Beach and called in wildlife experts to assist. Debbie McGuire, executive director of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, said the birds are the latest group that they've tried to save after taking in more than 100 other pelicans that were anemic... Читать дальше...
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that a U.S. threat to withhold some arms would not prevent Israel from continuing its offensive in Gaza, indicating it might proceed with an invasion of the packed city of Rafah against the wishes of its closest ally. The United States warned on Thursday that Israel will be dealing a strategic victory to Hamas if it carries out plans for an all-out assault on Rafah. We talk to University of California San Diego professor Michael Provence who teaches modern Middle East history... Читать дальше...