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Europe

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…

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…

Ukrainian officials say deadly Russian missile attack hits Chernihiv

Ukrainian officials said Wednesday a deadly Russian missile attack hit the northern city of Chernihiv, killing at least 17 people and injuring 61 others. Vyacheslav Chaus, the regional governor, said several missiles struck near the center of the city. “There…

Facing Republican revolt, House Speaker Johnson pushes ahead on US aid for Ukraine, Israel

Washington —  Defiant and determined, House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed back Tuesday against mounting Republican anger over his proposed U.S. aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other allies, and rejected a call to step aside or risk a vote to…

Ukraine downs 9 drones from Russian attacks

Ukraine’s military said Tuesday it destroyed all nine aerial drones that Russia used in overnight attacks targeting multiple parts of Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force said the intercepts took place over the Kherson, Mykolaiv, Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, Cherkasy and Dnipropetrovsk regions….

Biden hosts Czech leader to promote Ukraine aid amid delay in Congress

washington —  President Joe Biden urged the U.S. House to immediately take up Senate-passed supplemental funding for Ukraine and Israel on Monday as he hosted Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in the Oval Office. The visit came as Biden aimed…

Zelenskyy calls for same defense from allies as for Israel

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Western allies Monday to display the same “unity” toward Ukraine as they did toward Israel when they thwarted an Iranian aerial assault against the Israeli skies over this past weekend. “By defending Israel, the…

Private California school sponsoring students from Ukraine, Afghanistan

A private high school in California has provided scholarships to three refugee students — one from Ukraine and two from Afghanistan. VOA’s Genia Dulot has the story of an American educator who has even opened her home to the two…

AI-generated fashion models could bring more diversity to industry — or leave it with less

Chicago, Illinois —  London-based model Alexsandrah has a twin, but not in the way you’d expect: Her counterpart is made of pixels instead of flesh and blood. The virtual twin was generated by artificial intelligence and has already appeared as…

Polish abortion opponents march against steps to liberalize strict law

WARSAW —  Thousands of Polish opponents of abortion marched Sunday in Warsaw to protest recent steps by the new government to liberalize the predominantly Catholic nation’s strict laws and allow termination of pregnancy until the 12th week. Many participants in…