South Africa

Smoke rises on the horizon as lava flows from a volcano on the Canary island of La Palma, Spain on Wednesday Oct. 6, 2021. A volcano that has destroyed nearly 1,000 buildings on a Spanish island increased its explosive power, roaring louder and spewing thicker lava flowing out of its main vent. The eruption started on Sept. 19 and has forced the evacuation of over 6,000 residents of the island of La Palma. (AP Photo/Daniel Roca)

Saharan dust storm carries volcanic ash to Cuba

A large sandstorm originating from North Africa is arriving in Cuba after traveling more than 4,000 miles over the Atlantic Ocean. On Wednesday, clouds of sand and dust shrouded the island nation, in turn, obstructing the sky and prompting worries of public health.

Sam Brownback, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, speaks during a news conference at the State Department in Washington,DC on June 10, 2020. - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pledged a probe Wednesday into complaints that foreign news crews covering the street protests against racism and police brutality were mistreated. Australia, for instance, is investigating a US police attack on two Australian television journalists outside the White House last week."I know there have been concerns from some countries of their reporters having been treated inappropriately," Pompeo told a news conference. (Photo by Andrew Harnik / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW HARNIK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom

Fmr. ambassador: China using One Belt One Road initiative in Africa to spread authoritarianism globally

A top diplomat under President Trump has sounded the alarm on China’s pursuit for global dominance. On Friday, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Freedom Sam Brownback warned China is using its One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative in Africa to leverage its economic power in order to phase America out of the international stage. Brownback added U.S. lawmakers need to move fast to secure America’s position as top superpower.