United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a costly, senseless war that has killed and injured thousands of civilians and violated…
Iran Summons Russian Ambassador Over Comments on Persian Gulf Territorial Dispute
Iran summoned Russia’s ambassador on Wednesday after Moscow released a joint statement with Arab countries earlier this week challenging Iran’s claim to disputed islands in the Persian Gulf. It marked…
‘We Meet as Equals’ NATO Tells Zelenskyy
NATO leaders met Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they close a summit in Lithuania’s capital, reiterating support for Kyiv to join the alliance but stopping short of any…
NATO Leaders Meet With Zelenskyy at Vilnius Summit
NATO leaders met Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lithuania’s capital as they close a summit that has included emphasis on supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion…
Smuggler Sentenced to 12 Years for Deaths of 39 Migrants Who Suffocated in Truck
A Romanian man who was part of an international human smuggling ring was sentenced Tuesday to more than 12 years in prison for the deaths of 39 migrants from Vietnam…
NATO Leaders Set to Meet With Zelenskyy at Vilnius Summit
NATO leaders are set to meet Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they close a summit in Lithuania’s capital that has included emphasis on supporting Ukraine in its fight…
NATO Agrees on Pathway for Ukraine as Turkey Backs Adding Sweden
From Lithuania, U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday this year’s NATO summit represents an ‘historic moment,’ as the security bloc prepares to enlarge while tackling issues around the grinding war…
VOA Interview: National Security Council’s John Kirby
As NATO leaders meet in Lithuania’s capital to hammer out key agreements amid a grinding war in Ukraine, John Kirby, director of strategic communications for the National Security Council, met…
Svitolina Thinks of Family, Ukraine as She Beats No. 1 at Wimbledon
The last time Elina Svitolina was a Grand Slam semifinalist — twice, actually, in 2019 — she was pursuing the usual trappings of success in professional sports: trophies, money, fame,…
South African Business Groups Concerned as US Reviews Trade Program
South African business groups are pushing the government to make strong diplomatic efforts to ensure the country is not stripped of its duty-free access to the U.S. market. A group…
Taliban Suspend Swedish Activities in Afghanistan Over Quran
The Taliban Tuesday ordered the suspension of all Swedish activities in Afghanistan because of the public burning of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, at a protest in Sweden last month. …
NATO Chief Calls Summit ‘Historic’ as Turkey Backs Adding Sweden to Alliance
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday he is “absolutely confident” Turkey will ratify Sweden’s accession to NATO and that alliance leaders gathered for a two-day summit in Lithuania’s capital will…
Spain Rescues 86 People Near Canary Islands, but Scores of Migrants From Senegal Remain Missing
Spanish authorities rescued 86 people Monday from a boat near the Canary Islands that appeared to be from Senegal, after an aid group reported that three boats from the African…
Biden Welcomes Sweden’s Acceptance Into NATO as Summit Begins
President Joe Biden welcomed news late Monday that Sweden will be admitted to NATO, overcoming objections from the last holdout in the security alliance, Turkey, on the eve of a…
Myanmar Violence, Sea Disputes to Dominate ASEAN Talks Joined by Envoys from US, Russia and China
Myanmar’s prolonged civil strife, tensions in the disputed South China Sea, and concern over an arms buildup in the region are expected to dominate the agenda when Southeast Asia’s top…
Russian Air Antics Helping Islamic State, Pentagon Says
The repeated harassment of U.S. drones by Russian fighter pilots in the skies over Syria is again drawing the ire of U.S. officials who now warn Russia’s antics are serving…
Ukraine to Push for Invitation to NATO at Vilnius Summit
At the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, this week, a main question will be whether Ukraine should join the alliance, even though there will be no vote on the issue….
Right-Wing Victory in Spain Could Bolster Catalan Independence Drive
Analysts say a right-wing victory may bolster the Catalan independence movement in the north-eastern corner of the country when voters go to the polls in Spain this month. Several recent…
Latest in Ukraine: NATO Allies Remain Divided Over Membership Path for Ukraine
Latest developments: Ukrainian officials say the country’s forces have recaptured 193 square kilometers of territory since launching a counteroffensive last month. Poland, which serves as a hub for military aid…
Australia Agrees to Near Record German Defense Deal
Australia has confirmed one of the largest defense export deals in its history selling armored combat vehicles to Germany. The $661million announcement was made by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese…
Latest in Ukraine: Putin Met with Wagner Leader After Mutiny
Latest developments: Ukrainian officials say the country’s forces have recaptured 193 square kilometers of territory since launching a counteroffensive last month. Poland, which serves as a hub for military aid…
Uzbekistan Returns President Mirziyoyev to Office
Voters in Uzbekistan handed a widely expected victory to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He was returned to office with almost 90% of the votes without facing any strong opposition. The snap…
Biden, Sunak to Discuss Ukraine Ahead of NATO Summit
The war in Ukraine will be high on the agenda Monday as U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meet in London as allies prepare for the…
300 Migrants Missing at Sea Near Spanish Canary Islands: Aid Group
At least 300 people who were traveling on three migrant boats from Senegal to Spain’s Canary Islands have disappeared, migrant aid group Walking Borders said Sunday. Two boats, one carrying…
Still ‘No’ on Sweden’s NATO Bid, Erdogan Tells Biden
U.S. President Joe Biden is in London for an overnight stop Sunday enroute to Lithuania for the NATO summit in Vilnius, where it remains unlikely that the alliance will welcome…
Brother of French Man Who Died in Police Custody Injured in Arrest
A man arrested in Paris during a memorial rally for his brother, who died in police custody seven years ago, was released from hospital Sunday, amid calls for more protests….
In Call With Turkey’s Erdogan, Biden Expresses Support for Sweden’s NATO Bid
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed a desire to see Sweden join NATO “as soon as possible” in a phone call with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in which they discussed Sweden’s…
Latest in Ukraine: Biden Says Ukraine Not Ready for NATO Membership
Latest developments: Russian air defense systems downed four missiles Sunday, Russian officials said on Telegram. One of the drones was shot down over the annexed Crimean Peninsula and three over…
BBC Suspends Presenter Over Claims He Paid Teenager for Explicit Photos
The BBC said Sunday that it has suspended a leading presenter who is alleged to have paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos. As senior British politicians urged a rapid…
Contested Bosnian Serb Laws Go Into Force Despite US Warning
Two controversial laws signed by the Bosnian Serb president, which Washington says undermine the peace deal that ended Bosnia’s 1990s war, entered into force on Sunday. Kremlin ally President Milorad…