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Indians Held in France Over Trafficking Fears Questioned
Vatry, France — Four French judges on Sunday began questioning more than 300 Indians travelling on a plane detained near Paris over suspicions of human trafficking. The Nicaragua-bound Airbus A340 has…
UN Says Swedish Citizen Faces Iran Execution ‘Shortly’
Geneva — The United Nations warned Saturday that an Iranian-Swedish citizen is facing imminent execution in Iran after a Swedish court upheld the conviction of a former Iranian prison official. “Disturbing…
France Completes Military Withdrawal From Niger, Leaves Gap in Terror Fight
ABUJA, Nigeria — France on Friday completed the withdrawal of its troops after they were asked to leave Niger by the country’s new junta, ending years of on-the-ground military support and…
300 Indian Travelers Stuck at French Airport in Human-Trafficking Probe
VATRY, France — About 300 Indian citizens heading to Central America were sequestered in a French airport for a third day Saturday after a dramatic police operation prompted by a tip…
Anti-War Russian Blocked From Challenging Putin in Election
London — Former TV journalist Yekaterina Duntsova was disqualified on Saturday as a candidate for Russia’s next presidential election, preventing her from running against Vladimir Putin on a platform of opposition…
Czech Republic Holds Day of Mourning for Victims of Worst Mass Killing
PRAGUE — The Czech Republic came to a standstill at noon Saturday as people across the country observed a minute of silence as part of a national day of mourning to…
Czechs Mourn Victims of University Shooting as Police Tighten Security
Prague, Czech Republic — Czechs mourned the victims of the Czech Republic’s worst mass shooting as police tightened security around schools and other public buildings across the country on Friday after…
Estonia Bolstering Security Measures With US Presence on Ground
During his November visit to Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warned that if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, the next Kremlin threat will extend to the Baltics. VOA’s Eastern…
Migration to Europe Increases as Syrians, Afghans Top Asylum-Seekers
Washington — The number of people seeking asylum in European countries this year is projected to surpass 1 million, reaching levels not seen since 2016 when 1.16 million asylum-seekers were reported….
NATO Expands in 2023, but Timing of Ukraine’s Membership at Issue
London — 2023 saw NATO welcome its 31st member, as Finland joined the alliance in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, Sweden’s application is still being held up by…
НБУ та експортери розвернули тренд – гривня посилюється на міжбанку
На міжбанківському валютному ринку котирування станом на 16:05 становили 37 гривень 46–49 копійок за долар …
Charity: For Many Older People Christmas is ‘Hardest Day’
Christmas for many is a time of family togetherness and good cheer, but for older adults, it can too often be one of the year’s loneliest days. Age UK, a…
Syriac Christmas Message Stirs Debate in Turkish Parliament
Diyarbakir, Turkey/Washington — Turkey’s parliament erupted in controversy this week when the nation’s only Assyrian lawmaker delivered a Christmas message in his native Syriac language, offending other legislators who believe that…
White House Says It Is Preparing New Proposal to Free American Journalist Jailed in Russia
washington — The White House said Thursday that it is preparing a new proposal to Russia to secure the release of journalist Evan Gershkovich and another jailed American. “We’re working hard…
EU Pays Last of Ukraine Budget Support for 2023
BRUSSELS — The European Union on Thursday paid the final tranche of a multibillion-euro support package to Ukraine to help keep its war-ravaged economy afloat this year, leaving the country without…
Кредитори України погодили відтермінування сплати боргів до 2027 року – Міністерство фінансів
Раніше цього дня міністр фінансів Сергій Марченко підписав зміни до меморандуму про взаєморозуміння щодо призупинення виплат за державним та гарантованим державою боргом, …
Turkish Referee Attack Puts Focus on Professionals as Erdogan Targets Elites
In Turkey, the assault of a referee in a major professional soccer match drew international condemnation and the unprecedented suspension of all league games. It also put a focus on…
After Approving Blessings for Same-Sex Couples, Pope Asks Vatican Staff to Avoid ‘Rigid Ideologies’
rome — Pope Francis urged Vatican bureaucrats Thursday to avoid “rigid ideological positions” that prevent them from understanding today’s reality, an appeal made days after he formally allowed priests to bless…
British Businesses Wait on Sidelines as China’s Economy Struggles
London — Beijing’s hopes for a swift return of foreign investors after it began lifting its harsh COVID-19 restrictions late last year were not answered in 2023. A new survey of…
НБУ зупинив падіння гривні на міжбанку
На міжбанківському валютному ринку котирування станом на 16:05 становили 37 гривень 60,5–62,5 копійки за долар …
Марченко розповів про ризики браку фінансування на початку 2024 року: «вже зараз працює план Б»
«Якщо не буде якихось особливостей, то ситуація під контролем. Але найбільшу невизначеність нам формує сектор безпеки та оборони» …
About 500 Houses of Worship in Ukraine Ruined Due to Russian Invasion
About 500 houses of worship in Ukraine have been destroyed or damaged since the 2022 Russian invasion, according to the American Institute for Religious Freedom. A Ukrainian group called “Temples…
FIFA, UEFA Acted Contrary to EU Competition Law in Blocking Super League, Court Says
BRUSSELS — The European Union’s top court ruled Thursday in a landmark decision for the future of soccer’s club competitions that UEFA and FIFA acted contrary to EU competition law in…
French Pharma Firm Ordered to Pay Millions Over Deadly Diabetes Drug
PARIS — A French appeals court on Wednesday ordered pharmaceutical firm Servier to pay more than $460 million in damages over a scandal involving a diabetes drug linked to hundreds of…