Botswana, De Beers reach diamond sales agreement after years of negotiations
Gaborone, Botswana — The government of Botswana and South African diamond firm De Beers say they have reached a new, 10-year sales agreement following talks that had dragged on since 2019. Analysts say the diamond industry is sure to welcome…
US foreign aid freeze sends shockwaves through Ukraine
The decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to freeze most foreign aid has left Ukrainian organizations that provide humanitarian aid and other services scrambling. Myroslava Gongadze has the story from Warsaw, with reporting from Anna Chernikova in Kyiv. VOA footage…
Bird flu pandemic potential in US worries scientists, farmers
The recent outbreak of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in the U.S. and the potential for it to mutate has raised concerns among the scientific community that it could result in human-to-human transmission and a new pandemic. Farmers are also…
Facing tariff threats, India lowers import duties to signal it is not protectionist
New Delhi — With trade likely to emerge as the most contentious issue between India and the United States, New Delhi has signaled that it is moving to allay concerns of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has named India among…
Haiti: ‘I was deported to a country I never lived in’
Mireille Pregnant and exhausted and clutching a small bag with all that was left of her belongings, Mireille* stood under the relentless Haitian sun, not sure what to do next. She had just been deported from the Dominican Republic, a…
Sudan: UN chief condemns reported executions as starvation risks rise
Many of the victims are believed to be from the Darfur and Kordofan regions. “The Secretary-General reminds all warring parties in Sudan of their obligations under international law, especially in relation to the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure,” said…
Eastern DR Congo crisis increasing risk of mpox transmission, WHO chief warns
Fighting escalated sharply in late January, as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized control of parts of North Kivu, including areas near the regional capital Goma, and advanced towards South Kivu. Before the latest violence, mpox cases had been stabilizing, said WHO…
West Bank violence undermining Gaza ceasefire: UNRWA
It comes a day after Israeli Security Forces (ISF) carried out a series of controlled detonations at the Jenin refugee camp, located in the northern West Bank, destroying large areas there “in a split second”. UNRWA said it received no…
Russia says Ukrainian drone attacks targeted energy sites
Russian officials said Monday that Ukrainian drone attacks targeted energy facilities in two regions in southwestern Russia. Volgograd Governor Andrei Bocharov said falling debris from drones destroyed by Russian air defenses sparked fires at an oil refinery. Astrakhan Governor Igor…
Gerber recalls baby teething sticks over possible choking hazard
Arlington, Virginia — A baby food maker is recalling edible sticks meant to ease teething pain over a possible choking hazard. Gerber announced Friday that it was recalling and discontinuing its brand of “Sooth N Chew” teething sticks after receiving…