The Western allies were due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Ramstein airport in southwestern Germany on Thursday. “The main priority is to continue strengthening our air defense systems and ensure that we can at least drive Russian military aviation away from our cities and borders,” Zelensky wrote on X before the gathering. The … Read more
Tallin,Estonia – A jailed opposition activist in Belarus resurfaced in a video shot by a pro-government blogger on Wednesday after having had no contact with his family for more than 700 days, just weeks before elections, prompting criticism from the country’s strongman leader. It is almost certain to retain power. Viktor Babaryka, 61, has been … Read more
Wildfires burning out of control around Los Angeles have made the California city the latest in a growing line of urban centers facing the reality of deadly fires. Driven by strong winds, the fire spread through densely populated urban areas, killing five people and destroying at least a thousand buildings. As global temperatures are rising, … Read more
Lebanon has had no actual president for more than two years, but that could change this week. On Thursday, MPs are going to make their 13th attempt to elect a new President. According to the Lebanese Constitution, state power rests with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. However, the transitional government under Prime Minister Najib … Read more
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held bilateral meetings with his Ukrainian and British counterparts on Wednesday before hosting the Ukraine Defense Contact Group for the last time. VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb is traveling with Austin as the US is expected to announce its final military aid package to Kiev under the Biden administration. Source … Read more
Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes said social media companies must comply with domestic laws and regulations to continue operating in Brazil. A day after media giant Meta announced it was abandoning its fact-checking program. Moraes said Brazil’s Supreme Court would not allow technology companies to exploit hate speech for profit, adding that social media in … Read more
A look at the easing of EU sanctions on Syria in an effort to help boost the economy under the new government. Devastating wildfires are burning across Los Angeles, forcing thousands to evacuate. The government of Chad has reiterated its order for French troops to leave the country. Also, President-elect Donald Trump says he will … Read more
At least six people were killed and several others were reported injured in a stampede while entering a temple in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday evening. What do we know about Stampede? The stampede occurred during the 10-day annual festival at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati city of Andhra … Read more
Anthony Belanger, secretary general of the International Federation of Journalists, told VOA that Iran is “repressive of press freedom”, and urged foreign journalists to be “as cautious as possible” when traveling to countries like Iran. Belanger spoke on Wednesday, the day after Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was released from detention in Iran and returned to … Read more
