Новости за 25.03.2024

washington — Thousands of cherry blossoms began blooming earlier this month in Washington, bringing scores of tourists from around the world to see them at the Tidal Basin. But this year many tourists are coming to see one tree in particular: Stumpy. Stumpy, a short cherry tree in poor condition, looks like it shouldn't be in any shape to grow blossoms — particularly as floods routinely soak the tree's roots. Every year, however, it blooms, giving the tree a reputation as a symbol of hope, resilience and relatability among its fans. Читать дальше...

Georgetown, Guyana — Fresh turmoil involving a transitional presidential council that will be responsible for choosing Haiti’s new leader triggered a flurry of meetings with Caribbean leaders and officials from the U.S., Canada and France, officials said Monday. The council has yet to be sworn in given concerns over the security of its members, among other things, a regional official who was not authorized to talk to the media told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The official is based in Guyana... Читать дальше...

The UN Security Council passes a ceasefire resolution as the Israeli defense minister arrives in Washington. Russia is still reeling from an attack at a concert hall that left 137 dead. Kyiv is again struck by Russian missiles, and a look at the Senegalese elections.

Turkey says it is preparing to launch a major military operation into Iraq against Kurdish rebels operating from there. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vows to end what he says is the threat posed by the Kurdish rebel group, PKK, which has been fighting Turkey for decades. As Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, Ankara is looking to Baghdad and Tehran for support.

DAKAR — Senegal opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye was set to be declared the country's next president after his rival from the ruling coalition called him Monday to concede defeat.  Results trickling in since polls closed Sunday evening in the first round of a delayed presidential election rapidly suggested Faye, 44, may have clinched an outright majority. The trends announced on local media sparked street celebrations by his supporters in the capital Dakar.  Ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba... Читать дальше...

FRANKFURT/BERLIN — A fresh pledge by Beijing to treat foreign companies like domestic rivals drew a cool response from one of its biggest trading partners, Germany, where industries called for concrete actions rather than words to create a true level-playing field. Germany's engagement in the world's No.2 economy has been in focus, partly because China remains its biggest trading partner but also because Berlin has asked companies to diversify away from what it calls "partner, competitor and systemic... Читать дальше...

Seoul, South Korea — A star South Korean soccer player who was detained and investigated in China for nearly a year over bribery allegations has been released and returned home, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said Monday. Son Jun-ho, a former member of the South Korean national team who had played professionally in China, was detained by Chinese authorities at the Shanghai airport in May on suspicion of taking bribes. The Foreign Ministry confirmed that Son was back in South Korea but didn’t provide further details... Читать дальше...

Haryana, India — After the morning chores of cooking, and milking buffaloes are completed in the narrow alleys of Mankrola village in India's northern Haryana state, women gather in the house of Rekha Sabharwal, who heads a women's community group. An animated discussion follows about the forthcoming general elections that begin April 19. While Mankrola is still a largely patriarchal society, women have begun asserting their voice loudly in one place — at polling booths. "In the village, the... Читать дальше...

Washington — Vice President Kamala Harris plans to meet on Monday with President Bernardo Arévalo of Guatemala as the U.S. grapples with an influx of migrants to its southern border, thousands from that Central American nation.  The two leaders are expected to discuss the Biden administration's use of so-called "safe mobility offices," which were set up in Guatemala, Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador in the fall, among other immigration matters. The safe mobility offices are designed to streamline... Читать дальше...

MAKUENI, Kenya — On a dry riverbed one recent sunny morning, residents of Kasengela village toiled away mixing cement and sand to make concrete. The sound of their shovels resonated through the valley while other residents, working in pairs, carried rocks to the site in wooden frames.  They were building a sand dam, a structure for harvesting water from seasonal rivers. The barrier, typically made of concrete, impedes water flow and coarse grains of sand settle behind it, creating an artificial aquifer that fills up during rainy seasons. Читать дальше...

Taipei, Taiwan      — China said it may propose talks on maritime issues with Australia amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.  Following Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s trip to Australia last week — during which he exchanged views on trade, consular affairs, and regional security with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong — the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on March 21 that Beijing is actively considering “launching a dialogue on maritime affairs” with Australia. Читать дальше...

Millions celebrate by dancing, exchanging food and drink, and smearing each other with colorful powder

DAKAR, SENEGAL — Vote counting is underway as Senegalese cast their ballots Sunday for presidential candidates after months of political tension and uncertainty. The election comes after outgoing President Macky Sall’s earlier attempt to delay the vote raised fears he may try to hold on to power. By Sunday evening, most polling stations around Senegal had closed and the much-anticipated election seemed to have gone smoothly, according to reports. Thousands of Senegalese showed up all over the... Читать дальше...

sydney — A joint investigation by three environmental groups has documented six potentially illegal large-scale deforestation cases in Australia. Greenpeace Australia Pacific, the Queensland Conservation Council and the Wilderness Society published their findings Monday. The groups have provided their allegations of unauthorized land clearing to the federal government in Canberra for assessment. The alliance has said that in each case, habitat for threatened and endangered species, including the koala... Читать дальше...

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea — At least five people were killed, and an estimated 1,000 homes destroyed when a magnitude 6.9 earthquake rocked flood-stricken northern Papua New Guinea, officials said Monday as disaster crews poured into the region.  "So far, around 1,000 homes have been lost," said East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, adding that emergency crews were "still assessing the impact" from a tremor that "damaged most parts of the province." Dozens of villages nestled on the banks of the... Читать дальше...

sydney — New Zealand said on Monday it will dispatch defense personnel, helicopters and a naval ship to the Solomon Islands to assist in a national election due next month, where relations with China will be a key issue. The deployment is part of a $6.48 million support program for the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission announced in January and that will help transport election officers and materials around Pacific Island nations. New Zealand's foreign ministry said the vessel HMNZS Canterbury... Читать дальше...

WASHINGTON — The young voices in the messages left for North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis were laughing, but the words were ominous. “OK, listen, if you ban TikTok I will find you and shoot you,” one said, giggling and talking over other young voices in the background. “I’ll shoot you and find you and cut you into pieces.” Another threatened to kill Tillis, and then take their own life. Tillis’s office says it has received around 1,000 calls about TikTok since the House passed legislation this... Читать дальше...

PARIS — France's government increased its security alert posture to the highest level Sunday after the deadly attack at a Russian concert hall and the Islamic State's claim of responsibility. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced the decision in a post on X, formerly Twitter, saying authorities were "taking into account the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the (Moscow) attack and the threats weighing on our country." The announcement came after President Emmanuel Macron held... Читать дальше...

Quito, Ecuador — An Ecuadoran mayor was found shot to death Sunday, police said, as the South American country approaches its third month of a state of emergency decreed by the government to crack down on soaring gang violence. Brigitte Garcia, the 27-year-old mayor of coastal San Vicente, was found dead along with the municipality's communications director, Jairo Loor. During the early hours of the morning "two people were identified inside a vehicle without vital signs, with gunshot wounds," the Ecuadoran national police said on X... Читать дальше...