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I'm Marissa Melton.
As the Bahamas starts recovering from Hurricane Dorian, the United States is among others assuring to help. AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani has more. As the international community looks to help the Bahamas, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis says there are big logistical hurdles. "... national effort, Abaco is underwater ..." and the others are inaccessible by land. The military's using helicopters to get supplies to the Bahamas. And President Trump says America's putting its good fortune with Dorian to good use. "We're taking some of the supplies from other places, including Florida, where we didn't have to use them, and we're gonna be bringing them over to the Bahamas, where they really need it very badly." Sagar Meghani, Washington. The United States on Wednesday took action to disrupt an Iranian oil shipping network it accuses of funding terrorism. Meanwhile, President Trump expressed optimism about engaging in diplomacy with Tehran. Details from VOA's White House bureau chief Steve Herman. As the United States sanctioned individuals, entities and takers to disrupt Iran's oil shipping network, Trump struck an upbeat note about the possibility of diplomacy with that country. "Well, we're gonna see what happens. They wanna talk. They wanna make a deal." According to the U.S. Treasury Department over the past year, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Quds Force have moved oil worth hundreds of millions of dollars to a network benefiting Syria's government and Hezbollah. U.S. officials on Wednesday also announced a reward of up to $15 million for any person who helps disrupt such financial operations. Steve Herman, VOA news, at the White House. Also Wednesday, Iran announced a further scaling back of its commitments to the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech that the move involves "development of centrifuges" and will take place on Friday. From Washington, you're listening to VOA news. Pope Francis was met by thousands of excited Mozambicans Wednesday, including President Filipe Nyusi, as he began his first papal visit to the southern African country. The pontiff says he brings a message of peace to the war-ravaged nation. In a recorded message released ahead of his arrival, the pope addressed Mozambicans in the nation's dominant language, Portuguese. He said, "You are all in my prayers." He also invited them to join him in prayer that the God bring peace and reconciliation to Mozambique and throughout Africa. Mozambicans say that's a powerful message in the wake of a recent peace agreement that aims to end decades of violence that followed a brutal [civil] 16-year civil war. On his three-day visit, the pope will meet with lawmakers, youth and clergy, giving three speeches on Thursday before leading a mass on Friday. After Mozambique, Francis will continue to the island nations of Madagascar and Mauritius. The British Parliament squares off once again with Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson intent on forcing him to petition the European Union to delay Britain's EU departure until January 31st. AP correspondent Karen Chammas has more. The House of Commons is confronting Johnson over his insistence that the UK leave the EU on October the 31st even without withdraw agreements. Johnson argues that further delaying Britain's exit from the EU will have a harmful effect on the UK economy. "He wants to suspend a billion pounds a month net to keep us in the EU beyond October the 31st." If lawmakers decide to block the option of a no-deal Brexit, then Johnson has said he will seek a general election. In order to call a snap general election, Johnson will need a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Karen Chammas, London. YouTube has run foul of U.S. regulators and it will cost some big dollars for its Google overseers. Here is AP correspondent Mike Gracia. Google will pay $170 million to settle allegations its video site YouTube collected the personal information of children without their parents' consent. Google was fined $136 million by the Federal Trade Commission and the company will pay an additional $34 million to resolve similar allegations with New York state. Federal law requires parental consent before companies can collect and share personal information of children under age of 13. YouTube has said its services intended for ages 13 and older. Mike Gracia, Washington. The World Economic Forum on Africa opened Wednesday in Cape Town, South Africa, but most [leader] leaders from Nigeria, Rwanda, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo had declined to send delegations. South Africa's been racked over the past few days by anti-immigrant violence. Experts say the violence is likely rooted in frustration over the nation's socio-economic conditions. More than half the South African population lives in poverty. Marissa Melton, VOA news. |