France opens judicial investigation into journalist’s death in Ukraine
A judicial investigation will be opened in France to probe the death of a French-Irish journalist at the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the French National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday. Pierre Zakrzewski, a journalist with the American outlet…
New effort tackles drug overdose epidemic in US
The Biden Administration has launched a new effort to tackle the drug overdose epidemic in the United States, which in 2022 took more than 100,000 lives, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But as VOA’s Veronica…
Republican leader announces Ukraine, Israel war aid vote
Washington — The Republican leader in the House of Representatives announced Wednesday a vote on renewing long-delayed US military aid to Ukraine, as well as to Israel. The move sets up a showdown with his own far-right wing that for…
New TikTok Lite app raises concerns in EU
TikTok has 24 hours to provide a risk assessment after the launch of its new app, TikTok Lite, in France and Spain, the European Commission said Wednesday, citing concerns over the app’s impact on children and users’ mental health. The…
Report: Decades of progress in sexual, reproductive health being rolled back
GENEVA — Decades of progress in sexual and reproductive health are being rolled back with the poorest, most vulnerable members of society at greatest risk of losing out on lifesaving services, according to the 2024 State of World Population report….
Russian shelling severely damages Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Dam
In late March, Russian shelling severely damaged Ukraine’s largest hydroelectric plant. The attack on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Station and dam in the frontline city of Zaporizhzhia is a challenge for locals and those living both up and downstream. Eva…
Biden seeks higher tariffs on Chinese steel as he courts union voters
SCRANTON, Pa. — President Joe Biden is calling for a tripling of tariffs on steel from China to protect American producers from a flood of cheap imports, an announcement he planned to roll out Wednesday in an address to steelworkers…
Women in Afghanistan: The future ‘depends on them’
Released by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on Wednesday, Listening to Women Entrepreneurs in Afghanistan, Their Struggle and Resilience, analyzes data collected over the last three years, providing one of the most detailed views into the changing circumstances of women…
$2.8 billion appeal for three million people in Gaza, West Bank
The development came amid reports of ongoing Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip including Gaza City in the north, Rafah in southern Gaza and central Gaza, where more than dozen people were believed to have died in an apparent missile…
UPDATING LIVE: ‘Insidious campaign’ by Israel is denying live-saving aid to Gaza says UNRWA chief
3:26 PM UNRWA: ‘Indispensible lifeline’ says Malta Speaking in his national capacity Foreign Minister of Malta, Ian Borg said UNRWA was “an indispensable lifeline for Palestine refugees” in Gaza, the West Bank and elsewhere in the region, as well as…