Month: June 2024

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new york — The United States and its allies warned Friday that expanding military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is dangerous, illegal and a growing threat to the wider international community. “Last week, Russian and DPRK leaders signed a ‘Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,’ paving the way for further deepening their military cooperation,” Robert Wood, …

Read more “US, allies warn of North Korea-Russia military cooperation”

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OXFORD, England, — Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and his wife took a trip down memory lane Friday, the final day of their weeklong stay in Britain, with a visit to the medieval university city of Oxford where they both studied in the 1980s. The imperial couple’s formal state visit concluded Thursday with a goodbye from King Charles …

Read more “Japan’s emperor, wife take trip down memory lane during UK visit”

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Kyiv, Ukraine — Lacking sufficient anti-aircraft systems to repel Russia’s unrelenting attacks, Ukraine is pushing its European allies to establish a no-fly zone in the west of the country by deploying air defense systems in neighboring Poland and Romania, officials told AFP. Kyiv would like to create a safe space in western Ukraine where industry, energy …

Read more “Kyiv pushes allies to create no-fly zone in western Ukraine”

brussels — European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to nominate Ursula von der Leyen of Germany for a second five-year term as president of the European Commission, the EU’s powerful executive body. At a summit in Brussels, the bloc’s 27 national leaders also picked former Portuguese Premier Antonio Costa as the future chair of their European …

Read more “EU leaders pick von der Leyen for second term as European Commission chief”

Seoul — South Korea said Thursday that it would consider sending arms to Ukraine, a major policy change that was suggested after Russia and North Korea rattled the region and beyond by signing a pact to come to each other’s defense in the event of war.  The comments from a senior presidential official came hours after …

Read more “South Korea will consider supplying arms to Ukraine after Russia, North Korea sign strategic pact”

Athens — Greek judicial authorities have jailed the captain and first officer of a yacht ahead of a trial on charges of arson over a forest fire on the island of Hydra believed to have been sparked by fireworks, legal sources said. The two men and the entire crew of the yacht have denied any wrongdoing. …

Read more “Yacht captain jailed ahead of arson trial over Greek island fire”

Madrid — Spain’s leader has pledged to reform the country’s media law next month to stop the spread of fake news, a move criticized by many as a threat to press freedom. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced this month that the new legislation would “end the impunity of some pseudo media largely financed by … the …

Read more “Spain’s proposal to reform media law seen as threat to press freedom”

washington — The recent defense pact between Russia and North Korea could present a diplomatic opportunity for the United States and China to work together for stability on the Korean Peninsula, an issue of mutual interest to both countries, some experts say. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said Monday that China would be “somewhat …

Read more “Closer Russia-North Korea ties may create opportunity for US, China “

BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbian police on Thursday banned a festival that promotes cultural exchange with Kosovo in a sign of growing nationalism and government pressure on liberal voices in the Balkan country. A police statement cited security concerns as the reason to ban the “Mirdita, dobar dan” event that was scheduled to start later Thursday in …

Read more “Serbian police ban cultural festival with Kosovo”

Javelin anti-tank missile systems are part of a new $275 million aid package the U.S. is sending to Ukraine. Since 2022, the Javelin has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance against Russia’s aggression. Anna Kosstutschenko has the story. VOA footage and video editing by Pavel Suhodolskiy. …

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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrived in his home country of Australia a free man Wednesday – after agreeing to a plea deal with U.S. prosecutors over espionage charges. The deal ends an extraordinary 14-year legal odyssey. Supporters of Assange welcomed his release but say the prosecution sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom. Henry Ridgwell …

Read more “Emotional homecoming for WikiLeaks’ Assange, but supporters say free speech under threat”

London — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrived in his home country of Australia a free man Wednesday after agreeing to a plea deal with U.S. prosecutors over espionage charges, ending a 14-year legal odyssey. Supporters of the 52-year-old journalist and political activist welcomed his release, but said the prosecution sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom. …

Read more “Emotional homecoming for WikiLeaks’ Assange”