Новости за 01.11.2023

The Federal Reserve kept its key short-term interest rate unchanged Wednesday for a second straight time but left the door open to further rate hikes if inflation pressures should accelerate in the months ahead.  In a statement after its latest meeting, the Fed said it would keep its benchmark rate at about 5.4%, its highest level in 22 years. Since launching the most aggressive series of rate hikes in four decades in March 2022 to fight inflation, the Fed has pulled back and has raised rates only once since May. Читать дальше...

At least 40 people were killed in Nigeria's Yobe state from Monday into Tuesday after suspected Boko Haram militants shot at villagers and set off a land mine, in the first major attack on the northeastern state in 18 months, the police said on Wednesday. The attack happened about 8:30 p.m. Monday, at Gurokayeya village, Gaidam local government in Yobe, the state's police spokesperson Abdulkarim Dungus said. He said that gunmen opened fire on villagers, killing at least 17 people, and that on Tuesday a land mine exploded... Читать дальше...

Turkey and Iran on Wednesday called for a regional conference aimed at averting the spread of the Israel-Hamas war. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian a day after Iran's top diplomat met Hamas leaders in Qatar. Iran has warned that the armed groups it supports in the region could attack Israel in light of its war on Hamas. Fidan said Turkey was pushing for an immediate cease-fire because "it is not difficult to predict that this spiral of... Читать дальше...

Pakistan has started rounding up and deporting undocumented foreigners — including 1.7 million Afghan nationals — following a one-month deadline for voluntary departure that expired Wednesday. Authorities have reported that nearly 250,000 Afghans have returned to their home country voluntarily in the run-up to the November 1 deadline to avoid being arrested and forcibly expelled. The United Nations and Pakistani officials say those facing deportation include more than 600,000 people who fled... Читать дальше...

On the second day of his state visit to Kenya, Britain’s King Charles honored Africans who served with British forces during the two world wars before he headed to an urban forest to help highlight the crucial role of green spaces in cities. Charles and Queen Camilla honored World War II veterans Wednesday at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Kariokor. Daniel Achini, the commission's regional manager for East Africa, called the cemetery "very important to us." "The king is here... Читать дальше...

Drivers in Malawi are getting an opportunity to purchase electric vehicles through a local startup company. The handful of buyers so far say they no longer have to struggle daily to get fuel at pump stations. Lameck Masina reports from Blantyre.

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

The U.S. House of Representatives will vote Wednesday on whether to expel New York Representative George Santos because of his indictments for corruption. Santos pleaded not guilty to a 23-count federal indictment on October 27 that included charges of laundering funds to pay for his personal expenses, illegally receiving unemployment benefits and using donors' credit cards without their consent. The charges also include Santos reporting a false $500,000 campaign loan and lying to the House about his assets. Читать дальше...

U.S. President Joe Biden has nominated Kurt Campbell, the U.S. National Security Council’s coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs, to be the State Department’s No. 2 diplomat behind Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In an email obtained by VOA and addressed to State Department staff members, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Campbell’s nomination "comes at a critical inflection point," coinciding with the United States' investment in an "unmatched network of alliances and partnerships" in the Indo-Pacific. Читать дальше...

David Obiukwu, a student from Nigeria studying at Allen Community College in the U.S. state of Kansas, talks about his experiences as an international student and gives advice on adjusting to college life. Read his comments in The Allen Flame, the student newspaper, here. (October 2023)

The World Health Organization warns that disease outbreaks, malnutrition and non-communicable diseases are rising in war-torn Sudan, with devastating consequences for millions of people forced to flee their homes in the face of escalating violence.  Since conflict erupted April 15, more than 4.6 million people have become newly displaced inside Sudan. The number, added to the more than three million who already were displaced within the country before the current conflict, makes Sudan home to the world's largest internally displaced crisis. Читать дальше...

Analysts are divided over whether Hezbollah militants in Lebanon will enter the Israeli-Hamas conflict beyond firing rockets across the Israeli-Lebanese border. The Iran-backed militia presents a potentially greater danger to Israel than Hamas, but if Hezbollah did enter the war, it would likely drag ailing Lebanon into it, too. Some people in Lebanon and across the Middle East are jittery as Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader, is expected to speak Friday. In some respects, the analysts said... Читать дальше...

Taiwan said Wednesday that China sent 43 military aircraft and seven ships near the self-ruled island, the latest sign that Beijing plans no let-up in its campaign of harassment, threats and intimidation. Taiwan's Defense Ministry said the figure was current for the 24 hours up to 6:00 a.m. Wednesday and that 37 of the aircraft had crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait, which China no longer recognizes as an informal divider between the sides. It said Taiwan had monitored the situation... Читать дальше...

Britain’s King Charles said Tuesday there is “no excuse” for the “abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence” committed against Kenyans during the East African nation’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. The monarch made the acknowledgement during a state banquet in Nairobi at the start of a four-day state visit by Charles and Queen Camilla. The visit comes ahead of celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Kenya’s independence on December 12. More than 10,000 Kenyans were killed and others rounded up... Читать дальше...

In mid-November, Washington’s trade representatives will be in San Francisco for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Week. Trade experts say the US has moved away from unlimited free trade and toward targeted trade policies, which could help Washington attract more APEC nations to invest in a US manufacturing boom already underway. VOA’s Jessica Stone reports. Video edit: Chenny Yu Chen

Zambian authorities say trade between the country and China increased to more than $5 billion in 2022, bringing an influx of Chinese products into local markets. Some Zambians appreciate having more choices, but others aren’t happy about the competition. Kathy Short reports from Lusaka. VOA footage by Richard Kille.

Indonesia slashed carbon emissions targets for its power sector by 2030 and pledged to boost the share of renewable energy in a roadmap it released on Wednesday as it seeks to wean itself off coal. Southeast Asia's largest economy is attempting to reach net-zero power sector emissions by 2050 in return for financing for the $20 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) plan. Under the plan, Jakarta has pledged to slash its power sector carbon emissions to a peak of 250 million metric tons by 2030... Читать дальше...

Latest Developments:  Gaza-Egypt border opens to foreigners at Rafah for the first time Wednesday since the start of Israel - Hamas war.   Opening of Rafah crossing part of a deal between Israel, Hamas and Egypt brokered by Qatar First group of foreign passport holders departed besieged Gaza Strip Wednesday First group of injured Palestinians were also taken into Egypt for medical treatment under deal Internet and phone networks are down across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the Palestinian... Читать дальше...

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is bringing together government officials, academics and tech moguls from around the world for a two-day AI Safety Summit Wednesday and Thursday at Bletchley Park, the once top-secret headquarters of World War II-era codebreakers. The inaugural symposium is a moment for key players in global affairs to spar over the future of frontier AI, specifically whether the technology represents a danger to humanity and what can be done to mitigate that potential threat. Читать дальше...

An Indonesian court sentenced to jail on Wednesday the chief executive and three other officials of a company whose cough syrup has been linked to the death of more than 200 children, for violating drug safety laws, the company's lawyer said. The Indonesian company, Afi Farma, was accused of producing cough syrups containing excess amounts of toxic material and prosecutors charged the four officials for "consciously" not testing the ingredients, despite having the means and responsibility to do so, according to a charge sheet. Читать дальше...

Halloween revelers thronged central Shanghai late on Tuesday night, with some dressed in costumes that poked fun at China's strict COVID-19 curbs in a rare showcase of free expression as police looked on. Celebrations in the Chinese financial hub began on the weekend, culminating on Tuesday in a large crowd of mostly young people that gathered around a popular bar area, according to onlookers and social media posts. While most attendees did not dress up and many of those who did wore outfits like monsters and superheroes... Читать дальше...

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is eager to diffuse long-running trade and diplomatic tensions with China when he visits the country Nov. 4 through 7. A dispute over Australian wine exports at the World Trade Organization has been suspended. China is, by far, Australia’s biggest trading partner.   Albanese’s trip to Beijing and Shanghai will be the first by an Australian prime minister to China since 2016. There’ve been tensions between Australia and China over various geopolitical issues... Читать дальше...

President Joe Biden is facing a revolt from some members of his own Democratic Party over his unwavering support for Israel as that country expands ground operations in Gaza and Palestinian civilian casualties mount. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report.

The number of Afghans seeking asylum in the United States has jumped to 19,000 over the past two years, marking a sharp contrast to the annual double- and triple-digit figures previously reported by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. From 2013 to 2021, the United States granted asylum to fewer than 1,000 Afghans in total. The sharp rise in the number of Afghan asylum-seekers is directly linked to the evacuation by the U.S. military of more than 124,000 individuals, mostly Afghan nationals... Читать дальше...

An American couple in Uganda has been convicted of cruel and inhumane treatment of a 10-year boy, who was in their care. The couple was found guilty of six charges and ordered to pay more than $26,000 in compensation to the boy, who is now in a children’s home. Justice Alice Komuhangi started delivering her verdict by describing the situation as a systemic problem with no mechanisms to take care of children like the 10-year-old. “That’s why the victim found himself in the hands of the accused... Читать дальше...