Freedom of expression also under fire in Gaza war, rights expert says
“Rarely have we seen – and this is what bothers me – extensive patterns of unlawful, discriminatory and disproportionate restriction by States and private actors on freedom of expression,” said Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur mandated to promote and…
Ukraine evacuates thousands from embattled Kharkiv town
Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukraine on Friday said it was evacuating thousands of people from an embattled northeastern town that Kyiv retook from Russia about six months after Moscow launched its invasion in 2022. Kupiansk, a key rail hub in the…
US ‘concerned’ by reports North Korea shipping soldiers to Russia
WASHINGTON — Growing evidence of an expanding military partnership between North Korea and Russia is sparking renewed concern in Washington, where officials see Moscow making a determined but desperate push to advance in its war against Ukraine. The heightened sense…
Namibia hosts workshop on health care access to LGBTQ+ community
WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA — Namibians who are part of the LGBTQ+ community often find it difficult to get decent health care and many report discriminatory practices within the health care system. For example, when 20-year-old Immanuel Uirab sought contraception at a…
Moonlight may hamper views of Orionid meteor shower, debris of Halley’s comet
washington — The Orionids — one of two annual meteor showers from Halley’s comet — peak early Monday. A bright waning moon may make them difficult to spot. The Orionid meteor shower can be unpredictable. It shines like a fireworks…
Residents on Kenya’s coast use app to track migratory birds
The Tana River delta on the Kenyan coast includes a vast range of habitats and a remarkably productive ecosystem, says UNESCO. It is also home to many bird species, including some that are nearly threatened. Residents are helping local conservation…
US sanctions Chinese entities for building, shipping Russian Garpiya drones used in Ukraine
washington — The United States on Thursday announced fresh sanctions targeting Chinese and Russian entities for their role in designing, building and shipping attack drones that have resulted in mass casualties in Ukraine. The sanctions target two Chinese entities, Xiamen…
European Central Bank cuts main interest rate a quarter-point to 3.25% as inflation fades
The European Central Bank, which sets interest rates for the 20 countries that use the euro currency, cut borrowing costs once again on Thursday after figures showed inflation across the bloc falling to its lowest level in more than three…
Deepfakes featuring deceased terrorists spread radical propaganda
In a year with over 60 national elections worldwide, concerns are high that individuals and entities are using deepfake images and recordings to contribute to the flood of election misinformation. VOA’s Rio Tuasikal reports on some potentially dangerous videos made…
Lebanon: Cholera fears for communities uprooted by war
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that a response plan had been activated to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing and water sampling. The case was confirmed in Akkar, the country’s northernmost governorate. Speaking in Geneva late Wednesday, Tedros…