US, Kyiv and NATO allies blast Putin’s cease-fire conditions for Ukraine
The United States, Ukraine and NATO have dismissed conditions for a Ukraine cease-fire set Friday by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said he would halt his offensive in Ukraine provided Kyiv withdraws from territories claimed by Moscow and abandons its…
G7 leaders focus on Russia, Chinese trade practices, AI ethics
Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies aim Friday to forge a united stand on economic security threats they say China poses to the global economy — including its overcapacity in electric vehicles, support for Russia’s war machine and…
Climate change fuels tensions in Nigeria
Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria Mohamed Malick Fall highlighted the worrying impact of climate change. The country is witnessing climate-related shocks which are triggering displacement and driving conflict, he…
War in Ukraine should not be ‘new normal’, warns top humanitarian there
“There has been a very clear intensification of the war over the past couple of months,” said Denise Brown, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine. “On my last trip to Ukraine two weeks ago, there were 12 sirens during…
Conflict and lawlessness hamper food aid delivery in Gaza: WFP
“Driving through Gaza City to Jabalia, the destruction is unbelievable. In the North of Gaza, I didn’t see one single building intact and there was constant shelling with drones buzzing overhead,” he said. “The people here are traumatised and exhausted….
‘Better late than never’: Gazans react to Security Council ceasefire resolution
The US-led resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of some hostages together with Palestinian prisoners, followed by the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas and the return of Palestinians to their homes throughout Gaza while humanitarian aid…
Russia, Ukraine exchange drone, missile attacks
Kyiv, Ukraine — Kyiv and Moscow staged dozens of drone and missile attacks overnight, officials said Friday, leaving several wounded in Ukraine and damaging a fuel reservoir site in a Russian border region. The two sides have stepped up cross-border…
At G7 Italy, Biden galvanizes support for Ukraine
US President Joe Biden and leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies are meeting in Italy, underscoring support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion and the need for a cease-fire in Gaza. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara is…
US Supreme Court rejects bid to restrict access to abortion pill mifepristone
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against restricting access to the abortion pill mifepristone on Thursday, turning back a challenge from anti-abortion advocates. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the pill in 2000, and it’s currently used in more than…
Google AI Gemini parrots China’s propaganda
Washington — VOA’s Mandarin Service recently took Google’s artificial intelligence assistant Gemini for a test drive by asking it dozens of questions in Mandarin, but when it was asked about topics including China’s human rights abuses in Xinjiang or street…