Cambodia’s new canal could boost trade but risks harming key river
PREK TAKEO, Cambodia — The Mekong River is a lifeline for millions in the six countries it traverses on its way from its headwaters to the sea, sustaining the world’s largest inland fishery and abundant rice paddies on Vietnam’s Mekong…
Nearly 1 in 10 Americans report they are severely obese, says study
Obesity is high and holding steady in the United States, but the proportion of those with severe obesity — especially women — has climbed since a decade ago, according to new government research. The U.S. obesity rate is about 40%,…
Brazil imposes new fine, demands payments before letting X resume
SAO PAULO/BRASILIA BRAZIL — Brazil’s Supreme Court said on Friday that social platform X still needs to pay just over $5 million in pending fines, including a new one, before it will be allowed to resume its service in the…
Blinken dismisses China’s Ukraine peace plan over material support for Russia
new york — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that China’s words and actions regarding ending Russia’s war on Ukraine do not “add up,” as the Beijing government continues to allow Chinese companies to “fuel Russia’s war machine.”…
African leaders at UN warn against dwindling malaria funding
Abuja, Nigeria — Leaders in Africa say the fight against malaria on the continent is facing significant funding gaps due to the ongoing global financial crisis and the impact of climate change. African leaders this week met in New York…
Zimbabwe currency plunges after central bank move to allow more flexibility
Harare, Zimbabwe — The value of Zimbabwe’s gold-backed currency plunged 44% Friday on the official market. The sudden drop of the gold backed currency, known as ZiG, began Friday shortly after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s monetary committee met and…
Trump meets Zelenskyy amid tension, Republican criticism of Kyiv
Former U.S. President Donald Trump met Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York, where Trump repeated claims that he would be able to end the war in Ukraine by making a deal with Russia. White House Bureau Chief…
Blinken: Majority of UN Security Council condemns Russia’s war on Ukraine
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that “the overwhelming majority of countries” at the U.N. Security Council meeting this week “condemned Russia’s brutal war of conquest” on Ukraine and called “for a just and lasting peace on the…
In meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump promises ‘good for both sides’ deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine
Washington — Former President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York on Friday, promising that he “can work out something that’s good for both sides” to end the Russia-Ukraine war, if elected. In response to VOA’s…
Women’s choir promotes Ukrainian culture in Brussels
After Russia invaded Ukraine, Yuliia Lebedynska moved to Brussels with her daughter and granddaughter. She was an entrepreneur in Ukraine but in Belgium, she found herself in a Ukrainian women’s choir. Valentina Vasileva has the story, narrated by Anna Rice….