Новости за 22.12.2023

new york — Look for flu and COVID-19 infections to ramp up in the coming weeks, U.S. health officials say, with increases fueled by holiday gatherings, too many unvaccinated people and a new version of the coronavirus that may be spreading more easily.  High levels of flu-like illnesses were reported last week in 17 states — up from 14 the week before, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.  "Folks are traveling a lot more this season. They want to see their families," said the CDC's Dr. Читать дальше...

Miami, florida — A former Colombian soldier pleaded guilty Friday to conspiring in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, which plunged the Caribbean nation into violence and political turmoil.  Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, 45, pleaded guilty to three charges, including conspiracy to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States, during a brief hearing before federal Judge Jose E. Martinez. Seated next to his attorney, Alfredo Izaguirre, Palacios answered "Yes, your... Читать дальше...

NEW YORK — The holiday travel rush hit its peak Friday as mild weather and lower flight cancellation rates raised hopes for merrier drivers and airline passengers than last year.  U.S. airlines are predicting a blockbuster holiday season and have projected confidence they can handle the crowds after hiring thousands of pilots, flight attendants and other workers, seeking to avoid the delays and suspensions that marred travel last year and culminated with the Southwest Airline debacle that stranded more than 2 million people. Читать дальше...

GENEVA — The World Health Organization says dengue, a mosquito-borne illness, is surging worldwide because of climate change, along with social, environmental and other factors, such as population growth and the globalization of travel, which facilitates the spread of the viral infection. "Climate change has an impact on transmission because it increases rainfall, humidity, and temperatures," said Diana Rojas Alvarez, World Health Organization team lead on arboviruses. "So, these mosquitos are very sensitive to temperature... Читать дальше...

The UN passes a security council resolution on Gaza, as half a million people there are starving. Plus, we look at Israel's existential question. We get an update from Kyiv where a drone attack struck too close to home or our reporter, and we meet an award-winning journalist from Burkina Faso.

Johannesburg, south africa — As a new space race between the United States and China takes off, Africa is increasingly an arena for competition between the two superpowers. And so far, analysts say, China is ahead.   While Africa's space agencies are still in their infancy compared to those of the U.S. and China, analysts say space has become a new frontier for diplomacy with African countries.  "In recent years, China has emerged as the leading partner with Africa," said Nigerian space scientist Temidayo Oniosun... Читать дальше...

MOSCOW — The head of a company that makes navigation systems for Russia's space program was arrested in Moscow and charged with major fraud, state media reported Friday. TASS news agency quoted an unidentified law enforcement official as saying that Yevgeny Fomichev had been interrogated and charged with large-scale fraud, which carries a prison term of up to 10 years and a fine of 1 million rubles ($10,972). TASS said Moscow's Basmanny District Court, which often handles high-profile cases,... Читать дальше...

Johannesburg, South Africa — The deployment of so-called “consular volunteers” by China’s diplomatic missions overseas is raising concerns among some analysts and watchdogs who see them as part of the Communist Party’s “long arm” abroad and fear they could be used to monitor dissent – something Beijing denies.   “They are not ‘spies’ per se, as they do not directly carry out espionage etc. But they do act on behalf of a foreign influence,” said Chung Ching Kwong, co-author of a recent report on... Читать дальше...

SANTA BARBARA, California — A Pacific storm that pounded California's coastal areas and stranded motorists was poised to pounce on the southeastern area of the state through Friday, bringing flood threats to a sweeping area extending from San Diego into the Mojave Desert and even into parts of Arizona.  As millions of Californians scrambled to finish their holiday shopping or prepared to head out onto highways, the National Weather Service issued flood watches for low-lying urban areas and the deserts. Читать дальше...

BERLIN — A storm brought heavy rain and strong winds across northern Europe overnight and into Friday, bringing down trees and prompting warnings of flooding on the North Sea coast. A woman in Belgium was fatally injured by a falling Christmas tree, while another tree killed a person in the Netherlands. The 20-meter (66-foot) Christmas tree collapsed onto three people at a busy market in Oudenaarde in western Belgium late Thursday, killing a 63-year-old woman and injuring two other people. The Christmas market was immediately canceled. Читать дальше...

Have you ever wondered how the holidays were celebrated in 18th-century America? VOA’s Saqib Ul Islam visits Mount Vernon, the historic home of America's first president, George Washington. At this historic site, one of the nation’s most visited, holiday traditions from the 1770s are preserved.

Christmas for many is a time of family togetherness and good cheer, but for older adults, it can too often be one of the year’s loneliest days. Age UK, a charity group that deals with ageism and the problems of this demographic, says people can take simple steps to help. Umberto Aguiar has more from London in this report narrated by Elizabeth Cherneff.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN — Weeks before Taiwan’s January 13 presidential and legislative election, the three presidential candidates – Hou Yu-ih, Lai Ching-te, and Ko Wen-je – have increased efforts to sharpen rhetoric on cross-strait relations, an issue long dominating Taiwan’s politics. With no major differences among their cross-Strait policy platforms, which endorse preserving the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, some analysts say the only way to differentiate themselves is to claim to be the only... Читать дальше...

Diyarbakir, Turkey/Washington — Turkey’s parliament erupted in controversy this week when the nation’s only Assyrian lawmaker delivered a Christmas message in his native Syriac language, offending other legislators who believe that only Turkish should be spoken in the national assembly. "Starting with our Greek, Armenian and Assyrian citizens living in Turkey, I congratulate all Christians on Christmas," said George Aslan, a member of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), during a budget debate Monday. Читать дальше...

As the United Nations Security Council again delayed a vote on a resolution to deliver more aid to Gaza, US President Joe Biden is increasingly isolated on the world stage over his support for Israel's military campaign. At home, voters broadly disapprove of his handling of the strife. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this story.

The United Nations postponed a vote on a new Gaza cease-fire and the release of more Israeli hostages to Friday. Israeli police say 19 Israeli prison guards are under investigation in the death of a Palestinian security prisoner.

HONG KONG — A Hong Kong court on Friday rejected a bid by prominent activist publisher Jimmy Lai to throw out a sedition charge against him, delivering the ruling on the third day of his landmark national security trial. Lai, 76, was arrested during the city's crackdown on dissidents following huge pro-democracy protests in 2019. He faces possible life imprisonment if convicted under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing. He is charged with colluding with foreign forces to endanger... Читать дальше...

BEIJING — Hundreds of temporary one-room housing units were set up Thursday in northwest China for survivors of an earthquake that destroyed more than 14,000 homes and killed at least 144 people, according to state media reports. The death toll rose by nine as search teams dug through heavy mudslides that had inundated two villages, a city official in Qinghai province said Friday morning. Three people remained missing in the mudslides. State broadcaster CCTV showed footage of cranes lifting white... Читать дальше...