Abuja, Nigeria — Nigeria and Cameroon on Friday signed a historic partnership designed to protect wildlife, preserve critical habitats and tackle illegal wildlife trade across their borders. Nigeria's environment minister, his Cameroonian counterpart and other dignitaries were present at a signing ceremony for the pact, which provides legal support for the joint protection of endangered species, including gorillas and chimpanzees, and shared natural habitats. Authorities said the countries would share intelligence... Читать дальше...
There is no connection between Iranian strikes on Israel and the Palestinians’ ability to go to the beach in central Gaza.
washington — Both Tel Aviv and Tehran downplayed Israel’s predawn aerial strike inside Iran on Friday, suggesting neither side wants to see the situation escalate into a full-scale regional conflict. Israel offered no official comment on the incident. Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA, reported only that, “citing an Iranian official,” an air defense system had been activated early Friday “after the sound of an explosion” was heard near a major air base in the central Isfahan province. Читать дальше...
Determined2Heal Foundation, Inc., is a nonprofit organization which empowers, enlightens and assists those impacted by spinal cord injuries. Founded by Josh Basile, the group embarks on a winter skiing adventure in Pennsylvania, bringing together individuals with spinal cord injuries for an exhilarating experience on the slopes. Reporter | Camera | Editor: Philip Alexiou
We visit Astor Place Hairstylists, an iconic New York City business that has set the trends for urban hairstyles, spanning from punk to hip hop, for more than four decades. Reporter | Camera: Aaron Fedor, Producer: Kathleen McLaughlin, Editor: Kyle Dubiel
Washington — The U.S. immigrant population from South and Central Asia has swelled to new heights over the past decade and continues to grow rapidly. Between 2010 and 2022, the number of immigrants from these regions residing in the United States soared to nearly 4.6 million from 2.9 million — a jump of almost 60%, according to recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The surge dwarfs the 15.6% rise in the overall “foreign-born” population of the U.S. during the same period, the data show. Читать дальше...
Geneva — In the wake of a recent outbreak of avian influenza detected in dairy cows and goats in the United States, the World Health Organization is calling on governments to increase their surveillance and to “remain vigilant” regarding the possible spread of this deadly disease to their countries. Dr. Wenqing Zhang, head of the WHO’s global influenza program, said Friday that investigations are underway to determine the extent and severity of the H5N1 bird flu found in 29 herds across in... Читать дальше...
washington — The U.S. Agency for Global Media on Friday named Michael Abramowitz as the new permanent director of Voice of America. In an email to staff Friday, USAGM chief executive Amanda Bennett said that Abramowitz, a former journalist and current president of the think tank Freedom House, will take up the position in coming months. “I am sure he is familiar to many, if not most of you, for the remarkable work Freedom House has led advocating for democracy and human rights — and especially... Читать дальше...
The two front-runners for U.S. president in November were on the campaign trail this week. President Joe Biden visited a northeastern city dealing with high crime rates, and former President Donald Trump visited Harlem. VOA’s senior Washington correspondent Carolyn Presutti looks at the candidates’ differing views on gun control. Videographer: Mike Burke
The Chinese-operated online markets Temu and Shein are shaking up e-commerce with their extremely low prices. But the firms are facing concerns from consumers and Congress. Evie Steele has the story from Washington.
Harare, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has granted amnesty to 4,000 prisoners as part of efforts to decongest the country's crowded jails. Pardoned prisoners at Chikurubi Maximum Prison in Harare were freed Friday after Mnangagwa released females, those with chronic ailments, juveniles and those with life sentences who have served at least 20 years. There was no reprieve for inmates sentenced for murder, treason, armed robbery, robbery or those facing death sentences who were imprisoned for life. Читать дальше...
White House — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday the United States was not involved in Israel’s predawn aerial strike inside Iran and declined to confirm reports that Washington was notified of Israeli plans shortly before the attack. “The reports that you've seen, I'm not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations,” he said during a press conference following a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers in Capri, Italy. Читать дальше...
Roller derby is a fast-paced, hard-hitting sport played on roller skates and dominated by women. VOA’s Genia Dulot takes us out to the skating rink with competitors from the Angel City Derby league in Los Angeles.
No immediate claims of responsibility for deadly shooting
ISLAMABAD — Police in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi said Friday two suicide bombers attacked a van carrying five Japanese autoworkers, but they all escaped unhurt. A senior police officer told reporters that the autoworkers were being driven to an industrial zone in Pakistan’s commercial capital early in the morning when their bulletproof vehicle was targeted. "One terrorist came close to the van and blew himself while another fired at it," said Azfar Mahesar, an area deputy inspector general of Karachi police... Читать дальше...
WASHINGTON — Israel carried out a predawn missile strike inside Iran on Friday local time, U.S. media reported, citing unnamed U.S. officials. The reports by networks ABC, CBS and NPR did not provide further detail about the location or target of the apparent missile strike. A spokesperson for the Israeli military told VOA he had no comment "at the moment" on the U.S. media reports, about an hour after the reports emerged. Iranian state news agency IRNA said the Islamic republic’s air defenses... Читать дальше...
