YAOUNDE, cameroon — Cameroon has outlawed any discussion about the health of 91-year-old President Paul Biya, a letter shared by the interior ministry said, after Biya's prolonged absence fueled widespread speculation he was unwell. Earlier this week, the authorities put out statements saying the president was on a private visit to Geneva and in good health, dismissing reports he had fallen ill as "pure fantasy." In the letter to regional governors dated October 9, Interior Minister Paul Atanga... Читать дальше...
QUETTA, Pakistan — Gunmen killed 20 miners and wounded another seven in Pakistan’s southwest, a police official said Friday, drawing condemnation from authorities who have ordered police to trace and arrest those who are behind the killings. It’s the latest attack in restive Balochistan province and comes days ahead of a major security summit being hosted in the capital. Police official Hamayun Khan Nasir said the gunmen stormed the accommodations at the coal mine in Duki district late Thursday night, rounded up the men and opened fire. Читать дальше...
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand's defense minister issued stinging rebukes of what she said were "vile" and "misogynistic" online remarks by "armchair admirals" about the woman captain of a navy ship that ran aground, caught fire and sank off the coast of Samoa. "Seriously, it's 2024," Judith Collins told reporters Thursday. "What the hell's going on here?" After days of comments on social media directed at the gender of Commander Yvonne Gray, Collins urged the public to "be better." Women... Читать дальше...
Hurricane Milton slammed into Florida’s coast overnight Wednesday as a weakened Category 3 storm, causing 'significant' damage, the state’s governor said Thursday. At the White House, the Biden administration said federal workers were delivering assistance. With Joe Pernalete in Tampa, Florida, VOA White House correspondent Anita Powell has the story.
Dozens more missiles are fired on Israel from Lebanon. At least 11 dead in Florida following Hurricane Milton, millions are without electricity as cities remain flooded. A look at Christian nationalism in the United States, how misinformation spreads and how it can be stopped. Plus, Argentina’s economy is still ravaged by inflation.
Israel launched attacks targeting Hezbollah militants in central Beirut on Thursday, killing at least 22 and injuring 117 people in the Lebanese capital. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reports that the Biden administration says it supports Israel’s targeting of Hezbollah but does not want to see the country turn into 'another Gaza.'
Taipei, Taiwan — Organizers of Taiwan's premier film festival report a huge increase this year in entries from China, despite a ban imposed by Beijing six years ago on participation in the festival by Chinese filmmakers and actors. As many as 100 Chinese entries had been submitted for Golden Horse Awards in recent years, in defiance of the ban and without apparent consequences. But this year organizers say the number of movies and documentaries submitted from China shot up to 276. More than a... Читать дальше...
denver — Twelve people were rescued Thursday night after being trapped for about six hours at the bottom of a former Colorado gold mine when an elevator malfunctioned at the tourist site, authorities said. One person died in the accident. The elevator was descending into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near the town of Cripple Creek when it had a mechanical problem around 150 meters beneath the surface, creating a "severe danger for the participants," and one person was killed, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said. Читать дальше...
Kenya's national airline is producing diesel fuel made from plastic waste. Authorities say the goal is to provide cheaper fuel and to reduce plastic waste pollution. Victoria Amunga reports from Nairobi. Camera: Jimmy Makhulo.
washington — This week, Pakistan banned a grassroots protest movement advocating for the rights of Pashtuns, an ethnic minority inhabiting the country's northwestern region. The government in Islamabad contends the movement, known as PTM, poses a threat to national sovereignty and security, but human rights groups view the move as part of a larger crackdown on dissent. The ban, enacted Sunday under Pakistan's anti-terror law, comes as tensions are mounting ahead of a PTM-planned jirga, or council of elders, on Friday. Читать дальше...
Back-to-back monster hurricanes in the United States. A hurricane in France and Belgum. Record rainfall in Bosnia and Herzegovinia. Unprecedented levels of flooding, drought and wildfires across the globe. Scientists say weather events are becoming more extreme due to human caused climate change. Despite real-time catastrophes, warnings for action are not leading to the level of urgency that scientists warn is needed. And one of the problems is climate denial. We’ll speak with Joshua Newell, co-director... Читать дальше...
CAIRO — A Liberia-flagged tanker was struck twice with missiles and drones in the Red Sea on Thursday morning, in an attack claimed by Iran-aligned Houthi militants. The Olympic Spirit was hit about 135 kilometers southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, British maritime security firm Ambrey said. The tanker, en route from Saudi Arabia's Jeddah to Muscat in Oman, was struck on its starboard side. The projectile hit the bridge and caused minor damage, Ambrey said. Four hours later, two additional... Читать дальше...
BEIRUT / ISTANBUL — Hundreds of Turkish citizens seeking refuge from Israel's attacks on the armed group Hezbollah were evacuated from Lebanon Thursday on board two Turkish naval ships. The two vessels — the TCG Sancaktar and TCG Bayraktar — also delivered 300 tons of humanitarian aid, including food, blankets and tents, upon arrival at Beirut’s port on Wednesday. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the ships are carrying 878 Turkish citizens, 24 Turkish Cypriots from northern Cyprus and 64 of their first-degree relatives. Читать дальше...
