February 2, 2018
A look at the best news photos from around the world. …
Trump Nuclear Doctrine Takes Tougher Stance Toward Russia
The administration of President Donald Trump wants to revamp the U.S. nuclear arsenal and develop new low-yield atomic weapons, mainly in response to Russian actions in recent years, according to a policy statement released February 2. …
U.S. Treasury Warns Against Expansion Of Russia Sanctions
A new report to Congress by the U.S. Treasury Department warns that expanding Russia sanctions against Russia to include new issues of Russian government bonds would have “serious spillover effects” for the global economy. …
Ultrasound Prosthetics Allow Fine Motor Control
Just like every other health technology, prosthetics are now able to do things that were unimaginable a few years ago. The advances are happening with the help of machine learning, but also through human ingenuity. VOA’s Kevin Enochs reports. …
‘Lone Wolf’ Moniker Counterproductive in Fighting Terror, Researchers Say
The term “lone wolf” has become part of our common vocabulary, as the terror threat has evolved from large-scale attacks to individuals seemingly radicalized in relative isolation. But, a new report claims that the lone wolf typology is highly misleading and can even be counterproductive in the fight against terror. There have been dozens of …
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Cycle of Military Violence Repeats in Myanmar
The thundering crash of 60 mm artillery shells pounding down on Hauy Yao village is as clear as day for Shan refugee Lung Sai Lang, recalling the Sunday morning in 2002 when he grabbed his two young children and fled through the jungle to the Thai-Myanmar border with his wife. “The Burmese troops thought that …
Russia Marking 75th Anniversary Of Bloody ‘Battle Of Stalingrad’
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend ceremonies in the city formerly known as Stalingrad as it marks the 75th anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles in World War II. …
Iranian Police Arrest 29 Women Protesting Against Veiling Law
Iranian police say they arrested 29 women who removed their head scarves in a growing protest against a law requiring women to wear the Islamic veils in public. …
U.S. General Sees Afghan Troop Gains In Fight Against Taliban
A top U.S. commander says he has seen improvement in Afghan forces’ capabilities in the fight against Taliban extremists in Helmand Province since the American military returned to the troubled region nine months ago. …
Outlawed Tajik Islamic Party Leader On Trial In Absentia
Tajikistan’s Supreme Court has put the leader of the banned Islamic Renaissance Party (IRPT) on trial in absentia. …
Poroshenko Says Polish Bill On Nazi-Era Crimes ‘Unacceptable’
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he is “deeply concerned” by a Polish bill that accuses some Ukrainians of collaborating with Nazi Germany, calling it “categorically unacceptable.” …
Winter’s Tragic Toll on Lebanon’s Syrian Refugees
Safe from the violence that blighted his life in Syria, Hussein Hassan now fears his children face a new threat – the icy water that floods their temporary, makeshift home. Having fled conflict near their village in Deir ez-Zour two months ago, Hassan and his 11-member family are among those who have to endure Lebanon’s …
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Pakistani Politician, Wife Found Dead at Home in Karachi
Pakistani police say they have found the bullet-riddled bodies of a veteran politician and his wife at their home in Karachi. Authorities say it is unclear whether Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani, a provincial minister, and his wife died from murder or suicide. Senior police officer Tauqeer Naeem says servants found the bodies of …
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5 Things: What Yellen’s Fed Tenure Will be Remembered For
When Janet Yellen leaves the Federal Reserve this weekend after four years as chair, her legacy will include having shattered a social barrier: She is the first woman to have led the world’s most powerful central bank, a position that carries enormous sway over the global economy. Yellen will be remembered, too, for her …
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Protest Held In Kabul Amid Tense Afghan-Pakistani Ties
Dozens of angry protesters have gathered outside the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul, chanting slogans such as “Death to Pakistan” and burning flags of the country. …
The Daily Vertical: One-Way Sovereignty
The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL. …
USA Gymnastics: All Directors Have Resigned After Abuse Scandal
USA Gymnastics, the sport’s U.S. governing body, said Wednesday that all its remaining directors have resigned following revelations that the longtime team doctor had sexually abused numerous athletes under his care. A USA Gymnastics spokeswoman on Friday had said that the full board intended to resign. The U.S. Olympic Committee threatened to revoke the organization’s …
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How Immigration Arrests Affect Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Editor’s Note: This is one of a series of occasional reports from this area. HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA — “Yes, there exists this fear — the fear that this can happen [again],” said Raul, a 31-year-old Mexican national and longtime resident of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. A fear of reprisal led to his request that VOA keep his surname …
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US Designates Hamas Political Leader as ‘Global Terrorist’
Less than a week after threatening to cut aid to the Palestinians if they fail to pursue peace with Israel, the United States is sanctioning the political leader of Hamas, the terrorist organization that controls the Gaza Strip. The State Department Tuesday announced it has placed Ismail Haniyeh, president of the Hamas political bureau, on …
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Iran Imprisons Zoroastrian Iranian-American Art Dealer, Wife
A U.S.-based rights group says Iran has sentenced an Iranian-American art dealer and his wife to lengthen prison terms for being followers of the Zoroastrian religious faith. …
FACT CHECK: Snapshots From Trump’s Speech
The AP is fact-checking prepared remarks from President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech. Here’s a look at some of the claims we’ve examined: Tax cuts Trump: “We enacted the biggest tax cuts and reform in American history.” — excerpt released by White House. The Facts: No truer now than in the countless other …
Sources: Russian Spy Chief Met US Officials in US Last Week
Russia’s foreign spy chief, who is under U.S. sanctions, met last week outside Washington with U.S. intelligence officials, two U.S. sources said, confirming a disclosure that intensified political infighting over probes into Moscow’s alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. Sergey Naryshkin, head of the Russian service known by its acronym SVR, held talks with …
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Hong Kong Democracy Activists Decry Another Disqualification
Hong Kong’s democracy supporters are riled after the government blocked a 21-year-old founding member of a young political party from an upcoming election, in what activists see as the latest effort to muzzle opposition in the Chinese territory. In a letter to Agnes Chow, a prominent figure in several political causes, a city elections officer …
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Iranian Reformist Tells Khamenei To Bring Reforms, Stop Blaming Foreign ‘Enemies’
A prominent Iranian reformist who has been under house arrest for the past seven years has criticized Iran’s supreme leader, urging him to introduce and implement major reforms “before it is too late.” …