India Protesters Throw Stones at Paramilitary Force Bunker in Kashmir
A group of unidentified protesters pelted stones at a bunker of India's paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force in Indian Kashmir's main city of Srinagar, Tuesday, August 20, in a show of anger towards the federal government's move to strip the Himalayan region of its autonomy. On Tuesday, less than a dozen youth were seen throwing stones at paramilitary police deployed in Srinagar.
Crowds have demonstrated frequently in the city despite a severe clampdown on phone and internet services, a ban on public gatherings and detention of hundreds of political leaders and separatists who have long campaigned for secession from India.
India revoked the special status of its portion of Himalayan Kashmir, known as Jammu and Kashmir, August 5, and moved to quell widespread unrest by shutting down communications and clamping down on freedom of movement. (Reuters)
August 20, 2019
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Intelligent Threat-Sensing Building on Horizon
Back-to-back U.S. mass shootings have re-ignited passionate debates about gun control. But there are other efforts underway to protect people from gun violence -- like the creation of an intelligent building designed to handle an active shooter situation. Researchers at the University of Southern California are using virtual reality to design buildings that can protect its occupants. Elizabeth Lee reports. WARNING: This story contains graphic video that some viewers may find disturbing.
Originally published at - https://morigin.voanews.eu/a/intelligent-threat-sensing-building-on-horizon/5050151.html
August 20, 2019
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YALI Fellows Share Dreams of a Better Africa
This year, 700 leaders from sub-Saharan Africa participated in the Young African Leaders Initiative, or YALI fellowship, across the U.S. Launched in 2014, YALI’s flagship program – the Mandela Washington Fellowship -- is funded by the U.S. Department of State. The program brings young African leaders who excel in business, public management, or civic engagement to the U.S. Sahar Majid has more about the program and the YALI fellows in this report narrated by Kathleen Struck.
Originally published at - https://morigin.voanews.eu/a/yali-fellows-share-dreams-of-a-better-africa/5050114.html
August 20, 2019
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Trump Says U.S. Not Supposed to be "Police Force" In Afghanistan
U.S. President Donald Trump talked about foreign policies with Afghanistan while meeting with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in the Oval Office. (AFP)
"Good discussions" are under way about Afghanistan, including between the United States and the Taliban, President Donald Trump said Tuesday. But he cautioned a U.S. troop withdrawal agreement might not be realized.
"I don't know whether or not the plan is going to be acceptable to me, and maybe it's not going to be acceptable to them," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office alongside Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.
Trump made his remarks shortly after the State Department announced that its special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalizad, is traveling to Doha on Tuesday to resume talks with the Taliban on a peace agreement aimed at ending the 18-year conflict in the country.
https://www.voanews.com/usa/trump-deal-taliban-us-troop-withdrawal-might-not-be-acceptable
August 20, 2019
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Boat Stranded 19 Days Outside Italy Celebrates Approval to Come Ashore
People celebrated aboard the Open Arms’ charity rescue ship, Tuesday, August 20, after an Italian prosecutor ordered the seizure of the ship. The vessel has been stranded at sea near Lampedusa island for the past 19 days. Nearly 100 migrants on the ship are expected to be removed from the boat tonight. The charity group has repeatedly asked to bring the migrants ashore but was rebuffed due to an Italian ban on private rescue ships.
August 20, 2019
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At Least 4 People Detained as Kurds Protest Ousting of Mayors in Turkey
At least four people were detained during protests in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, August 20. Protesters took to the streets against the ousting of three Kurdish mayors, forcing police to intervene.
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READ MORE: Turkish authorities have expelled the mayors of the three main cities in the predominantly Kurdish southeast, provoking protests and political condemnation. Their expulsion comes as Turkish forces are poised to launch a military operation against Syrian Kurdish militants.
The pro-Kurdish HDP mayors in Van, Mardin, and Diyarbakir, were replaced by state-appointed trustees Monday. The ruling AKP accuses the mayors of supporting the Kurdish insurgent group the PKK, an allegation the HDP denies.
The Turkish Interior Ministry said the personnel action was part of a terrorism investigation.
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LINK: https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/key-kurdish-mayors-expelled-turkeys-erdogan-increases-pressure-pro-kurdish-movement
August 20, 2019
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Police in Turkey Blast Water Cannons on Protesters
Turkish police used water cannons to disperse protesters in Diyarbakir, in Turkey's Kurdish dominated southeast, Monday, August 19.
Turkish authorities have expelled the mayors of the three main cities in a predominantly Kurdish area, provoking protests and political condemnation. Their expulsion comes as Turkish forces are poised to launch a military operation against Syrian Kurdish militants.
The pro-Kurdish HDP mayors in Van, Mardin and Diyarbakir, were replaced by state-appointed trustees Monday. The ruling AKP accuses the mayors of supporting the Kurdish insurgent group the PKK, an allegation the HDP denies.
The Turkish Interior Ministry said the personnel action was part of a terrorism investigation.
More than 400 people were detained Monday in a nationwide operation against the outlawed PKK, which Turkey, the European Union and United States have designated as a terrorist organization.
Protests erupted in all three cities as news spread about their expulsion. Security forces using tear gas and water cannons quickly quelled the unrest. Anger over their dismissals also led to demonstrations in other towns and cities.
Ankara strongly defended the mayors' removals.
https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/key-kurdish-mayors-expelled-turkeys-erdogan-increases-pressure-pro-kurdish-movement
August 20, 2019
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Trump Offers to Mediate "Complicated" Kashmir Standoff
U.S. President Donald Trump talked about the “complicated situation” regarding Kashmir, during a meeting with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. "I think we're helping the situation, but there's tremendous problems between those two countries as you know, and I will do the best I can to mediate," he told reporters at the White House. (AFP)
August 20, 2019
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Trump Welcomes Romanian President to the White House
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Romanian President Klaus Iohannis to the White House, Tuesday, August 20.
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump said his administration was looking to cut U.S. payroll taxes, but he was not talking about doing anything at this moment.
Trump added that he was always looking at a payroll tax cut, and that a lot of people would like to see it. The Washington Post has reported the administration is considering a temporary tax cut to boost the U.S. economy. (Reuters)
August 20, 2019
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Sudan Opposition Members Demand Transparency From Their Own Leaders
New protests have broken out in Sudan's capital -- but this time, outside the Sudanese Professionals Association, a labor union which played a central role in negotiating the new power-sharing deal between the military and opposition. Some opposition members say they are unhappy with a lack of transparency from the SPA. From Khartoum, VOA's Esha Sarai has more.
Originally published at - https://morigin.voanews.eu/a/sudan-opposition-members-demand-transparency-from-their-own-leaders/5049619.html
August 20, 2019
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Families Bury Victims of Afghan Wedding Blast
Families of the victims of a suicide blast at a wedding in Kabul, Afghanistan, laid their loved-ones to rest Sunday, August 18.
A suicide bomber killed 63 people and wounded 182 in an attack on a packed wedding reception in the Afghan capital on Saturday night, the interior ministry said.
The attack came as the Taliban and the United States are trying to negotiate an agreement on the withdrawal of U.S. forces in exchange for a Taliban commitment on security and peace talks with Afghanistan's U.S.-backed government.
The victims of the overnight suicide bombing at the packed wedding hall were mostly members of the minority Shi’ite Hazara community.
A wedding guest told the French news agency AFP that the bride and groom were saying their vows when the bomb exploded.
https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/afghan-president-vows-eliminate-safe-havens-after-wedding-attack
August 20, 2019
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Nigerian Government Ban on Imported Furniture Boosts Local Industry
Cane weaving is a Nigerian art that is decades-old but the demand for imported furniture in the country has hurt the business, and many involved in the craft are struggling to make a living. However, a government ban on furniture imports is boosting sales of locally made cane furniture. Timothy Obiezu spoke with a few cane weavers in Abuja.
Originally published at - https://morigin.voanews.eu/a/nigerian-government-ban-on-imported-furniture-boosts-local-industry/5049453.html
August 20, 2019
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Winds Send Mattresses Flying at U.S. Open Air Cinema
Dozens of air mattresses cartwheeled their way across a U.S. park in Denver, Colorado, Saturday, August 17, after strong winds whipped through the neighborhood.
Eyewitness Robb Manes, told local media he was at the public pool when the wind kicked in and the mattresses started to roll across the lawn.
According to local reports, the mattresses had been set out for an event called 'The Bed Cinema' later that day, where cinema goers could reserve an air mattress to watch a film in the open air. (Reuters)
August 20, 2019
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Hijacked Bus Standoff on Brazil's Rio Bridge
A gunman holding a busload of passengers hostage in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, August 20, was shot dead by police, officials said, ending the hours-long hijacking. At least six people were freed. Around 31 people had remained on the bus throughout the terrifying ordeal. (AFP)
August 20, 2019
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A Dazzling Display of Glass Artistry in Seattle
Seattle is home to giant multinational companies such as Microsoft and Amazon. But it's also the home of glass art in the United States. The Chihuly Glass Museum is home to thousands of glass artworks by artist Dale Chihuly. Valdya Baraputri from VOA's Indonesian Service reports.
Originally published at - https://morigin.voanews.eu/a/5049089.html
August 20, 2019
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Kenya’s First Albino Football Team Scores a Win
Growing up with albinism 24-year-old Allan Herbert, a Kenyan journalism graduate knew he was different. While he did not face the stigma and discrimination that other albinos in his country suffer, he did have to take precautions. Despite this, he formed a football team made up of albino players as a way for people with his condition fight for their space in Kenya. And his team won its debut match on Saturday, as Sarah Kimani reports from Nairobi.
Originally published at - https://morigin.voanews.eu/a/5049114.html
August 20, 2019
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Russia's Putin Marks 20 Year Anniversary in Power
Russian President Vladimir Putin is marking his 20th year in power this August, a period divided between his first presidency from 1999 to 2008, then holding the position of prime minister for four years before becoming president again in 2012. This 20th anniversary comes as the Russian economy is stagnating and experts say the Russian leader is trying to offset this making major investments in the military to keep his ratings up ahead of the 2024 elections. Yulia Savchenko has more from Moscow.
Originally published at - https://morigin.voanews.eu/a/5049107.html
August 20, 2019
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More Bombings in Afghan Monday Amid Backdrop of US Withdrawal Negotiations with Taliban
The Trump administration is continuing talks with the Taliban on a peace deal in Afghanistan despite another wave of terrorist violence these past few days. A deadly bomb blast killed more than 60 people at a wedding Saturday and more bombings injured scores Monday in eastern Afghanistan as the country celebrated its 100th anniversary of independence from British rule. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi has more.
Originally published at - https://morigin.voanews.eu/a/5048649.html
August 20, 2019
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Delhi's Restrictions Turn Srinagar Into Ghost City
The streets of Srinagar were largely deserted on Monday and most schools and shops were closed even though authorities say they were re-opening close to 200 elementary schools in Kashmir's largest city. Residents are angered over the Indian government's decision to downgrade the status of the Indian-administered side - Jammu and Kashmir - from a federal state and split into two union territories. Video footage by VOA's Urdu service shows Srinagar as a ghost city. VOA's Zlatica Hoke reports.
Originally published at - https://morigin.voanews.eu/a/5049080.html
August 20, 2019
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Startup Ideas, Courtesy of Government Labs: One Firm Connects Entrepreneurs With New Technology
Every day, cutting-edge research is being performed in government and university labs across the country. Tech transfer is the process of taking that research out of the lab and transforming it into a business. One company jump-starts the process by introducing entrepreneurs to that research. Tina Trinh explains.
Originally published at - https://morigin.voanews.eu/a/startup-ideas-courtesy-of-government-labs-one-firm-connects-entrepreneurs-with-new-technology-/5048505.html
August 19, 2019
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The president of Pakistani-administered Kashmir has welcomed efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to lower tensions between Pakistan and India over the disputed Himalayan region and warned of a humanitarian crisis and food shortages in the Indian-held portion.
Sardar Masood Khan made the comments at a news conference Tuesday after Trump contacted the leaders of Pakistan and India to discuss Kashmir.
According to a White House spokesman, Trump “reaffirmed the need to avoid escalation of the situation, and urged restraint on both sides.”
#DonaldTrump #Kashmir #Pakistan #India #voanews
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U.S. President Donald Trump met with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis at the White House, Tuesday, August 20, to discuss defense and energy, among other topics. Trump and Iohannis will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the end of Communism in Romania and the 15th anniversary of Romania’s entrance into NATO.
📷: AP
#DonaldTrump #NATO #Romania #KlausIohannis #voanews
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🍅🍅 A couple kiss in a pool of tomatoes as they take part in the Russian Tomatina battle, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, August 18. 20 tons of tomatoes and a very large space are the ideal conditions for a tomato fight. With its roots in Valencia, Spain, the Tomatina festival took place in Russia for the first time. Both children and adults enjoyed soaking themselves in red, ripe slush. 📷:AP
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Turkish police used a water cannon to disperse protesters demonstrating against the dismissal of Kurdish mayors in three cities -- Diyarbakir, Mardin and Van -- Monday, August 19. Protesters gathered near Diyarbakir city hall for a sit-in protest before police moved in to disperse the crowd.
The three mayors are accused of various crimes including membership of a terrorist organization and spreading terrorist group propaganda, Turkey's Interior Ministry said in a statement.
The dismissals come as Turkey moves into Syria. Syrian fighter jets targeted at least one Turkish military convoy that had crossed into Syria Monday, causing a number of casualties.
📷:REUTERS/AFP
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🐍 Lance Corporal Orion Cannon, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, tastes snake blood during a jungle survival class as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training in Banyuwangi, Indonesia.
The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) is one of the four armed service branches of the U.S. Department of Defense. Marines operate on land and aboard sea-going amphibious warfare ships around the world. 📷:U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Destiny Dempsey
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🌶️🌶️ Photos released by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Thursday, August 15, show 4 tons of marijuana mixed in with a shipment of jalapeño peppers seized by CBP officers in San Diego's Otay Mesa, California.
Officials say they seized more than 3,401 kilograms equivalent to $2.3 million worth of marijuana at the Southern California port. 📷:U.S. Customs and Border Protection/AP
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💕 💍 With a simple We do, Dwayne The Rock Johnson announced his wedding to his longtime girlfriend on Instagram.
A photo of the movie star and Lauren Hashian was posted on the social media site. The post said the date of their nuptials was Sunday, August 18 in Hawaii.
The couple have been dating for several years and have two young daughters. Johnson also has a teenage daughter from a previous marriage. 📷:AP
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🇫🇷 🇷🇺 French President Emmanuel Macron met with Russia's President Vladimir Putin at his summer retreat at the Bregancon fortress on the Mediterranean coast in southern France, Monday, August 19.
The visit comes before world leaders gather for the G-7 Summit in Biarritz, the French seaside resort, on Saturday. Russia was excluded from what was the G-8 in 2014 after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine, a move that the international community declared illegal.
Macron, the G-7 host, has made fighting inequality the theme for the annual meeting of the seven industrialized nations, which includes the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada.
📷:REUTERS/AP
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High divers take off from top of 22 meters high, Pliva river waterfall, in Central-Bosnian town of Jajce, during 5th annual Waterfall Dive competition, Saturday, August 17.
#voanews #cliff #divers #waterfall #competition #Bosnia
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Veterans attend a parade at a memorial event organized by the Northern Ireland Veterans Association in Lisburn, south of Belfast, Saturday, August 17, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the start of Operation Banner, the arrival of British troops on the streets of Northern Ireland in 1969. For many Britons, the soldiers who intervened in Northern Ireland 50 years ago this week are unsung heroes who tried to keep the peace in a region riven with sectarian tensions.
📷: AFP
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Three cooling towers at Didcot power station in Oxfordshire, Britain were demolished in a controlled explosion, Sunday, August 18, with thousands of homes left with no electricity shortly after. Crowds gathered in grassy areas surrounding the station to watch the 114.3-meter-high towers fall. As seen in eyewitness footage, the explosion shot out burning sparks which caught a nearby electricity pole on fire and also appeared to have damaged a car. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks in a statement on Facebook said power had been restored to 40,000 customers who had faced outages following the demolition and had opened an investigation into what had caused power cuts. (Reuters)
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People mourn during the funeral of their relatives after a wedding suicide bomb blast in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, August 18.
👉The Islamic State group's Afghan branch has claimed responsibility for the wedding bombing in Kabul that killed at least 63 and wounded at least 183.
The victims of the overnight suicide bombing at a packed wedding hall were mostly members of the minority Shi’ite Hazara community.
Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi confirmed the casualty toll in a statement issued early Sunday, saying women and children were among the victims.
📷: Reuters
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