Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to send a delegation to the U.S. to discuss Israeli plans for a ground invasion into Gaza’s crowded city of Rafah — a plan the White House has described as a “mistake.” Meanwhile, aid groups warn that famine is looming for the besieged exclave. VOA’s Anita Powell reports from the White House.
washington — The U.S. military said it destroyed seven missiles and three drones Monday in areas of Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels that presented threats to merchant ships and U.S. Navy vessels. Iran-backed Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea region since November in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's war against Hamas militants in Gaza. United States Central Command forces operated "in self defense" when they engaged and destroyed the anti-ship missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles... Читать дальше...
At least 24 bodies were found in one of Haiti’s upscale neighborhoods, an area where violence is unusual. Notorious Haitian coup leader Guy Philippe has made an alliance with the gangs who want him to be president. And, freedom of speech vs. posting dangerous misinformation on social media.
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month amid growing concerns about North Korea's nuclear program, provocative Chinese action in the South China Sea and differences over a Japanese company's plan to buy an iconic American steel company. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a statement on Monday said the first-ever U.S.-Japan-Philippines leaders' summit is an opportunity... Читать дальше...
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan on Tuesday protested China's boarding of a tourist boat, as tensions rise around the Kinmen archipelago, which lies a short distance off China's coast but is controlled by Taiwan. Taiwanese media reported the King Xia, carrying 11 crew and 23 passengers, was boarded by the Chinese coast guard for about 32 minutes on Monday. Taiwan's coast guard escorted the boat back to Kinmen, and it then continued its sight-seeing voyage. Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling... Читать дальше...
washington — An Al Jazeera journalist covering a hospital raid in Gaza on Monday was beaten and detained by Israeli forces for around 12 hours, the network said. Al Jazeera reported that members of the Israel Defense Forces, or IDF, assaulted their Arabic language correspondent Ismail Al-Ghoul, destroying his equipment and arresting him along with other media and hospital workers. Al-Ghoul had been forced to strip naked before being led away by the soldiers, Al Jazeera says. He was released late Monday, according to the Qatari news outlet.
washington — The Supreme Court on Monday continued to block, for now, a Texas law that would give police broad powers to arrest migrants suspected of illegally entering the U.S. Meanwhile, the legal battle the law sparked over immigration authority continues to play out. A one-page order signed by Justice Samuel Alito indefinitely prevented Texas from enforcing a sweeping state immigration enforcement law that had been set to take effect this month. The language of the order strongly suggested the court would take additional action... Читать дальше...
Pentagon — The United States is not ruling out a continued military presence in Niger, despite a statement by the country’s ruling military junta that it was ending an agreement allowing for the presence of American forces engaged in counterterrorism missions. U.S. defense officials said Monday the U.S. has yet to withdraw any of its approximately 1,000 military personnel from Niger and, along with officials from the White House and the State Department, said conversations with Nigerien officials are continuing. Читать дальше...
washington — The European Parliament has adopted a media freedom act designed to protect journalists and their work from political and economic interference. The idea for the European Media Freedom Act was introduced in 2022 after the EU raised concerns about media pluralism in countries such as Hungary and Poland. The act is focused on independence, stable funding of public service media, and transparency of media ownership. It also includes protections for journalists from harassment by authorities... Читать дальше...
