December 11th will mark 30 years since the beginning of the First Chechen war. The initial Russian assault on Chechnya signaled not just the start of a merciless conflict that killed…
VOA Mandarin: Protesters in London call for accountability for China’s human rights violations
On this year’s International Human Rights Day on Tuesday, human rights organizations representing Chinese dissidents in exile from Hong Kong, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Tibet held a protest outside the…
Assad’s downfall marks the loss of Moscow’s main ally in the Middle East
Russian state media say Moscow has granted asylum to ousted Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, who reports say landed in Moscow after escaping from Damascus Sunday. The Kremlin was a key…
Мінекономіки уточнило обсяг розкриття банківської таємниці за кешбек та 1000 гривень «єПідтримки»
«Банки не повинні вимагати згоду на розкриття інформації про транзакції з особистих рахунків, які не стосуються безпосередньо виплати» …
Zelenskyy says ‘decisiveness’ necessary to bring end to war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that “only decisiveness” can bring Russia’s war in Ukraine to an end and bring lasting peace. Days after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron…
Китай обмежує поставки деталей БПЛА до США та Європи – Bloomberg
Ці кроки є прелюдією до ширших експортних обмежень на деталі для безпілотників, які, як очікують західні чиновники, Пекін запровадить у 2025 році …
VOA Turkish: Fall of the Syrian currency impacting economy in Derik
The collapse of the Syrian regime and the influx of thousands of families into Kurdish areas, particularly in Derik, has led to an economic crisis in these regions. As a…
VOA Turkish: 3 members of the security forces were killed in Turkish airstrikes near Manbij
Turkish warplanes launched three airstrikes near the Qara Quzaq Bridge, a strategic bridge that connects the eastern Euphrates to the western Euphrates. The strikes, targeting Kurdish security forces, resulted in…
Zelenskyy says he is open to negotiated end to war with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday he is open to the possibility of a diplomatic resolution to the country’s war with Russia. “Ukraine wants this war to end more than…
Turkey eyes bigger role in Syria after Assad’s ouster
Turkey is one of the principal backers of some of the Syrian rebels who ousted Bashar al-Assad and a likely winner as Ankara seeks to gain influence in the country….
Germany, other European countries suspend decisions on Syrians’ asylum bids after Assad’s fall
BERLIN — Germany and several other European countries said Monday they are suspending decisions on asylum claims by Syrian nationals because of the unclear situation in their homeland following the fall…
Ukraine reports destroying 18 Russian drones
Ukraine’s military said Monday it shot down 18 drones that Russian forces deployed in overnight attacks. The Ukrainian air force said the intercepts took place over the Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytsky,…
Notre Dame hosts first Mass since 2019 fire
PARIS — Notre Dame Cathedral, its air thick with the smell of incense, hosted its first Mass on Sunday since the catastrophic fire of 2019, a moment that transcended religious significance…
Georgian journalists allege brutal beatings; protests rage against ending EU talks
TBILISI, Georgia — Tens of thousands of people joined an 11th straight day of protests in Georgia on Sunday after the governing party moved to suspend negotiations on joining the European…
‘Reindeer’ volunteers bring holiday magic to Ukrainian children on front lines
IZIUM, Ukraine — Hopes for victory, a swift end to the war and prayers for their loved ones’ survival or return from Russian captivity are among the wishes scattered throughout letters…
From VOA Turkish: Turkey’s opposition reacts to the fall of Assad in Syria
Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel said his party supports the territorial integrity, democracy, peace, and stability in Syria following the departure of President Bashir al-Assad….
Trump calls for ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Ukraine after meeting Zelenskyy in Paris
KYIV — U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, shortly after a meeting in Paris with French and Ukrainian leaders, claiming Kyiv “would like to…
Sumo wrestlers bring 1,500 years of tradition to London as sport has international moment
LONDON — London’s Royal Albert Hall, the gilded concert venue known for an annual Rule Britannia singalong, is preparing to host a different kind of spectacle: Sumo wrestling. Camera shutters clicked…
Notre Dame reopens with music, prayers, heads of state
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and first lady Jill Biden join dozens of heads of state attending Notre Dame reopening celebrations this weekend, five years after the iconic Paris cathedral narrowly…
Georgia’s president says she talked with Trump, Macron about ‘stolen election’
TBILISI, GEORGIA — Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili said she talked with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron about the parliamentary election last month in her country that she…
North Macedonian political party calls for ban on social media content that incites ‘self-destructive behavior’
SKOPJE, North Macedonia — A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured…
Macron welcomes Trump to Paris with presidential pomp, joined by Zelenskyy
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Donald Trump to Paris on Saturday with a full a dose of presidential pomp, and they held an impromptu meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymr Zelenskyy…
Pope presides over ceremony with wide bruise on his chin
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis was seen with a significant bruise on his chin Saturday, but he presided over a ceremony to install new cardinals without apparent problems. A Vatican spokesperson…
Ukraine confirms Danish delivery of F-16s as Zelenskyy seeks support in Paris
KYIV, UKRAINE — Denmark has delivered a second batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday as he traveled to Paris to meet with top politicians and…
Russian LGBTQ+ activists describe a climate of fear amid new laws, court rulings
TALLINN, Estonia — In the year since Russia’s Supreme Court effectively outlawed any promotion of LGBTQ+ rights, activists say they are experiencing a climate of fear and intimidation in the country….
Irish YouTuber moves millions of followers to donate millions for charity
NEW YORK — Sean McLoughlin wears a lot of hats: YouTuber. Voice actor. Coffee entrepreneur. But McLoughlin, better known by his pseudonym Jacksepticeye, likes to say he would be a therapist…
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to reopen Saturday evening
The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is reopening Saturday evening, more than five years after a fire destroyed its roof and spire. An invitation-only ceremony will include heads of…
US urges China to act as North Korea cozies up to Russia
As North Korean troops bolster Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, the U.S. is urging China to rein in its allies’ provocative actions. This comes amid indications that Beijing is increasingly…
Zelenskyy reveals new medium-range Peklo drone missile
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday introduced new long-range Peklo drone missiles being manufactured in a Ukrainian factory, the first batch of which, he said, already has been delivered to…
Russia takes villages in key areas of east Ukraine front
Moscow — Russia said Friday its forces had captured a village near the embattled supply hub of Pokrovsk and another near the industrial town of Kurakhove, gaining ground in two key…