Beirut — At a shop nestled in a busy, crowded Beirut district, Hasan El-Makary is weighing out containers of warm, fragrant mufataka, a traditional sweet in the Lebanese capital that is rarely found in stores. “I’ve been in this shop for 50 years, but we started specializing in mufataka 30 years ago,” Makary said from the humble shop with its aging decor and low ceiling. A …
Shooting attack at the West Bank-Jordan border crossing kills 3 Israelis
ALLENBY CROSSING, West Bank — Three Israelis were shot and killed Sunday at the border crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, Israeli officials said, in what appeared to be an attack linked to the 11-month-old war in Gaza. The military said the gunman approached the Allenby Bridge Crossing from the Jordanian side in a truck and opened fire at Israeli security forces, who killed the …
Typhoon Yagi weakens after killing dozens in Vietnam, China, Philippines
HANOI, Vietnam — Typhoon Yagi, Asia’s most powerful storm this year, was downgraded to a tropical depression on Sunday, after wreaking havoc in northern Vietnam, China’s Hainan and the Philippines, claiming dozens of lives, according to preliminary reports. Vietnam’s meteorological agency issued the downgrade on Sunday but cautioned about the ongoing risk of flooding and landslides as the storm, the strongest to hit the country in …
Pope Francis delivers medical supplies in visit to remote jungle town
VANIMO, Papua New Guinea — Pope Francis flew deep into the jungle of the Southwestern Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea on Sunday to visit Catholics living in one of the most remote areas of the world and deliver medical supplies and other aid. Traveling 1,000 kilometers in a C-130 cargo aircraft provided by the Royal Australian Air Force, Francis arrived with a small entourage …
Pope brings humanitarian aid to Papua New Guinea as he celebrates periphery
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — Pope Francis honored the Catholic Church of the peripheries on Sunday as he celebrated Mass in Papua New Guinea before heading to a remote part of the South Pacific nation with a ton of humanitarian aid to deliver to the missionaries and faithful who live there. An estimated 35,000 people filled the stadium in the capital, Port Moresby, for the …
Ukraine voices concern at reports of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia
KYIV, UKRAINE — Ukraine’s foreign ministry said Saturday it was deeply concerned by reports about a possible impending transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia. In a statement emailed to reporters, the ministry said the deepening military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow was a threat to Ukraine, Europe and the Middle East, and called on the international community to increase pressure on Iran and Russia. CNN …
Back in business: Bookstore forced to close in China reopens in Washington
Six years after Jifeng Bookstore was forced to close its doors in Shanghai, the shop has reopened in Washington to bring debate and literature to a new audience. Liam Scott has the story for VOA News. Videographer: Yi Ruokun …
China stops short of African debt relief at triennial summit
NAIROBI, KENYA/BEIJING — China stopped short of providing the debt relief sought by many African countries this week, but pledged $50.7 billion over three years in credit lines and investments. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, or FOCAC, launched in 2000 took on an enhanced role after the 2013 inception of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to recreate the ancient Silk Road for …
Visiting Papua New Guinea, pope says natural resources must benefit all
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea — Pope Francis visited Papua New Guinea Saturday, where he called for vast natural resources to benefit the “entire community” — a politically charged demand in a nation where many believe their riches are being stolen or squandered. Addressing political and business leaders, the 87-year-old pontiff hailed his hosts as being rich in culture and in natural resources — a nod …
Super Typhoon Yagi head to Vietnam, 2 reported dead in China’s Hainan
Beijing — Super Typhoon Yagi, Asia’s most powerful storm this year, churned toward the northern coast of Vietnam on Saturday after tearing through China’s southern island province of Hainan and leaving two people dead. The lightning, rain and violent winds that hit Hainan also caused 92 to be injured, Chinese state media said on Saturday, citing local authorities. Yagi made landfall in Hainan on Friday, packing …
China’s new pledges reflect concern over its competition in Africa
Johannesburg — After pledging $51 billion in financial support for Africa over the next three years and positioning China as a fellow developing country in contrast to the West’s colonialist past, President Xi Jinping told dozens of African leaders gathered in Beijing this week that “the China-Africa relationship is now at its best in history.” This year’s Forum on Africa-China Cooperation, held every three years, was …
A million people flee as Typhoon Yagi makes landfall in China
HONG KONG — A powerful typhoon made landfall on the Chinese tropical vacation island of Hainan Friday after it swept south of Hong Kong, bringing many aspects of life in the region to a halt and forcing about a million people in the country’s south to leave their homes. The Hainan province’s meteorological service said Yagi — earlier packing winds of up to about 245 kph …
Australia to boost military cooperation with Japan
Sydney — Australia, Japan, and the United States are expanding defense cooperation. Analysts say the moves are a response to China’s growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. Senior Australian and Japanese officials Thursday met for the 11th Australia-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultation in the state of Victoria. Australia’s deputy prime minister and minister for defense, Richard Marles, told reporters that plans were agreed …
China pushes smaller, smarter loans to Africa to shield from risks
Beijing — China’s years of splashing cash on big-ticket infrastructure projects in Africa may be over, analysts say, with Beijing seeking to shield itself from risky, indebted partners on the continent as it grapples with a slowing economy at home. Beijing for years dished out billions in loans for trains, roads and bridges in Africa that saddled participating governments with debts they often struggled to pay …
Hamas urges US pressure on Israel over Gaza truce
Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories — Hamas called on the United States Thursday to “exert real pressure” on Israel to reach a Gaza cease-fire agreement as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was no deal in the making. The two sides have traded blame over stalling talks for a cease-fire and hostage exchange as Netanyahu faces pressure to seal a deal following the deaths of six Gaza …
Israeli forces appear to withdraw from West Bank camp after major operation
JENIN REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank — Israeli forces appeared Friday to have withdrawn from the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, after a more-than weeklong military operation that has left dozens dead and a trail of destruction. Overnight, Israeli armored personnel carriers were seen leaving the camp from a checkpoint set up on one of the main roads, and an Associated Press reporter inside …
China, US at odds over war-torn Myanmar’s future as geopolitical tensions rise
washington — China recently warned against what it described as “external interference” in Myanmar, a country increasingly caught in the crossfire of escalating geopolitical rivalry between Beijing and Washington. This warning came as the United States has been deepening its engagement with Myanmar’s pro-democracy forces, raising concerns in Beijing, where experts suggest there is deep skepticism about Washington’s intentions in Myanmar. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi …