Новости за 25.07.2023

As monsoon rains battered India early in July, authorities released excess water into rivers that flow into neighboring and arch-rival Pakistan. While this process is normal, Pakistanis who were also facing intense rains were taken by surprise as the water came much earlier than expected, prompting mass evacuations. VOA Pakistan bureau chief Sarah Zaman visited villages along the banks of the Sutlej River. Camera: Wajid Asad

A jury on Tuesday found six people guilty of terrorist murder for extremist attacks in Brussels in 2016 that killed 32 people and were claimed by the Islamic State group, in Belgium's deadliest peacetime violence, according to Belgian media. Among those convicted for their role in the suicide bombings at Brussels' airport and a subway station was Salah Abdeslam, who already is serving a life sentence without parole in France over his role in attacks that hit Paris cafes, the Bataclan theater and France's national stadium in 2015. Читать дальше...

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Representatives of Afghanistan's Taliban government traveled to Indonesia earlier this month on an unofficial visit, the foreign ministry in Jakarta said Tuesday, despite Kabul saying they held meetings with politicians in the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation. The Taliban administration that took back power in August 2021 is trying to shore up recognition of its rule across the Islamic world, including courting Indonesia to boost political and economic ties. But... Читать дальше...

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria's main opposition party on Monday called for an investigation after security forces arrested two alleged Boko Haram militants believed to be plotting to attack the party's presidential candidate. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it believes attackers were planning to kill the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in his home, slay innocent citizens and cause chaos. The arrests Sunday came amid continued court battles over the outcome of Nigeria's February presidential election. Читать дальше...

Next year, a daily oral birth control pill will be available in the United States without a prescription for the first time. Reproductive health advocates say the move will improve the well-being of women in the country, but some groups have raised concerns. VOA's Veronica Balderas Iglesias explains.

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked a rule that allows immigration authorities to deny asylum to migrants who arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border without first applying online or seeking protection in a country they passed through. But the judge delayed his ruling from taking effect immediately to give the administration time to appeal. The order from U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar of the Northern District of California takes away a key enforcement tool set in place by the Biden administration as coronavirus-based... Читать дальше...

The top decision-making body of China’s rubber-stamp parliament voted Tuesday to oust foreign minister Qin Gang and reappoint his predecessor Wang Yi to the role. Analysts say the surprising personnel reshuffle weeks after Qin disappeared from public view reflects turmoil in China’s diplomatic system and expect it will have a negative impact on Beijing’s engagement with other countries. The 57-year-old career diplomat has long been viewed as one of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s trusted allies. Читать дальше...

Taliban authorities in Afghanistan enforced a nationwide ban on beauty parlors Tuesday after the expiration of a one-month deadline for owners to close the businesses, leaving tens of thousands of women without work in a country grappling with poverty. Since returning to power nearly two years ago, the hardline Taliban have placed sweeping restrictions on the rights of women, barring them from education, public spaces and most forms of employment. Beauty parlors were one of the few remaining employment opportunities for Afghan women... Читать дальше...

Current and former international soccer players from Australia's Indigenous community have criticized the lack of legacy funding targeting First Nations football as the country hosts the Women's World Cup. Australia is co-hosting the tournament with New Zealand, but the signatories said on Tuesday that they saw little evidence of funding to increase Indigenous participation in the A$291 million ($196.98 million) 'Legacy '23' plan to grow the game in the country. The letter, addressed to Football Australia and FIFA... Читать дальше...

Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, was hospitalized after going into cardiac arrest while participating in a practice at Southern California on Monday, a family spokesman said Tuesday. The spokesman said medical staff treated the 18-year-old James on site and he was transported to a hospital, where he was in stable condition after leaving the intensive care unit. "We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information," the spokesman said. Читать дальше...

Air strikes and artillery barrages from Sudan's warring generals killed at least 16 people in a Khartoum neighborhood on Tuesday, a neighborhood group reported. After more than 100 days of war, the latest bombardments added to a toll of at least 3,900 killed nationwide. "Sixteen citizens died today in this senseless war" when shells hit civilian homes in the Ombada area of Khartoum's northwest, the neighborhood group said. It is one of many pro-democracy "resistance committees" that have... Читать дальше...

The fingerprints of climate change are all over the intense heat waves gripping the globe this month, a new study finds. Researchers say the deadly hot spells in the American Southwest and Southern Europe could not have happened without the continuing buildup of warming gases in the air. These unusually strong heat waves are becoming more common, Tuesday's study said. The same research found the increase in heat-trapping gases, largely from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas has made another heat wave ... Читать дальше...

In 2022, doctors recorded the first confirmed case of tick-borne encephalitis virus acquired in the United Kingdom. It began with a bike ride. A 50-year-old man was mountain biking in the North Yorkshire Moors, a national park in England known for its vast expanses of woodland and purple heather. At some point on his ride, at least one black-legged tick burrowed into his skin. Five days later, the mountain biker developed symptoms commonly associated with a viral infection — fatigue, muscle pain, fever. Читать дальше...

Iranian authorities have arrested several followers of the Baha'i faith accused of spying for Tehran's arch-foe Israel, local media in the Islamic republic reported on Tuesday. The Baha'is, Iran's largest non-Muslim religious minority, are not recognized by the state and often targeted over alleged ties to Israel — home to their most important shrines and world headquarters. "A number of members at the core of the Baha'i spy party have been arrested in Gilan province" in Iran's north, said the Fars news agency... Читать дальше...

Higher education is under deep scrutiny from America’s 2024 presidential contenders. For example, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has tried to defund all Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs in Florida’s public universities. Many college leaders feel that academic freedom is under threat, and that they have to speak out to save it. But many others have remained silent. Josh Moody of Inside Higher Ed dives into their anxieties and motivations. (June 2023)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is exploring ways artificial intelligence can help detect illegal shipments of the synthetic opioid fentanyl. VOA’s Julie Taboh has more. VOA footage by Adam Greenbaum

Sasha Prendes is a Cuban-American pop singer who grew up in Kansas. Her new single “Shake This” is an instant pop hit that will make you want to shake off the mundane and embrace the vibrant spirit of her intoxicating performance.

A Russian fighter jet flew within a few meters of a U.S. drone over Syria and fired flares at it, striking the American aircraft and damaging it, the U.S. military said Tuesday, the latest in a string of aggressive intercepts by Russia in the region. A senior Air Force commander said the move on Sunday was an attempt by the Russians to knock the MQ-9 Reaper drone out of the sky and came just a week after a Russian fighter jet flew dangerously close to a U.S. surveillance aircraft carrying a crew in the region... Читать дальше...

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was in a car accident Tuesday as he traveled to presidential campaign events in Tennessee but wasn't injured, his campaign said. Campaign press secretary Bryan Griffin confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the Republican hopeful "was in a car accident while traveling to an event in Chattanooga, Tennessee." Griffin said that DeSantis "and his team are uninjured." Further details on the accident were not immediately available. DeSantis was scheduled to hold... Читать дальше...

Goalkeeper Gaelle Thalmann shielded Switzerland to a 0-0 draw against Norway on Tuesday at the Women's World Cup, as the Norwegians played without star striker Ada Hegerberg because of injury. Hegerberg was initially listed to start, but the team announced during the match that the former Ballon d'Or winner was unable to play after experiencing "a feeling in the groin" toward the end of her pre-match warmups. The Norwegians could have used her to break open a scoreless game. In her place, Sophie Roman Haug started the match as a striker. Читать дальше...

Throughout South Korea's Women's World Cup opener against Colombia on Tuesday, players stayed loose behind the goal. Early in the 78th minute, one player broke away from the group. Casey Phair, at 16 years and 26 days, stepped onto the field and became the youngest player to do so in a World Cup — women's or men's. "Going on, I was really, really nervous," said Phair, who has an American father and a South Korean mother and was raised in the United States. "It was a scary moment, but then going on and running around... Читать дальше...

China has removed outspoken Foreign Minister Qin Gang from office and replaced him with his predecessor, Wang Yi.  In an announcement on Tuesday evening, state media gave no reason for Qin’s removal, but it comes after he dropped out of sight almost one month ago amid speculation over his personal affairs and political rivalries.  The ministry has provided no information about Qin's status in keeping with the ruling Communist Party’s standard approach to personnel matters within a highly... Читать дальше...

The gravity-defying customized cars known as lowriders started out in Mexican American communities of the western United States and now have inspired lowrider clubs in Asia and South America. VOA Correspondent Scott Stearns takes us to an art show inspired by lowrider design.

Chinese surveillance ships are moving in to monitor the largest ever military drills involving the US and Australia. Defense officials expect the high-tech spy ships to remain outside Australia's territorial waters during "Talisman Sabre." Thirty thousand military personnel from more than a dozen countries are participating in "Talisman Sabre," including troops from Canada, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Australia is monitoring two Chinese surveillance ships. One is reported to be... Читать дальше...

A Greek air force water-dropping plane crashed while diving into a wildfire in southern Greece on Tuesday, killing both pilots, as authorities battled blazes that have been raging for days across the country amid a return of heat wave temperatures. A state ERT TV video showed the CL-215 aircraft releasing its load of water on the island of Evia before its wingtip apparently snagged in a tree branch. Moments later it disappeared into a deep fold in the ground from which a fireball erupted. The air force said the pilots... Читать дальше...