Новости за 21.12.2023

SRINAGAR, Indian administered Kashmir — Muneer Ahmad Sofi, a 25-year-old salesman, received a call in September from an unknown number. The caller identified herself as an employee of Curative Survey Private Limited, a startup company on the Indian side of Kashmir. The woman briefed Sofi about the company, saying it was involved in conducting surveys before introducing cosmetic products. She gained Sofi’s trust and invited him to join an online survey after creating an account on the company’s official website or mobile application. Читать дальше...

We examine some of the major challenges faced by the media globally in 2023. This week on The Inside Story: A Free Press Matters.

The U.N. says Malawi is home to tens of thousands of refugees fleeing conflict in Africa's Great Lakes region. However, human rights groups say some are being rounded up and moved against their will. Chimwemwe Padatha has more from Lilongwe, Malawi.

BLANTYRE, MALAWI — Malawi, which already is suffering from food shortages, this week banned the import of unmilled maize from Kenya and Tanzania over concerns that the spread of maize lethal necrosis disease could wipe out the staple food. The ministry of agriculture announced the ban in a statement that said the disease has no treatment and can cause up to 100% yield loss. The statement said maize can be imported only after it is milled, either as flour or grit. Henry Kamkwamba, an agriculture... Читать дальше...

beijing — China, the world's top processor of rare earths, banned the export of technology to extract and separate the critical materials on Thursday, the country's latest step to protect its dominance over several strategic metals. Rare earths are a group of 17 metals used to make magnets that turn power into motion for use in electric vehicles, wind turbines and electronics. While Western countries are trying to launch their own rare earth processing operations, the ban is expected to have... Читать дальше...

From ChatGPT to the impacts of machine learning on the music and film industry, academia and politics, generative artificial intelligence dominated technology news in 2023. Deana Mitchell takes a look.

Washington — Students from China retained their position in 2023 as the largest group of international students in the United States. Despite a slight dip, they are still the leading country of origin for foreign students pursuing an education in the U.S. The State Department granted more than 600,000 international student visas in fiscal 2023, which ended in September, the highest issuance since fiscal 2017. Among these, 289,526 visas were awarded to Chinese students, a decrease of 560 students compared to the previous year... Читать дальше...

Loved ones of Americans imprisoned overseas have a small reason to celebrate this holiday season. The U.S. Congress passed an annual spending measure to fund the Department of Defense, including special considerations for Americans wrongfully detained. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi has the story. Camera: Saqib Ul Islam

Nairobi — Kenyan and international researchers are hoping to save the northern white rhino species from extinction by implanting eggs from an older female northern white rhino into a female surrogate rhino from another species. Samuel Mutisya, head of research and species at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in central Kenya, says his team used 29 eggs taken from one of the two aging white rhino females that remain in the conservancy. He says his team aimed to fuse the eggs with saved northern white rhino sperm to create a pure embryo... Читать дальше...

Bangkok — Thailand on Thursday edged closer to becoming the first Southeast Asian nation to recognize same-sex unions when bills to change an existing law cruised through their first reading, progress that prompted Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to say he believes love will "finally triumph." Four marriage equality bills were debated by the elected Lower House in Thailand's parliament, and all were easily passed in 360-10 vote, moving them along to the next two readings. One of four bills is likely to be selected for royal assent ... Читать дальше...

300 people from across the country spend up to a week decorating the presidential mansion for the holidays

During the last year, China has intensified its harassment of much smaller Philippine vessels in disputed parts of the South China Sea. To level the playing field, the Philippines is turning to information warfare, as VOA’s Bill Gallo reports from Manila. VOA footage by Ron Lopez.

BRUSSELS — The European Union’s top court ruled Thursday in a landmark decision for the future of soccer’s club competitions that UEFA and FIFA acted contrary to EU competition law in blocking plans for the breakaway Super League. The case was heard last year at the court after Super League failed at a launch in April 2021. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin called the club leaders "snakes" and "liars" and threatened to ban players from Super League clubs. The company formed by 12 rebel clubs ... Читать дальше...

ISLAMABAD — The United States and human rights defenders Thursday renewed a call for Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban to allow female students to return to universities and ensure that women have access to education at all levels. This week marks one year since the exclusively male Taliban government abruptly suspended women’s attendance in public and private higher education institutions, making impoverished Afghanistan the only country in the world to officially ban girls from education from grade seven onward. Читать дальше...

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — High-pressure water cannons knocking out the engines of a tiny Philippine supply boat. Military-grade lasers temporarily blinding the crew of a coast guard ship. And high-seas chases that have resulted in multiple collisions. Scenes like this have played out regularly in recent months, as China intensifies its harassment of much smaller Philippine vessels in disputed parts of the South China Sea. The incidents leave little question about China’s vast military edge over the Philippines. Читать дальше...