Новости за 04.05.2023

Israel's defense minister said Thursday that Iran could have enough enriched uranium for five nuclear weapons and warned Tehran that proceeding to weapons-grade enrichment could "ignite the region."  His remarks echoed international concerns, which have mounted over the past months, about Tehran's enriching uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. Experts have said that the Islamic Republic has enough fuel to build several atomic bombs if it chooses.  "Make no mistake, Iran will not... Читать дальше...

This week, we're at the United Nations for the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day. Where is a free and independent media in the greatest danger? And who is fighting to ensure the rights of journalists? Join us on The Inside Story: A Free Press Matters.

Good news for all the password-haters out there: Google has taken a big step toward making them an afterthought by adding "passkeys" as a more straightforward and secure way to log into its services.  Here's what you need to know:  What are passkeys?   Passkeys offer a safer alternative to passwords and texted confirmation codes. Users won't ever see them directly; instead, an online service like Gmail will use them to communicate directly with a trusted device such as your phone or computer to log you in. Читать дальше...

Environmental groups sue the U.S. government over SpaceX’s launch license. Plus, a pair of spacewalks outside the International Space Station, and a glimpse at the destruction that scientists say awaits our home planet. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi brings us The Week in Space.

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

In nearly six months of unrest in Iran, the regime turned to wholesale jailing of dissenting voices and threats to media overseas. But some experts say those tactics have lost their power to instill fear. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi has more. Camera: Mary Cieslak, Gary Jaffe

Officials in Rwanda say the search for victims continued Thursday after torrential rains this week caused mudslides and severe flooding in the north, western and southern provinces, killing at least 130 people and destroying thousands of homes.  Government officials surveying affected areas said they expect the death toll to rise as several victims are likely buried in mud and debris.  Deputy government spokesman Alain Mukuralinda told reporters that at least 77 people have been injured, 36 of whom were still hospitalized early Thursday. Читать дальше...

The U.S. State Department said peace talks between diplomats from Armenia and Azerbaijan held outside Washington since Sunday are expected to conclude Thursday.  In a statement, the department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken will take part in a closing session of the bilateral talks between Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov shortly before 2 p.m. Washington time.  The two sides have been meeting at a state department diplomatic facility in Arlington, Virginia. Читать дальше...

A federal jury in Washington has convicted the former leader of the far-right Proud Boys and three associates of seditious conspiracy charges for their role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.   Former Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio and regional leaders Joe Biggs, Ethan Nordean and Zach Rehl, were also found guilty Thursday of conspiring to obstruct Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. But the jury was deadlocked... Читать дальше...

The suspect in a mass shooting in Atlanta that left one woman dead and four others wounded has been charged with one count of murder and four counts of aggravated assault, Fulton County Jail records show.  Deion Patterson was awaiting his first court appearance Thursday after police say he opened fire in the waiting room of an Atlanta medical practice Wednesday. Workers and others in a bustling commercial district took shelter for hours during the manhunt.  Authorities swarmed the city's midtown... Читать дальше...

Authorities in Pakistan said Thursday that clashes with militants and a suspected sectarian-based shooting incident in areas abutting Afghanistan had killed at least 13 people, including six soldiers. A military statement said Pakistani troops had engaged a "terrorists' location" in the North Waziristan border district, killing three and wounding two others in the ensuing shootout. "However, during an intense exchange of fire, six brave soldiers, having fought gallantly, embraced shahadat [martyrdom],"... Читать дальше...

The U.S. Small Business Administration has named Abdirahman Kahin, a Somali American restaurant chain owner in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the National Small Business Person of the Year for 2023. Mohamud Mascadde in Minneapolis and Abdulaziz Osman Washington have more in this report, narrated by Salem Solomon. Videographers: Abdulaziz Osman and Mohamud Mascadde

Bilan Media, an all-female media outlet in Somalia marked its first-year anniversary in April, bucking societal expectations of what a woman’s role should be. Mohamed Mahmud visited their newsroom in Mogadishu, narrated by VOA's Salem Solomon. Video editor: Salem Solomon

Global temperatures are likely to reach new highs this year with the predicted onset of El Nino, a natural occurring phenomenon typically associated with the warming of the planet. “The development of an El Nino will most likely lead to a new spike in global heating and increase the chance of breaking temperature records,” said Petteri Taalas, secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization. That is bad news for global efforts to reduce climate change. Taalas noted that the onset... Читать дальше...

Zambia’s opposition has criticized an agreement with Kenya to allow Kenyan farming of maize in Zambia to help meet its food needs amid a record drought. The National Democratic Congress says Zambian farmers should be given priority for farming Zambian land for exports to Kenya and note problems with maize supplies at home. Kathy Short reports from Lusaka, Zambia. Camera:  Richard Kille.

In Sudan, heavy fighting was reported in and around the capital Khartoum early Thursday, despite a weeklong cease-fire agreed to by both sides in the conflict. Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Defense Forces each appeared to be trying to push the other out of central Khartoum and control areas around the presidential palace and army headquarters. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed Wednesday for an end to the fighting in Sudan and international support for the Sudanese people... Читать дальше...

The coronation of Britain’s King Charles III takes place in London on Saturday. The king came to the throne after the September death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Charles is head of state not only in the United Kingdom, but in more than a dozen countries. In Australia, the death of Queen Elizabeth has reignited the debate about the country’s constitutional future. As the coronation approaches, republican sentiment in Australia is again stirring. Campaigners argue that Australia’s constitutional monarchy... Читать дальше...

A panel of global health experts will meet Thursday to decide if COVID-19 is still an emergency under the World Health Organization's rules, a status that helps maintain international focus on the pandemic. The WHO first gave COVID its highest level of alert on Jan. 30, 2020, and the panel has continued to apply the label ever since, at meetings held every three months. However, several countries have recently begun lifting their domestic states of emergency, such as the United States. WHO Director-General Dr. Читать дальше...

As of this week, Uzbekistan has a new constitution. The country's Central Election Commission says more than 90% of voters approved the new basic law in an April 30 referendum, with а turnout rate of 84.5%. International observers expressed reservations, noting that "there was no organized opposition to the amendments" and that as with previous Uzbek elections and referendums, the balloting fell "short of genuine political pluralism and competition." But CEC Chairperson Zayniddin Nizamkhodjaev... Читать дальше...

Nestled amid the snow-capped peaks and pristine valleys of Kashmir, work is nearing completion on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), an ambitious undertaking set to connect the picturesque region to the rest of India. The rail line is expected to revolutionize transportation and connectivity in the region. With a length of 272 kilometers, the rail line will provide a crucial link between the Baramulla district in Indian-administered Kashmir and the outside world, allowing rapid movement of people, goods and security personnel.

Work is nearing completion on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), an ambitious undertaking set to connect the picturesque region to the rest of India. The rail line is expected to revolutionize transportation and connectivity in the region.

Adidas is set to update investors Friday about the unsold Yeezy shoes that have put the German sportswear giant in a predicament since it cut ties with Kanye West over his antisemitic comments late last year. Executives are expected to tackle the issue when the company reports first-quarter results Friday which will likely show a 4% decline in net sales to $5.07 billion, according to a company-compiled consensus. Investors have high hopes new CEO Bjorn Gulden can turn Adidas around: the stock has gained around 65% since Nov. Читать дальше...

A critic of the Laos government has been hospitalized after being targeted by a gunman in the capital, Vientiane. Early reports of his death appear to have been erroneous. Anousa “Jack” Luangsuphom was reported dead after he was shot in the face and chest at point-blank range while sitting in a café Saturday. Luangsuphom, who runs the Kub Kluen Duay Keyboard (Driven By Keyboard) Facebook page, is widely known for posting criticism of the nation’s communist authorities and the government. Local... Читать дальше...

A top House Republican subpoenaed FBI Director Chris Wray on Wednesday for what he claimed are bureau records related to President Joe Biden and his family, basing the demand on newly surfaced allegations he said an unnamed whistleblower made to Congress. The White House said it was the latest example in the years-long series of “unfounded, unproven” political attacks against Biden by Republicans "floating anonymous innuendo." Kentucky Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee and Accountability... Читать дальше...

Two 10-year-olds are among 300 children who worked at McDonald's restaurants illegally, a Labor Department investigation of franchisees in Kentucky found. Agency investigators found the 10-year-olds received little or no pay at a McDonald's in Louisville, the Labor Department said. The franchisee for the Louisville store was among three McDonald's franchisees fined $212,000 in total by the department. Louisville's Bauer Food LLC, which operates 10 McDonald's locations, employed 24 minors under... Читать дальше...