Feed aggregator

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

BRUSSELS — European Union lawmakers approved Wednesday a major revamp of the bloc's migration laws aimed at ending years of division over how to manage the entry of thousands of people without authorization and depriving the far right of a vote-winning campaign issue ahead of June elections. The members of the European Parliament voted on the so-called Pact on Migration and Asylum, regulations and policies meant to help address the thorny issue of who should take responsibility for migrants when they arrive and whether other EU countries should be obliged to help. The proceedings were briefly interrupted by a small but noisy group of demonstrators in the public gallery who wore shirts marked "this pact kills" and shouted "vote no!" The 27 EU member countries must now endorse the reform package, possibly in a vote in late April, before it can enter force. The plan was drawn up after 1.3 million people, mostly those fleeing war in Syria and Iraq, sought refuge in Europe in 2015. The EU's asylum system collapsed, reception centers were overwhelmed in Greece and Italy, and countries further north built barriers to stop people entering. But few have admitted to being happy with the new policy response to one of Europe's biggest political crises, and even the lawmakers who drafted parts of the new regulations are unwilling to support the entire reform package. "I'm not going to open a bottle of champagne after this," Dutch lawmaker Sophie i'nt Veld, who drew up the assembly's position on migrant reception conditions, told reporters on the eve of the plenary session in Brussels. She said she planned to abstain from some of the votes. In't Veld described the pact as "the bare minimum" in terms of a policy response, but she does not want to torpedo it by voting against. "We will not have another opportunity to come to an agreement," she said. Swedish parliamentarian Malin Bjork, who worked on refugee resettlement, said that the pact does not respond to "any of the questions it was set to solve." She said the reform package "undermines the individual right to seek asylum" in Europe because it would build on plans that some EU countries already have to process migrants abroad. Italy has concluded one such deal with Albania. "We cannot have a situation where people systematically, in their thousands, die on their way seeking protection and refuge in Europe," Bjork told reporters. The new rules include controversial measures: facial images and fingerprints could be taken from children from the age of 6, and people may be detained during screening. Fast-track deportation could be used on those not permitted to stay. "The pact will lead to more detention and de facto detention at the EU's external borders, including for families with children, which is in clear violation of international law," said Marta Gionco from Picum, a network of migrant rights defense organizations. Mainstream political parties want to secure agreement on the pact ahead of Europe-wide elections on June 6-9. Migration is likely to be a campaign issue, and they believe the new reforms address concerns about an issue that has been a consistent vote-winner for far-right parties.

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump faces multiple criminal charges in a hush money payment case in New York City. After several attempts by the former president's lawyers to delay the trial, it is scheduled to begin April 15. Aron Ranen reports.

WASHINGTON — The United States restricted trade with five companies on Wednesday that it said help produce and procure drones for use by Russia in Ukraine and by Iran-backed Houthis in Red Sea shipping attacks.  The companies from Russia and China were among 11 additions to the Commerce Department's Entity List, which means suppliers need licenses before shipping goods and technology to them.  Russia has intensified its drone and missile strikes against Ukrainian energy facilities in recent weeks, causing significant damage and threatening a repeat of the blackouts experienced in the first year after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.  The Commerce Department added a Chinese entity, Jiangxi Xintuo Enterprise Company, for supporting Russia's military through the procurement, development and proliferation of Russian drones, it said. Shenzhen Jiasibo Technology Company of China was cited for being part of a network procuring aerospace components, including drone applications, for an aircraft company in Iran. Three Russian entities — Aerosila JSC SPE, Delta-Aero LLC, and JSC ODK-Star — were added for being part of the network.  "These components are used to develop and produce Shahed-series UAVs which have been used by Iran to attack oil tankers in the Middle East and by Russia in Ukraine," the Federal Register notice said, referring to unmanned aerial vehicles.  Attacks on ships, including oil tankers, by Iranian-backed Houthis have disrupted global shipping through the Red Sea. Yemen's Houthi militia say they are retaliating against Israel's war against Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza.  Companies are added to the U.S. Entity List when Washington deems them a threat to U.S. national security or foreign policy. Suppliers must then be granted licenses, which are likely to be denied, before shipping goods to entities on the list.  The two United Arab Emirates citations, Khalaj Trading LLC and Mahdi Khalaj Amirhosseini, were added for apparently violating Iran sanctions by exporting or trying to export items from the United States to Iran through UAE, according to the posting.  Four Chinese entities were cited for acquiring U.S. items to support China's military modernization efforts, it said. They are LINKZOL (Beijing) Technology Company, Xi’an Like Innovative Information Technology Company, Beijing Anwise Technology Company and Sitonholy (Tianjin) Company.  U.S.-Chinese military contacts resumed late last year, but tensions continue due to fundamental differences over Taiwan and the South China Sea that remain dangerous potential flashpoints.   Chinese leader Xi Jinping has pumped billions into buying and developing equipment as part of his modernizing efforts to build a "world-class" military by 2050, with Beijing's outsized defense budget growing at a faster pace than the economy for some years. 

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

Islamabad, Pakistan — The Taliban’s reclusive supreme leader ruled out any compromise Wednesday on his hardline Islamic governance in Afghanistan despite persistent global criticism and calls for him to end sweeping restrictions on women. Hibatullah Akundzada addressed and led thousands of worshipers in Eid al-Fitr prayers at the central mosque in the southern city of Kandahar to mark the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. “If anyone has any issues with us, we are open to resolving them, but we will never compromise on our principles or Islam. At the same time, we expect that Islam will not be disrespected,” stated Akhundzada in his defiant Pashto-language speech aired by the state-run Afghan radio station.  "I will not take even a step away from the Islamic law." Akundzada was apparently responding to sustained criticism by the United Nations and Western countries of the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islam being used to govern impoverished Afghanistan, including the public flogging and stoning of women for committing adultery. “I am administering God's Hudud. They object to it, saying public stoning and hand-cutting are against their laws and human rights. You expect us to follow your laws while imposing them on us,” Akhundzada said. “Islam is a divine religion that deserves respect, but you insult it instead,” he added. According to the Islamic religion, Hudud is the set of laws and punishments specified by god in the Quran, the Muslim holy book. Akhundzada said countries that participated in the United States-led military invasion of Afghanistan were still targeting his country with “propaganda” and "evil tactics” to malign Taliban rule. “They blame your leaders, claiming they are incapable of governing the country. Don’t let these infidels mislead you,” he said. “Stay vigilant and be mindful of their deceitful tactics. Their ultimate goal is to see us fail.” The Taliban leader has suspended girls' education in Afghanistan beyond the sixth grade and prohibited many women from public and private workplaces, including the United Nations and other aid organizations. Women are also forbidden from visiting public places such as parks, gyms, and bathhouses. Akhundzada has defended his decrees, saying they are aligned with Afghan culture and Islam. The Taliban returned to power in August 2021, when the then-internationally backed Afghan government collapsed, and U.S.-led Western nations withdrew all their troops after nearly 20 years of involvement in the war with the then-insurgent Taliban. De facto Afghan authorities have since publicly flogged hundreds of men and women in sports stadiums in the presence of thousands of onlookers. The victims were convicted of offenses such as theft, robbery, adultery and other “moral crimes” by Taliban courts. There is only one publicly available photograph of Akhundzada that the Taliban have officially used ever since he took command of the then-insurgent group in 2016. Media representatives are not allowed to attend his public engagements, and even his followers are strictly forbidden from taking photos or filming him on their cell phones. The Taliban leader rarely leaves Kandahar and rules the country from there. The international community has not granted formal recognition to the men-only Taliban government, citing human rights concerns, especially the harsh treatment of Afghan women. Many Muslim-majority countries have also opposed the Taliban restrictions on women, saying that they are not based on Islamic principles. 

While a train did collapse in western Russia on April 8, footage being widely shared on X is from a 2018 incident.

YAOUNDE, CAMEROON — In Gabon, Christians joined Muslims this week to pray for peace as the country holds a month-long “national dialogue” intended to pave the way for military leaders to transfer power to a civilian government. Clerics say that among the approximately 700 civilians who attended this year’s Eid al-Fitr prayers Wednesday at the Central Mosque in Gabon's capital, Libreville, were scores of Christians. The Eid al-Fitr prayers marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan.  Tidjani Babagana, grand imam of Muslims in Gabon, told Gabon's state TV that during prayers he launched an appeal for reconciliation, peace, temperance and internal harmony among citizens who are looking forward to changes at the helm of the government. He also reminded civilians who are waiting for the government to improve their living conditions that it is a prescription in the Holy Quran to respect state authority.  Babagana said both Muslims and Christians should celebrate Eid al-Fitr as a sign of fraternity, interreligious tolerance and living together in peace, despite the challenges Gabon is facing.  The faithful who gathered for prayers say the country has suffered a crime wave — including theft, assault and highway robbery — since transitional president General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema ordered the release of over 500 prisoners in late March.   The general seized power from President Ali Bongo in a bloodless coup last August. Nguema said he took control to improve living conditions in the oil-producing nation because its citizens remained poor during the 56 years of leadership by Ali Bongo and his father, Omar Bongo.  Gabon's Civil Society Group says the central African state now faces the challenges of a transition to civilian rule. A transitional charter introduced by the general last November bars all members of the current government from becoming candidates in presidential elections, with the exception of Nguema.  This month, Nguema launched what is billed as an Inclusive National Dialogue, which he said will prepare an economic blueprint and a calendar to organize elections that will hand power to civilians.  Bruno Nguema Ela, the president of Gabon's citizens in the diaspora, took part in Eid al-Fitr prayers. He said opposition and civil society want Nguema to reassure civilians that he will not hang on to power.  Ela said Gabon's diaspora is happy with efforts by Nguema to stop the Bongo dynasty from maintaining its grip on power, and added that the transitional government should make sure it hands power to civilians so Gabon does not sink into social unrest and political crisis.  Firman Maurice Nguema, one of the spokespersons with the commission that will lead discussions in Gabon's national dialogue, said General Nguema is committed to providing Gabon with functioning state institutions before handing power to constitutional order. He said Nguema wants Gabon to be a peaceful country where democratic choices and rights and liberties of civilians are respected.  The transitional government says Christians joined Muslims in feasts across the central African state this week. Muslim clerics say that nationwide, prayers were for peace and a return to constitutional order without chaos. 

DENVER, COLORADO — Politicians and news outlets in Colorado expressed anger over the expulsion from a Republican gathering this past weekend of an experienced politics reporter who was told that the state party chairman "believes current reporting to be very unfair."  Journalists and prominent politicians, including the former chair of the Colorado Republican Party, came to the defense of Colorado Sun reporter Sandra Fish and against current state Republican Chairman Dave Williams, who said he had "no apologies" for ejecting Fish.  The controversy follows the contours of attacks on the press nationally, partly brought on by former President Donald Trump with the popularization of the term "fake news." The ejection also appears to have influenced an endorsement Monday in the Republican primary race.  The state Republican Party announced on the social media platform X that it was endorsing U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert over one of her primary opponent, Deborah Flora, in the state's 4th Congressional District race, partly because "Deb Flora lied about participating in the CD4 Assembly process, & now she's boot licking fake journalists who only help Democrats."  The post was a direct reply to Flora's post on X defending Fish, in which Flora said the expulsion was "wrong and a violation of the First Amendment."  The chair, who introduces himself on the party’s website as "Dave 'Let's Go Brandon' Williams," is seeking the nomination to run for the 5th District seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, who is retiring from Congress.  In a text, Williams said he had no apologies for kicking Fish out of the assembly in Pueblo on Saturday and accused her of being a "fake journalist" and The Colorado Sun of being biased. When asked by text for examples, Williams did not respond. The Colorado Sun is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan news outlet that covers Colorado.  "I invite anyone to share any example of The Colorado Sun or Sandra Fish being unfair or inaccurate. So far I have heard nothing," said Larry Ryckman, editor of the news outlet. "The Founding Fathers weren't any big fans of newspapers back in the day. But they understood that a healthy democracy demands free, unfettered press."  The assembly, held about two hours south of Denver, was partly to select representatives to the Republican National Committee and to work on a party platform for the election.  "There are 900,000 Republicans in the state of Colorado and a lot of unaffiliated voters who are interested in what happens at this assembly. And how they find out is via reporters like me being there to cover it," Fish told The Associated Press by phone Monday.  "I am, as one person on Twitter noted, a little old lady and I've been in this business for a long time, and I just don't think it's right to eject a reporter from a meeting like this," said Fish, who has covered politics since 1982.  Fish said she heard rumors prior to the event that she'd be barred from attending, and she asked event organizer, Eric Grossman, who texted her Thursday that he'd get back to her.  "Thanks. I've been covering these assemblies for at least seven cycles and have never had issues before," Fish texted back. Ryckman attempted to reach Williams on Thursday night to discuss but said Williams never responded.  Before dawn on Saturday, Grossman texted Fish saying she wouldn't be included on the press list and that "the state chairman believes current reporting to be very unfair."  "I went anyway because, come on, this should be an open event," said Fish, who was checked in and given press credentials that she wore around her neck along with a Colorado Sun nametag.  About an hour later, security asked her to leave. Fish showed her press credentials, then Grossman arrived and soon a sheriff's deputy was called. Fish left with the deputy.  "We make no apologies for kicking out a fake journalist, who actually snuck into our event," Williams said in a text. "Her publication is just an extension of the Democrat Party's PR efforts, and the only backlash we see is from the fake news media, radical Democrats, and establishment RINOs who hate our conservative base."  Grossman, in a text, said Fish's actions were "a selfish political stunt."  Republican state Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer defended the reporter, writing in a post on X: "Sandra Fish is a fair; honest and respected reporter, as a Republican I'm embarrassed by the GOP chair."  Former Colorado Republican Party chair Kristi Burton Brown also chimed in on X, describing Fish as "hard-hitting but fair. ... This is a dangerous take by the current (Colorado GOP). ... Transparency is necessary for our nation."  Among other stories, Fish has reported on how the Colorado Republican Party under Williams' leadership paid for mailers that subtly attacked one of Williams' primary opponents, and that fundraising slowed under his chairmanship. 

Istanbul — Muslims around the world celebrated the Eid al-Fitr holiday Wednesday, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. But events were overshadowed by the worsening crisis in Gaza and Israel's expected military offensive in Rafah city after six months of war. "We should not forget our brothers and sisters in Palestine," imam Abdulrahman Musa said in Kenya's capital, Nairobi. "They have been subjected to unjustified aggression and a lot of violence (as) the world is watching in silence." In a holiday message, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent support to Gaza, which he called a "bleeding wound on the conscience of humanity." In Istanbul, thousands of worshipers gathered at the Aya Sofya Mosque for prayers, some carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans in support of people in Gaza, where the United Nations and partners warn that more than a million people are at threat of imminent famine and little aid is allowed in. Elsewhere, people were grateful for the plenty they had after a month of fasting and reflection. Before the Eid al-Fitr holiday, markets around the world teemed with shoppers. Residents poured out of cities to return to villages to celebrate with loved ones. In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, nearly three-quarters of the population were traveling for the annual homecoming known locally as "mudik." "This is a right moment to reconnect, like recharging energy that has been drained almost a year away from home," said civil servant Ridho Alfian, who lives in the Jakarta area and was traveling to Lampung province at the southern tip of Sumatra island. For Arini Dewi, Eid al-Fitr is a day of victory from economic difficulties during Ramadan. "I'm happy in celebrating Eid holiday despite the surge of food prices," said the mother of two. Jakarta's Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, was flooded with devotees offering morning prayers. Preachers in their sermons called on people to pray for Muslims in Gaza who were suffering after six months of war. "This is the time for Muslims and non-Muslims to show humanitarian solidarity, because the conflict in Gaza is not a religious war, but a humanitarian problem," said Jimly Asshiddiqie, who chairs the advisory board of the Indonesian Mosque Council. In Berlin, worshipers reflected the world, coming from Benin, Ghana, Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey. "It's a day where we feel grateful for everything we have here, and think and give to those who are poor, facing war and have to go hungry," said Azhra Ahmad, a 45-year-old mother of five. In Pakistan, authorities deployed more than 100,000 police and paramilitary forces to maintain security at mosques and marketplaces. In Malaysia, ethnic Malay Muslims performed morning prayers at mosques nationwide just weeks after socks printed with the word "Allah" at a convenience store chain sparked a furor. Many found it offensive to associate the word with feet or for it to be used inappropriately. Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for unity and reconciliation in his message on the eve of Eid, saying no groups should be sidelined based on religion or any other reason. "We must be firm, resolute and unwavering in our commitment to foster values and build a dignified nation," he said. "However, let us not take this as a license or opportunity to insult, undermine, or damage the cultural practices and way of life of others."

New York — Former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg was sentenced on Wednesday to five months in jail after pleading guilty last month to perjury charges for lying to investigators and a judge about Donald Trump's finances. Judge Laurie Peterson handed down the sentence at a hearing in Manhattan criminal court. The sentence was in line with the punishment the judge said she would impose at Weisselberg's March 4 plea hearing.   Court officers led Weisselberg out of the courtroom in handcuffs following a brief hearing.  The sentence marks the second stint behind bars for the former U.S. president's longtime loyal deputy.   Weisselberg, 76, spent around three months in New York's Rikers Island jail in 2023 after pleading guilty to participating in a 15-year tax fraud scheme at the Trump Organization.  The perjury charges stem from Weisselberg's testimony at a civil fraud case New York state Attorney General Letitia James brought against Trump, Weisselberg and other executives at Trump's family real estate company for manipulating property values to dupe lenders and insurers.  Weisselberg testified at the trial on Oct. 10 that he was not involved in an incorrect valuation of Trump's Manhattan townhouse. Trump's 2015 and 2016 financial statements valued the unit at $327 million based on its stated size of more than 30,000 square feet, nearly three times the actual size.  Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, which brought the charges against Weisselberg, said the former CFO's emails showed he was in fact paying close attention to the apartment.   Weisselberg also admitted to lying about his role in Trump's financial statements during two earlier depositions with James' office. James' investigation culminated in a $454 million penalty imposed on Trump for fraudulently valuing properties. Trump is appealing the order by Justice Arthur Engoron.   Engoron also ordered Weisselberg to pay $1.1 million including interest.  Weisselberg worked for the former president's family for half a century. His written plea agreement did not indicate if he would be cooperating with Bragg's office.  Trump is set to go on trial starting on Monday on criminal charges of covering up $130,000 in hush money his former lawyer Michael Cohen paid porn star Stormy Daniels for her silence before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she says she had with Trump in 2006.  Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records and denies any such encounter with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.  The case, also brought by Bragg, is poised to be the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president. Trump also faces three other indictments, which stem from his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and his handling of sensitive government documents. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. 

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

Give us 5 minutes, and we'll give you the world. Around the clock, Voice of America keeps you in touch with the latest news. We bring you reports from our correspondents and interviews with newsmakers from across the world.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to add the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) definition of “science or art” for Schedule A, Group II cases.