From Washington, this is VOA news. I'm Christopher Cruise reporting.
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President Trump said on Twitter Wednesday that a nuclear threat from North Korea "no longer" exists. That tweet drew a lot of criticism.
VOA Senate correspondent Michael Bowman reports.
Much has to occur before the world can breathe easier with regard to North Korea, says Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
"The nuclear threat will not be over until they have dismantled their entire nuclear establishment and removed both their enrichment capacity and their weapons."
Lawmakers are also responding icily to reports by North Korea's state-run media that, during the Singapore summit, Trump agreed to lift sanctions against Pyongyang as a trust-building measure. A joint statement issued at the end of the summit made no mention of sanctions relief.
Michael Bowman, VOA news, the Capitol.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said in a new report Wednesday that the banned nerve agent sarin and chlorine were "very likely" used in an attack in northern Syria last year.
It says the attack happened south of the city of Ltamenah in March, 2017. The group also said chlorine was likely used as a weapon the next day at Ltamenah Hospital and in the surrounding area.
The organization said its conclusions were based on witness testimony and sample analyses.
The Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen's exiled government launched a fierce assault Wednesday on the crucial port city of Hodeida. It's the biggest offensive of the years-long war in the Arab world's poorest nation.
On late Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council announced it will meet on Thursday to discuss the situation in Yemen.
This is VOA news.
Correspondent Moki Edwin Kindzeka reports from the English speaking northwestern town of Njikwa in Cameroon, which has been completely deserted due to fighting between Cameroon military and separatists.
A new report by the international human rights group Amnesty International criticizes both sides for using unnecessary and excessive force.
Amnesty International says civilians are caught in a deadly escalation of violence between the military and separatists seeking an English-speaking state.
Amnesty says Cameroon's military has responded with arbitrary arrests, torture, unlawful killings and destruction of property.
Military spokesperson Colonel Didier Badjeck has described as unfounded, allegations that the country's soldiers are using excessive force on the population.
Moki Edwin Kindzeka, for VOA news, Njikwa, northwestern Cameroon.
President Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, is looking for new lawyers.
A person familiar with the case says the attorneys who represented Cohen since last year plan to step aside.
Cohen has been represented by Stephen Ryan, a Washington lawyer who was brought on helping to prepare for congressional testimony about Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election.
Prosecutors in New York have said publicly they are investigating Cohen for fraud in his business dealings.
The person who reported the change in lawyers says Cohen has not talked to prosecutors about any plea bargain.
Cohen has admitted he made the deal to buy the silence of porn star Stormy Daniels. Investigators in that case seized records from his home and office this spring.
Warren Levinson, New York.
North America will host the 2026 World Cup. FIFA voters overwhelmingly opted for the financial and logistical certainty of a United States-led bid.
Carlos Cordeiro is the president of U.S. Soccer. "On behalf of our United Bid, Canada, Mexico and my country, the United States, thank you so, so very much for this incredible honor. Thank you for entrusting us with this privilege, the privilege of hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026."
The U.S. central bank raised interest rates slightly Wednesday and signaled that rates are likely to go higher as the economy continues to strengthen.
It says the labor market continues to improve, spending is rising and inflation is also rising closer to the modest 2 percent annual rate that experts say helps the economy grow predictably and will.
Fed officials work to maximize employment while maintaining stable prices.
You can find more on these and other late breaking and developing stories, from around the world, around the clock, at voanews.com and on the VOA news mobile app. I'm Christopher Cruise, VOA news.
