Hundreds of prisoners, including an opposition party leader, were freed Saturday in Cameroon after Cameroon President Paul Biya ordered a halt to court proceedings against them. Supporters sang and shouted at the Yaounde military tribunal as opposition leader Maurice Kamto, who claims he won the October 2018 presidential election, was freed along with other members … continue reading -> “Cameroon Opposition Leader, Supporters Released”
Thousands marched in Edinburgh Saturday calling for Scottish independence, with a possible British exit from the European Union just weeks away and calls growing for a fresh vote in Scotland on breaking from Britain. The demonstrators, many carrying Scottish flags, some wearing kilts and a few playing musical instruments – including bagpipes – set off … continue reading -> “Thousands in Scottish Capital March for Independence”
The International Organization for Migration has helped 143 Somali refugees, stranded in war-torn Yemen, return home earlier this week. The group of Somali refugees, including 56 children, set off by boat from the port of Aden on Monday and arrived at the port of Berbera in Somaliland the following day. The U.N. migration agency’s … continue reading -> “Scores of Somali Refugees Return Home From Yemen”
Rev. Franklin Graham did not utter the word “impeachment” as he spoke to thousands of Christians here this week, the latest stop on a long-running tour he has dubbed Decision America — a title with political and religious undertones. But evangelicals who turned out to see Graham didn’t necessarily need his warning that “our country … continue reading -> “Rev. Graham’s Tour Evokes Evangelical Support for Trump”
Yves Manuel in Port-au-Prince, Monica Lindor in Jacmel, Socrate Ameyes Jean Pierre in Miragoane, Charles Makenson in Jeremie, Innocente Desgranges in Petit Goave, Lucson Palmeus in Port-de-Paix and Junior Racine in St. Marc contributed to this report WASHINGTON / PORT-AU-PRINCE – Thousands filled the streets of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as cities to the … continue reading -> “Haiti Protesters Demand US, International Community Stop Supporting President Moise”
The former owner of a California wine business has been sentenced to five months in prison for his role in the college admissions scheme. Fifty-three-year-old Agustin Huneeus, of San Francisco, was sentenced in Boston’s federal court Friday after pleading guilty to a single count of fraud and conspiracy. Authorities say Huneeus paid $50,000 to rig … continue reading -> “Former Vineyard Owner Gets 5 Months in College Bribery Case”
A high-tech hotel in Japan is science fiction come to life, with virtual ninjas staffing the front desk, facial recognition software that detects customers’ moods, and dinosaur footprints leading to the elevator. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi takes us back to the future. …
A University of Georgia researcher reported that about 90 percent of all the plastic ever produced is still around, most of it is in the ocean or the world’s landfills. Its effects on the environment and our health are still being studied. To combat this rising tide of garbage, many cities, states and countries are banning … continue reading -> “Islamabad Bans Plastic Bags”
A full 8 hours of sleep just isn’t in the cards for some people. But what about a quick nap? New research suggests short naps can lower a person’s risk for cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes by as much as 48 percent. Karina Bafradzhian visited a new shop that believes in the value … continue reading -> “DC Power Nap Studio Offers Americans Sleep”
Israel was swearing in its newly elected parliament on Thursday for what could be a very short term after the country’s second inconclusive election of the year left it with no new government on the horizon. The normally festive event also takes place in parallel to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s high-profile pre-indictment hearing on corruption … continue reading -> “Israel Swears in New Parliament Amid Political Deadlock”
A group representing French-American taxpayers said Thursday it had filed a suit against France with the European Commission, hoping to avoid strict US compliance rules that could see them blacklisted by French banks starting in January. The “Accidental Americans” association has been battling for years to be exempt from a US demand that all its … continue reading -> “‘Accidental Americans’ File EU Suit Against France Over US Tax Risk”
Australia’s ban on Chinese telecoms giant Huawei’s involvement in its future 5G networks and its crackdown on foreign covert interference are testing Beijing’s efforts to project its power overseas. In its latest maneuver, China sent three scholars to spell out in interviews with Australian media and other appearances steps to mend the deepening rift with … continue reading -> “China-Australia Rift Deepens as Beijing Tests Overseas Sway”
Asli Pelit from VOA’s Turkish Service contributed to this report. The killing of prominent Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi shook the world one year ago, when the public learned how a Saudi government team assassinated and dismembered him inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Khashoggi had criticized Saudi Arabia’s leaders for … continue reading -> “One Year After Khashoggi Murder, Still Looking for Accountability”
Iran’s state TV says the constitutional watchdog has ratified a bill granting citizenship to children of Iranian mothers but non-Iranian fathers. Wednesday’s ratification came after parliament approved the bill in May following decades-long demands by rights activists. Under the new law, children born to Iranian mothers will be eligible for Iranian citizenship. Until now, more … continue reading -> “Iranian Children of Non-Iranian Fathers to Get Citizenship”
A new video that shows people casually discussing gene editing and designer babies is making waves because of who posted it: the government-funded group leading efforts to set standards for the ethically dicey science. The National Academy of Sciences posted the video earlier this week. It also sent a tweet that it removed after criticism … continue reading -> “Gene Editing Video Stirs Talk of Designer Babies, Ethics”
North Korea has conducted another apparent missile launch, hours after announcing it will hold working-level nuclear talks with the United States on Saturday. The North fired an unknown number of projectiles from the coastal town of Wonsan in Gangwon province early Wednesday, South Korea’s military said in a statement. Japanese officials described the projectile as … continue reading -> “North Korea Agrees to Hold Talks, Launches Projectile”
At the edge of an ancient lava flow where jagged black rocks meet the Pacific, small off-the-grid homes overlook the calm blue waters of Papa Bay on Hawaii’s Big Island — no tourists or hotels in sight. Here, one of the islands’ most abundant and vibrant coral reefs thrives just below the surface. Yet … continue reading -> “Coral Die-Off Predicted as Marine Heat Wave Engulfs Hawaii”
U.S. President Donald Trump and some who want him impeached are trading accusations of “treason” and threats to national security amid warnings from analysts that such language could fuel irreparable harm to the nation’s civil and political fabric. “While talk about treason and potential armed insurrection might score political points for one side or … continue reading -> “Inflammatory Impeachment Rhetoric Threatens Irreparable Divide”
Japan’s national sales tax was raised to 10% from 8% on Tuesday, amid concerns that the long-delayed move could derail the fragile growth path of the world’s third largest economy. Officials said ample measures were taken to cushion the impact of the hike after previous tax increases – a 2-point increase to 5% in 1997 … continue reading -> “Japan Raises Sales Tax to 10% Amid Signs Economy Weakening”
Thousands of Vietnam’s ethnic Cham people met under rainy late September skies for their annual “Kate” festival that, according to the multi-faith community’s calendar, marks the end of one harvest season and the beginning of another. The Cham are descendants of a powerful ancient kingdom that once spanned large parts of central and southern Vietnam … continue reading -> “In Vietnam, Men Parade But Women Rule at Festival Called ‘Kate’”
The U.S. Secretary of Interior has extended the tenure of the Trump administration’s top steward of public lands, rebuffing Democrats’ calls for his termination. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt on Monday extended William Perry Pendley’s role as Bureau of Land Management Acting Director to Jan. 3. Pendley has been in the post since July. Senate Democrats, … continue reading -> “Trump’s Land Boss to Stay After Democrats Sought His Ouster”
The winds are blowing fair for America’s wind power industry, making it one of the fastest-growing U.S. energy sources. Land-based turbines are rising by the thousands across America, from the remote Texas plains to farm towns of Iowa. And the U.S. wind boom now is expanding offshore, with big corporations planning $70 billion in investment … continue reading -> “President’s Windmill Hatred is a Worry for Booming Industry”
The main rival of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, is claiming victory in Afghanistan’s presidential election, ahead of the release of any official results. Abdullah told reporters Monday that he has “the most votes” in the election that was held Saturday. Election officials however said that Abdullah’s declaration is premature as official … continue reading -> “Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Claims Victory in Presidential Election”
Days ahead of the anniversary of the grisly slaying of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that his country will press ahead with efforts to shed light on the killing. In a Washington Post op-ed, Erdogan described the journalist’s killing by a Saudi hit squad as “arguably the most influential … continue reading -> “Turkey Vows to Keep Investigating Jamal Khashoggi’s Killing”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied wrongdoing Sunday over his links to an American businesswoman who allegedly received money and favorable treatment because of their friendship during his time as mayor of London. Asked during a BBC interview about his ties to tech entrepreneur and model Jennifer Arcuri, Johnson sought to suggest that political motivations … continue reading -> “UK’s Johnson Denies any Wrongdoing in Ties With US Tech Exec”