Новости за 06.12.2017

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev threatened on Wednesday to sack his cabinet if it failed to make large state companies bring back cash held abroad. Nazarbayev, who wields sweeping powers in the oil-rich nation, also poured scorn on executives in private sector companies who, he suggested, were enjoying lavish lifestyles while keeping funds in foreign accounts. "Enough of toying around, look at them, carried away with their games, keeping their money abroad, buying yachts and mansions in... Читать дальше...

Libyan electoral officials announced Wednesday the opening of a two-month voter registration period, though it is unclear when elections will next be held in the divided nation. The United Nations is supporting the voter registration process as it seeks to reconcile rival factions and relaunch a political transition that would lead to new polls. The U.N. Libya mission has previously said it hopes elections can be held by the end of next year, but has also acknowledged complex security, political... Читать дальше...

NATO’s Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan has denied reports that construction material and equipment being imported and transported through neighboring Pakistan are being used to establish a new army base in the conflict-hit country. The English-language Pakistani newspaper DAWN reported Wednesday, citing official documents it claimed to have seen, that the imports are being used to construct a military facility by the name of “Camp Shaheen.” “Recently, a vessel loaded with a huge quantity... Читать дальше...

Supporters of the far right in Finland and anti-facists staged rival marches in the capital Wednesday as the country celebrated 100 years of independence. Police in riot gear reinforced by security personnel from around the country made 10 arrests because of scattered fights and misbehavior. About 2,000 people joined the anti-facist march while demonstrations by two far-right groups also gathered up to 2,000 people, the police said. Anti-immigrant sentiment has been on the rise in the Nordic... Читать дальше...

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday called on the nation's immigration courts to decide cases more efficiently, amid a burgeoning backlog that is hampering the Trump administration's efforts to deport more illegal immigrants. Sessions' memo to the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the agency under the Department of Justice that conducts immigration court proceedings, called on judges and staff to do what they can "consistent with the law" to "increase productivity, enhance efficiencies... Читать дальше...

The international community reacted swiftly to President Donald Trump’s announcement the United States would formally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that could reignite Israeli-Palestinian violence.   U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres led the chorus of global voices Wednesday urging calm and restraint.   “From day one as secretary-general of the United Nations, I have consistently spoken out against any unilateral measures that would jeopardize the prospect of peace... Читать дальше...

Six people, including two pharmacy owners, have been arrested in Zambia and accused of the illegal sale of HIV and malaria testing kits as part of an international crackdown on profiteering from foreign aid, U.S. officials said Wednesday. The test kits are provided in developing countries like Zambia for free distribution, the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of Inspector General (OIG) said. It said the arrests stem from an effort to make U.S. foreign assistance more... Читать дальше...

Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, whose Democratic Party (PD) is shedding support in opinion polls, suffered a further setback on Wednesday when two allies said they would not contest next year's election. Renzi quit as prime minister a year ago after losing a referendum on his planned constitutional reforms. He aims to return to power at the vote due by May, but the PD has split under his leadership and his prospects seem to be dwindling. On Wednesday Giuliano Pisapia, a former mayor of Milan... Читать дальше...

Schools were closed across Ventura County in Southern California as a wildfire continued to burn Wednesday, threatening 12,000 structures. Dozens of homes have burned since the fire erupted Monday 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Fire Department has deployed hundreds of firefighters and called in helicopters and airplanes to battle the blaze. Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said Wednesday that if the Santa Ana winds died down, the department would "get a handle" on containing the fires. Читать дальше...

The Pentagon says there are roughly 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria, quadruple the number U.S. officials had acknowledged until now. The figure reflects an order by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to revise how the Pentagon accounted for deployed personnel carrying out major operations in Iraq and Syria. The new number does not mean additional troops have been deployed to the volatile country, but it does show the large inaccuracy of previous figures. "In implementing this change, we seek to balance... Читать дальше...

High drama degenerated into farce with the attempted arrest of  Mikheil Saakashvili by Ukrainian authorities on Tuesday, leaving international experts puzzled about the motives behind the move but in agreement on one point - the mishandled operation has so far served mainly to tarnish the image of Ukraine's government. Television cameras captured most of the action as riot-clad security forces dragged the one-time president of Georgia from his Kyiv apartment to a waiting police van, only to be... Читать дальше...

Under heavy criticism from Arab and majority Muslim countries for a decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Trump administration says it is committed to the Middle East peace process. VOA diplomatic correspondent Cindy Saine looks at the broader contours of what administration officials describe as a new approach to peace and stability in the region.

Former Mexico finance minister Jose Antonio Meade, who resigned to seek the presidential nomination of the ruling party, is lagging far behind in public support ahead of next year's election, according to a newspaper poll published Wednesday. Meade, who is widely expected to receive the nomination of the centrist Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), came in third in two scenarios polled by Mexican newspaper El Universal, while leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador maintained a strong lead in both instances. Читать дальше...

Kiss co-founder and entrepreneur Gene Simmons has a new book out in which he hopes to reveal the principles of being rich and powerful. There's no quick fix: You're going to have to wake up early, dress better, turn off the TV and study.   "On Power" is part guidebook, part self-help manual, with several profiles of people Simmons thinks we should admire, like Oprah Winfrey and Warren Buffett.   His advice to gaining wealth is simple: Think of a good idea, start a limited liability partnership in your home... Читать дальше...

Sixteen Democratic U.S. senators, including at least 10 female lawmakers, on Wednesday called for their party colleague, Senator Al Franken, to resign in the face of mounting allegations that he made unwanted sexual advances on multiple women during the past two decades. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York was the first to say that the 66-year-old Franken should quit.  He was a popular television comedian before twice winning Senate elections in the midwestern state of Minnesota. But her call... Читать дальше...

The news of the United States' intention to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel dominated talks Wednesday between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and King Abdullah II of Jordan. In statements to the media at the presidential palace, both leaders voiced concern. "If the wrong step is taken regarding Jerusalem's status, it will be the cause of indignation in the Islamic world," Erdogan said, adding that it will "dynamite the ground for peace, igniting new tensions and clashes." Abdullah... Читать дальше...

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

What has US President Donald Trump done with respect to Israel? Donald Trump has decided to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the first U.S. President to do so since Israel was founded in 1948. Tel Aviv is currently home to the U.S. Embassy and many foreign embassies. Trump plans to eventually move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, but relocation could take up to two years. U.S. law requires the president to sign a waiver every six months that leaves the embassy in Tel Aviv. This week Trump missed the latest six-month deadline... Читать дальше...

“A Journey from Evil,” VOA’s special documentary about the Boko Haram terror group.

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Africa News Tonight is a lively news magazine show featuring VOA correspondent reports, interviews with African officials, opposition leaders, NGOs and human rights activists. News feature stories look at science and technology, environmental issues, humanitarian topics, the African diaspora, business, arts and culture. Music and the popular sports segment, Sonny Side of Sports, round out the show.

Imagine the day you board a bus and it starts moving. It obeys all traffic signs and stops at signal lights. All without a driver. That’s the future, happening right now at a business park in Northern California. VOA’s Carolyn Presutti takes us on what’s probably your first ride on a driverless shuttle bus.

Sometimes, the best way to learn is by doing. That's what a dozen high school students in Rockville, Maryland, are doing, as they explore the real world of nursing. They are participating in a certified nursing assistant (CNA) program that prepares them to take and pass certifying exams and begin a career in health care. Twenty skills This is the third year that Linda Hall, nursing professor at Montgomery County College, has led the program, which covers every aspect of the profession. The four-day-a-week course... Читать дальше...

U.S. President Donald Trump announces the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, southern California battles dangerous wildfires and singer Selena Gomez gets some international recognition as well as improved health.

The members of the Neo-Soul band, Joon Moon sit down with Border Crossings host, Larry London to talk about and perform songs from their new cd, "Moonshine Corner."