Новости за 07.06.2017

Madeleine Albright, the former secretary of state, is worried about democracy.   Albright's next book, “Fascism,” is a warning that democratic governments are “fragile” and the United States under President Donald Trump is enduring its own crisis.   “The author examines the economic, religious, racial, and cultural factors that are today dividing populations and fostering bigotry across the globe, while also looking at how demagogues from Mussolini to Duterte have attracted followers by exploiting fear... Читать дальше...

Increased violence and corruption in central Africa could be the result of the recent decision by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission not to enforce a rule requiring American companies to report their use of conflict minerals, warn Congolese civic groups, rights groups and U.S. senators. "The conflict minerals rule has played a critical role in reducing violence in mining areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo," said U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware, who recently signed a letter... Читать дальше...

Suspected Boko Haram fighters attacked the city of Maiduguri in northeast Nigeria on Wednesday, the Islamist militant group's most serious assault on the regional capital in a year and a half. The raid comes six months President Muhammadu Buhari said Boko Haram had "technically" been defeated by a military campaign that had pushed many jihadists deep into the remote Sambisa forest, near the border with Cameroon. Aid workers and Reuters witnesses reported explosions and heavy gunfire for at least... Читать дальше...

About 25,000 military forces from the United States and 23 other countries will take part in a large-scale military exercise called Saber Guardian planned in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania next month. In addition, several U.S. B-1B heavy bombers have arrived in Britain in support of two separate multinational exercises planned in the Baltic region and other parts of Europe this month to improve coordination among partner countries. The U.S. military plans were announced by Stuttgart-based U.S. Читать дальше...

In a call with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, U.S. President Donald Trump offered to mediate the country's diplomatic crisis with its neighbors. "The president reiterated that a united Gulf Cooperation Council and a strong United States-Gulf Cooperation Council partnership are critical to defeating terrorism and promoting regional stability," a readout of the call said. "The president offered to help the parties resolve their differences, including through a meeting at the White House... Читать дальше...

U.S.-backed Kurdish YPG militia forces chanted as they advanced toward the northern outskirts of the Islamic State-held town of Raqqa in northern Syria, attempting to set foot inside the city and dislodge the militant group from its so-called capital. The U.S. envoy to the anti-IS coalition, Brett McGurk, said Wednesday in Baghdad that the battle for Raqqa would "only escalate," as the group loses control of its northern Iraqi stronghold of Mosul. He added that the fight for Raqqa would be a "difficult... Читать дальше...

China likely will try to expand its military presence across the world with military bases in Pakistan, Djibouti and elsewhere, as it sees its role in global affairs growing, according to a report released Tuesday by the Pentagon. The annual Pentagon report on Chinese military developments  says China already is expanding its presence in foreign ports as a way to "pre-position the necessary logistics support" to sustain far away from the Chinese homeland. “China's expanding international economic... Читать дальше...

A U.N. report issued Wednesday expects foreign direct investment to rise 5 percent this year to nearly $1.8 trillion, and it sees modest increases in such investment continuing into 2018. Foreign direct investment, or FDI — investment made by a company or person in one country in business interests of another country — fell 2 percent in 2016 to $1.7 trillion. Economists at the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development, in the organization's World Investment Report 2017, projected a modest recovery... Читать дальше...

U.S. Representative Adam Schiff of California was one of many American lawmakers to condemn an attack on protesters outside the Turkish embassy last month. "The message from Turkey is clear as day: We can do as we please, whether at home to our citizens or on your own American soil," he told the House floor Wednesday. "Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to affirm that we will not allow Turkey to beat innocent protesters on the streets of our nation's capital. We will continue to pursue justice,... Читать дальше...

Imatong state education officials launched a get-back-to-school campaign Wednesday to encourage thousands of school dropouts to return to class, despite the myriad challenges their families face. One of them is the fact that several schools are still being occupied by government and armed opposition forces. Seventeen-year-old Agatha Idiongo, a pupil at Bright Christ Academy, was one of hundreds of young people who attended the launch. Agatha said financial troubles and the ongoing fighting have prevented her from achieving her dreams. Читать дальше...

The momentum of climate change efforts and the affordability of cleaner fuels will keep the United States moving toward its goals of cutting emissions despite the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Paris global accord, business and government leaders in a growing alliance said. New York, California and 11 other states representing nearly 40 percent of the U.S. economy, mayors of about 200 cities, and leaders of business giants including Amazon, Apple and Target have signed pledges to keep... Читать дальше...

This city knows how to do big hearings - even Titanic ones.   Dramatic congressional hearings are something of a Washington art form, a rite of democracy carefully crafted for the cameras.   Suspense is building as fired FBI director James Comey prepares to claim the microphone Thursday in an austere, modern hearing room of the Hart Senate Office Building. He is to testify about his dealings with President Donald Trump and the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections with Russia. Читать дальше...

This week Straight Talk Africa examines where things stand in terms good governance, rule of law and social and economic justice for all in Africa. Host Shaka Ssali is joined by Mmeli Dube, a Zimbabwean Human Rights Activist, Nii Akuetteh, African policy analyst and Morrison Rwakakamba, Chief Executive Officer of Agency for Transformation, a Ugandan think tank.

A look at the best news photos from around the world.

The Trump administration supports making permanent a law that allows for the collection of digital communications of foreigners believed to be living overseas and which pass through U.S. phone or internet providers, a senior White House official said. The law, which is due to expire on December 31 unless Congress votes to reauthorize it, has been criticized by privacy advocates who argue it allows for the incidental collection of data belonging to millions of Americans without a warrant. "We... Читать дальше...

In Myanmar, more than 200,000 people remain internally displaced by past and current conflicts, despite increased international development. Steve Sandford speaks to Karen IDPs about the difficulties that accompany impending camp closures.

Facebook is working with three global relief organizations to provide disaster maps — close to real-time data about where people are, where they are moving, and whether they are in danger in the hours and days after a flood, fire or earthquake. The social networking giant — with nearly 2 billion users, or about 25 percent of the world's population — said it has agreed to provide maps to UNICEF, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the World Food Program... Читать дальше...

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress has been hurt by a new wave of corruption allegations targeting President Jacob Zuma, with the top party brass saying Wednesday that the end may be nearing for the increasingly unpopular leader. “We’ve got a brand to protect as a current leadership as the next leadership will have the same responsibility," party spokesman Zizi Kodwa told journalists. "The more the allegation of corruption is repeated, about any member of the ANC, it damages the ANC ... We’re dealing with difficulties... Читать дальше...

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Wednesday that he won't commit to holding a vote to increase the government's borrowing authority this summer. The Wisconsin Republican instead says the House will vote on such debt legislation before the government defaults — but not necessarily by an August deadline requested last month by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.   "We're going to address the debt ceiling before we hit the debt ceiling," Ryan told reporters.   Increasing the so-called debt limit is... Читать дальше...

As Britain confronts a wave of terrorist attacks, pressure is mounting on its Muslim community to do a better job of identifying potential extremists and policing itself. At the forefront of such efforts is Nazir Afzal, a Muslim and former top prosecutor. Afzal gained national attention for pioneering difficult prosecutions to tackle honor-based violence and forced marriage, as well as child sexual exploitation and grooming in the northwest of England, including Manchester, the site of last month's... Читать дальше...

A U.S. congressional delegation returned from central Africa last week with one overriding question: what can be done to stop South Sudan's war and help the refugees streaming into Uganda, suffering from a lack of food?   Representative Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey, says the answer lies with the parties in South Sudan's conflict, especially the government and military, which have been accused of blocking food aid to needy populations, using rape as a weapon of war and engaging in ethnic cleansing. Читать дальше...

A strong network of friends and family has long been seen as a key component of happiness, but a new study suggests friends may be more important than family. Researchers at Michigan State University also found the importance of friendship on health and happiness grows as people get older. “Friendships become even more important as we age,” said William Chopik, assistant professor of psychology at MSU. “Keeping a few really good friends around can make a world of difference for our health and well-being. Читать дальше...

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is tweeting his thanks to former U.S. President Barack Obama after the two shared a private dinner at a Montreal restaurant. Trudeau posted a picture of the pair talking in the eatery, with the caption "How do we get young leaders to take action in their communities? Thanks BarackObama for your visit & insights tonight in my hometown." ​A crowd cheered the two leaders as they left.   Last year, Obama hosted Trudeau for a state dinner at the White House, the first for Canada since 1997. Читать дальше...

U.S. President Donald Trump is meeting with people he describes as "victims" of the nation's health care law Thursday in the Midwestern city of Cincinnati, Ohio, as he addresses his plan to overhaul the country's infrastructure. A White House statement said rebuilding the infrastructure is "a critical pillar of the president's agenda to promote job creation and grow the U.S. economy." Trump will speak at a marina on the Ohio River to discuss his $1 trillion plan to repair the country's aging bridges, roads and waterways. Читать дальше...

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly is defending President Donald Trump's proposed budget cuts, even as he tells Congress that the United States "cannot invest too much in security" after recent terrorist attacks in Europe. Trump proposed a budget last month that would cut nearly $700 million from grant programs for local first responders. Overall, Homeland Security would face a reduction of 3.2 percent.   House Republicans and Democrats on Wednesday raised concerns about the proposed cuts. Читать дальше...