Russia claims advances in Kursk; Zelenskyy says he’s ‘committed’ to talks
KYIV, UKRAINE — Russia said Saturday its troops had retaken three villages seized by Ukraine in its Kursk border region, in a fresh setback for Kyiv ahead of talks to try…
Swiss police rescue 2 dogs stolen for more than $1 million ransom
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND — Swiss police said Saturday they had solved a kidnapping involving two dogs and a demand for ransom of 1 million Swiss francs (about $1.135 million). Zurich police said…
Female students lead protests against corruption in Serbia
BELGRADE, SERBIA — Female students Saturday marked International Women’s Day in Serbia by leading the daily street protests against corruption and sending a message decrying widespread violence against women in the…
Protests in Turkey demand protection from domestic violence
ISTANBUL — Thousands of women demonstrated in the streets of Turkish cities Saturday to mark International Women’s Day, protesting inequality and violence against women. On the Asian side of Istanbul, a…
Russian strikes on Ukraine kill at least 11, Kyiv says
KYIV, UKRAINE — At least 11 people were killed and 30 wounded, including five children, in Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s eastern city of Dobropillia overnight, Ukrainian Interior Ministry…
UK pie and mash fans seek protected status for Cockney classic
LONDON — “One and one, please, love,” a regular said, leaning on the counter at a pie and mash shop in London’s East End. In seconds, one piping-hot beef pie appeared…
Protesters hurl bombs near Greek Parliament amid rail disaster motion debate
ATHENS, GREECE — Clashes broke out in Greece’s two largest cities Friday, as protesters hurled gasoline bombs and flares outside Parliament during a censure motion debate against the government over its…
Alleged Russian interference leaves Romanian presidential election in turmoil
Romania’s presidential election is in turmoil after the first round was annulled because of alleged Russian interference. A new election is set for May, and the stakes for democracy remain…
Greenland and Afghanistan: Frontiers in race for critical minerals
Just as discoveries of fossil fuel reserves helped to shape the 20th century, the race for critical minerals is shaping the 21st. These minerals are seen as strategically crucial for…
Trump confident Putin wants peace despite ‘bombing the hell out of Ukraine’
Russia’s latest aerial barrage against targets in Ukraine is not dampening expectations by U.S. President Donald Trump that he can broker a deal to end the fighting between Moscow and…
Pope hits 3-week mark in hospital after showing his frailty in recording
ROME — Pope Francis hit the three-week mark Friday in his hospitalization for double pneumonia, in stable condition and resuming his therapies after giving the world a tangible indication of just…
Мінекономіки: уряд затвердив 19 проєктів інфраструктури за грантовою угодою з Францією
Окрім інфраструктури, за словами Свириденко, кошти підуть на гуманітарне розмінування …
В Україну надійшли перші кошти від Великої Британії із доходів заморожених активів РФ – Шмигаль
Кошти спрямують на зміцнення української обороноздатності …
Discovery of WWII bomb disrupts Paris trains
PARIS — The discovery of a World War II bomb has disrupted morning traffic to and from Paris’ busy Gare du Nord train station, French national railway company TER said on…
US defense secretary: Europe-led NATO is ‘future of defense on continent’
pentagon — On a windy Thursday outside Washington at the Pentagon, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed his British counterpart to discuss how best to quickly end Russia’s war in Ukraine….
Ariane 6 rocket roars skyward carrying French military satellite
PARIS — An Ariane 6 rocket roared skyward with a French military reconnaissance satellite aboard Thursday in the first commercial flight for the European heavy-lift launcher. The rocket took off smoothly…
US envoy to travel to Saudi Arabia for talks with Ukrainians
WASHINGTON — A top Trump administration official said Thursday he would travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with Ukrainian representatives for talks about a ceasefire to pause Russia’s invasion. “We’re now…
Pope Francis stable, Vatican says; daily updates to stop
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, battling pneumonia in hospital for nearly three weeks, remained stable on Thursday and did not have any new episodes of respiratory crisis, the Vatican said. In…
Шмигаль розраховує на «посилення взаємодії» з Францією в обороні
«Маємо вже перші напрацювання між українськими та французькими компаніями у сфері ОПК» …
НБУ: інфляція зростатиме в найближчі місяці, але згодом цього року має знизитися до «однознакового рівня»
Інфляція зростатиме в найближчі місяці, але заходи Нацбанку сприятимуть зниженню інфляції до цілі 5%, попередив голова Національного банку України Андрій Пишний. «Інфляція зростатиме в найближчі місяці через подальший вплив гірших…
What life is like for Ukrainians in Russian-occupied cities
About 20% of Ukraine’s territory — including thousands of villages and small towns — is controlled by Russia. Life changed dramatically for many Ukrainians after Russia’s invasion, and some places…
5 convicted of plot to overthrow German government, kidnap health minister
Berlin — A German court on Thursday convicted five people of plotting to overthrow the government in a far-right coup and kidnap the former health minister. The Koblenz Higher Regional Court…
Нацбанк вдруге у 2025 році підвищив облікову ставку
Очікується, що в найближчі місяці інфляція зростатиме, але має повернутися на траєкторію сповільнення в другому півріччі …
France provides military intelligence to Ukraine as US steps back
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said Thursday that France is sharing intelligence with Ukraine, a move that followed the United States saying it was cutting off intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. The…
UN report finds women’s rights weakened in quarter of all countries
UNITED NATIONS — Women’s rights regressed last year in a quarter of countries around the world, according to a report published by UN Women on Thursday, due to factors ranging from…
Moscow aims to exploit US-Europe rift, experts warn
As European Union leaders prepare for emergency talks to ramp up military spending after the Trump administration suspended aid to Ukraine, several Russia experts say Moscow is trying to capitalize…
VOA Uzbek: Russia spreads disinformation on Kazakhstan-US scientific cooperation
Kazakhstan is cooperating with the United States on ensuring nuclear and biological security. As part of this cooperation, a laboratory for studying extremely dangerous infections has been built in Kazakhstan….
South Korea, Poland sign deal to boost economic, defense cooperation
WARSAW, POLAND — South Korea and Poland signed a cooperation agreement on Wednesday as the democratic allies increasingly find themselves united by concerns about the global security situation despite the vast…
Єврокомісія підпише угоду з ЄІБ на 1,95 мільярда євро на відбудову України
Угода в рамках програми Ukraine Facility «допоможе відновити системи водопостачання та опалення, школи та лікарні» …
Sanctions and war in Ukraine top Russian tourists’ concerns
You do not hear much from Russian civilians in international media as Russia’s government restricts foreign reporters working in the country. For VOA, Genia Dulot met with some Russian tourists…