Month: May 2017

Armenia’s Republican Party (HHK), which won last month’s parliamentary elections, has proposed former Health Minister Ara Babloyan for the position of parliament speaker. …

The Philippine government has told the European Union it will no longer accept development aid from the bloc, putting at risk programs to assist poor and conflict-hit regions in the country’s south, Europe’s ambassador said on Wednesday. Ambassador Franz Jessen said the decision to cut aid from the EU, a strong critic of President Rodrigo …

Read more “Philippines Declines EU Aid After Securing Billions From China”

Two key Senate committees have demanded information about U.S. President Donald Trump’s firing of the director of the FBI, suggesting deepening political problems for the White House. …

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is extending sanctions relief for Iran that was granted under the 2015 nuclear agreement, while imposing new economic penalties over Iranian ballistic-missile activity. …

Hundreds of Africans living in the northern U.S. state of Minnesota are about to lose their temporary immigrant status. As many as 5,000 people were granted the special protected status in 2014 when an Ebola epidemic hit three West African nations, allowing residents from the impacted countries to live and work in the U.S. legally …

Read more “Hundreds of West African Immigrants in US to Lose Immigration Status”

Supporters and protesters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demonstrated in Lafayette Park outside the White House as U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Erdogan, in Washington on Tuesday. …

A study by the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF shows that one in four children in the Middle East and North Africa lives in poverty and deprivation, lacking even the most basic necessities, such as proper housing and safe water. The study, released this week, covered 11 Arab countries and found that 29 million children …

Read more “UNICEF: One in Four Children in Arab World Lives in Poverty”

Countries must decide whether they support North Korea or those opposed to its nuclear and missile programs, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has said, vowing to “call out” states backing Pyongyang. …

A Kazakh journalist and civic activist has accused authorities of involvement in his stabbing as he was traveling by train to meet European officials to discuss media freedoms in the Central Asian state. …

The U.S. Treasury says it has imposed sanctions against five people and five entities accused of providing support to Syria’s government or linked to those previously sanctioned over the Syrian government’s reprisals against its citizens. …

A Kremlin-connected billionaire has sued Tthe Associated Press for defamation and libel over a report on his business ties to U.S. President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman. …

It looks like the time has finally come for residents across Africa to start using their most abundant natural power source. While building power plants and transmission lines takes years and costs much more, installing solar panels is quicker and more affordable for individual home owners, businesses and farmers. VOA’s George Putic reports. …

The streets of tiny York Springs, Pennsylvania are often empty these days. “For Rent” signs are posted in front of some of the houses, a mix of brick and clapboard structures; where a few years ago, residents say, there was no rental housing to be had.  “Before it was different; it was more relaxed, people …

Read more “Pennsylvania Farmers Fear Labor Shortage Amid Immigration Fears”

One of the effects of progressive muscle diseases like cerebral palsy is muscle stiffness. There are drugs and therapies that are supposed to help but gauging their effectiveness is challenging. Now there’s a high-tech way that may help provide relief for patients. VOA’s Kevin Enochs reports. …

In a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 16, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to press the United States to stop arming Syrian Kurdish rebels he says are linked to Kurdish militant groups in Turkey. …