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Lily Thompson

Europe grapples with highest number of measles cases in more than 25 years

“Measles is back, and it’s a wake-up call,” warned Dr. Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for the European region. A total of 127,350 cases were reported in the region in 2024, double the number of cases…

Putin expresses support for ceasefire but says details must be worked out

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for a U.S. ceasefire proposal to halt Russia’s war with Ukraine but stressed that details would have to be worked out. “We agree with the proposals to halt the fighting, but we proceed from…

Deadly Russian aerial attacks hit Ukraine’s Kherson region

Russian aerial attacks overnight killed at least two people in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, officials said Thursday. Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram his region came under attack by Russian drones and shelling, and that one other…

US October-February budget deficit hits record $1.147 trillion

WASHINGTON —  The U.S. budget deficit for the first five months of fiscal 2025 hit a record $1.147 trillion, the Treasury Department said on Wednesday, including a $307 billion February deficit for President Donald Trump’s first full month in office…

Archaeologists find million-year-old fossil of a human ancestor

WASHINGTON —  A fossil of a partial face from a human ancestor is the oldest in western Europe, archaeologists reported Wednesday. The incomplete skull — a section of the left cheek bone and upper jaw – was found in northern…

Russian officials expect to keep Ukrainian land in peace deal

The US administration’s efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine are putting pressure on the Kremlin. But Moscow has made considerable territorial gains and some in Russia say they are prepared to give up nothing. VOA’s Jeff Custer narrates this…

Launch pad problem delays SpaceX flight to replace NASA’s stuck astronauts

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida —  A launch pad problem prompted SpaceX to delay a flight to the International Space Station on Wednesday to replace NASA’s two stuck astronauts. The new crew needs to get to the station so that Butch Wilmore…

Putin orders army to push last Ukrainian troops from Russian territory

President Vladimir Putin donned military fatigues for a surprise visit to troops in Russia’s western Kursk region on Wednesday, where he ordered them to press their lightning advance and swiftly retake the rest of the area from Ukrainian forces. Putin…

Some in Russia ready to ‘open the champagne’ ahead of expected Ukraine peace talks

The U.S. administration’s efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine are putting pressure on the Kremlin. But Moscow has made considerable territorial gains and some in Russia say they are prepared to give up nothing. VOA’s Jeff Custer narrates this…

Trump, Irish leader meet amid differences on trade, Gaza war

WASHINGTON —  U.S. President Donald Trump met Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin on Wednesday for wide-ranging talks that reflected differences over trade and the conflict in Gaza, although both leaders pledged to expand cooperation between the two countries. The annual…