Blinken makes unannounced visit to Kyiv as Ukraine faces Russian challenge in east
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United States for what he called a “crucial package” of aid, as he hosted talks Tuesday in Kyiv with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken arrived in the country hours earlier on an…
With Putin’s reshuffle, is Russia preparing for a long war?
Three experts have told VOA’s Russian Service that the appointment of Andrei Belousov as Russia’s defense minister suggests President Vladimir Putin is preparing his country for a protracted war against Ukraine. Putin reshuffled his government Sunday, tapping Belousov, an economist…
Will US voters continue to care about Ukraine amid Israel-Hamas conflict?
As Russia pushed into northern Ukraine this week, the U.S. presidential race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump remained focused on another foreign policy crisis — the war in Gaza. As VOA’s congressional correspondent, Katherine Gypson, reports,…
US, allies ‘doing everything humanly possible’ to rush weapons to Ukraine
The United States is working hard to rush weapons to Ukraine to fight against a surprise Russian ground offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region, the White House said Monday. “We’re doing everything humanly possible, both ourselves and our allies,” White…
US, China to hold AI talks in Switzerland
U.S. and Chinese officials plan to meet in Switzerland on Tuesday to discuss artificial intelligence security concerns. U.S. officials said the Geneva talks will not open the door for China to influence technology policy. Representatives from both countries will discuss…
Dazzling auroras fade from skies as sunspot turns away
Washington — The spectacular auroras that danced across the sky in many parts of the world over the weekend are fading, scientists said Monday, as the massive sunspot that caused them turns its ferocious gaze away from Earth. Since Friday,…
Ukrainian pastor serves as front-line chaplain
Fifty-year-old Yevhen Savchenko has been serving as an official chaplain for Ukraine’s Armed Forces since late 2023, often performing his duties on the front line. Savchenko is also the father of eight children and pastor of an evangelical Baptist church…
Nearly 2,000 children killed in Ukraine war: UNICEF
UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office and its Regional Director, Regina De Dominicis, released a joint statement saying, “At least 1,993 children in Ukraine have been killed or injured since the escalation of war more than two years ago,…
Countless lives at stake in Sudan’s El Fasher, warn UN aid teams
According to UN emergency relief chief Martin Griffiths, a “strike” damaged the roof of the intensive care unit at Southern Hospital in El Fasher Town – the only working hospital in North Darfur state – where medical supplies are running…
Rafah exodus reaches 360,000 as UN underscores $2.8 billion aid appeal for Gaza, West Bank
“Nearly 360,000 people have fled Rafah since the first evacuation order a week ago,” the UN agency said in a post on X, referencing leafleting by the Israeli military ordering those in eastern Rafah to leave their shelters. In another alert,…