European Union leaders will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday in Brussels to discuss boosting defense spending for Ukraine, as well as Europe’s own security in the face of Russia. The meeting comes amid fears that the United States’ longtime support to Europe may end. But does the EU have the leadership, means …
Read more “Rearming Europe? EU tested to turn talk into action”
NEW YORK — The Pritzker Prize, dubbed the “Nobel” for architecture, was awarded Tuesday to China’s Liu Jiakun, who was recognized for designs that celebrate “everyday lives.” “In a global context where architecture is struggling to find adequate responses to fast evolving social and environmental challenges, Liu Jiakun has provided convincing answers that also celebrate the …
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Paris — With Washington’s sudden pause on military aid to Ukraine as a backdrop, worried European Union leaders meet in Brussels Thursday to discuss steps to beef up EU defenses against Russia. “The question is no longer whether Europe’s security is threatened in a very real way, or whether Europe should shoulder more of its responsibility …
Read more “Re-arming Europe? EU tested to turn talk into action”
Moscow — President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday praised Russia’s developing ties with Myanmar, during a visit by the Asian country’s junta chief to its key ally. Russia is a crucial arms supplier to the isolated state, which is struggling to quell violent opposition to the junta’s military rule. “The relations between our countries are steadily developing,” …
Read more “Putin hails Myanmar ties as junta chief visits Moscow”
BELGRADE, SERBIA — At least three lawmakers were injured on Tuesday, one of them seriously, after chaotic scenes in Serbia ‘s parliament, during which smoke bombs and flares were thrown, further fueling political tensions in the Balkan country. Lawmakers were scheduled to vote on a law that would increase funding for university education, but opposition parties …
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Rome — Pope Francis rested early Tuesday after he suffered further setbacks in his fight against double pneumonia: two new acute respiratory crises that required him to resume using noninvasive mechanical ventilation to breathe. In its early Tuesday update, the Vatican said: “The pope slept through the night, now rest continues.” Francis suffered the two crises …
Read more “Pope resting after acute breathing crises forced him to resume noninvasive ventilation “
As Ukraine’s war enters its fourth year, 6.8 million Ukrainians remain refugees. Researchers say fewer than half plan to return when the war ends. From Kyiv, Lesia Bakalets reports on what can be done to encourage more of them to return to their homeland. …
President Donald Trump has placed a pause on aid to Ukraine, the White House announced late Monday. “The President has been clear that he is focused on peace,” a senior administration official told VOA in an email. The official is not being named, as is customary when engaging with reporters. “We need our partners to …
London — Britain’s King Charles III welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday as the monarch faces criticism in Canada over being silent about U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated suggestion that the U.S. annex its northern neighbor. While royal officials did not provide details about the private talks at the monarch’s royal residence Sandringham, the …
Read more “King Charles meets with Trudeau amid Trump’s annexation comments”
Washington — An event celebrating Muslim Heritage month in the U.K. on March 11, sponsored by TikTok, is being criticized by Uyghur rights activists. The event’s organizer, Muslim Women’s Network UK, sent out an invitation that stated “The event will bring together interfaith organizations, content creators and parliamentarians to celebrate the cultural contribution of Muslims in …
Read more “TikTok’s sponsorship of UK Muslim event sparks criticism”
The Vatican said Monday that Pope Francis suffered two new episodes of “acute respiratory insufficiency,” with a prognosis that “remains guarded.” The pope’s condition is the result of “a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm,” the Vatican said in a statement. The Vatican said Francis, 88, underwent two bronchoscopies to remove the mucus …
Read more “Pope Francis’ prognosis is ‘guarded’ after suffering new breathing crises”
President Donald Trump says the Ukrainian leader’s assessment that the end of Russia’s war with his country “is still very, very far away” is “the worst statement” he could have made and that “America will not put up with it for much longer!” After Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in a heated exchange …
Read more “Zelenskyy, Trump spar anew about Russia’s war on Ukraine”
BANGKOK — The head of Myanmar’s military government arrived in Russia on Monday on an official visit to a major ally of the Southeast Asian nation that has been shunned by much of the West for overthrowing a democratically elected government and subsequent brutal repression. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who landed in Moscow on Monday …
Read more “Myanmar’s head of military government travels to ally Russia for talks with Putin”
BERLIN — One person was killed and others injured when a car rammed into a crowd Monday in the western German city of Mannheim, police said as they asked the public to stay away from the downtown area and remain in their homes. A suspect is in custody. Police spokesperson Stefan Wilhelm said that a driver …
Read more “Driver rams car into crowd in western Germany, leaving 1 person dead, others injured”
A Russian drone attack cost 29-year-old Fedir Samborskyi a leg, an arm, and part of his vision. But after nine months of treatment, he started his own business in Kyiv – a coffee shop run by veterans like himself. Anna Kosstutschenko has the story. Camera: Pavel Suhodolskiy …
Rome — Pope Francis remained in stable condition and didn’t need any mechanical ventilation Sunday, the Vatican said. It was a sign that he had overcome the possible complications from a respiratory crisis Friday and that his breathing function overall was improving as he recovers from pneumonia. The 88-year-old pope did continue to receive high flow …
A French company that makes a key component in night vision systems used by some NATO countries announced Monday it is building a new factory in the United States amid a push for NATO members to increase their defense spending. Exosens said the new factory in the northeastern state of Massachusetts is expected to begin …
Read more “French company announces new US factory for night vision goggles component”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday his country remained ready to sign a rare earth minerals deal with the United States, and that he believes he can salvage relations with U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters after a gathering of European leaders in Britain, Zelenskyy said he thinks the United States will also be …
Read more “Zelenskyy says possible to repair ties with US, sign minerals deal”
LOS ANGELES — Adrien Brody took home his second leading man Oscar for “The Brutalist,” Mikey Madison took home the best actress statuette and “Anora” was crowned best picture on its way to five awards Sunday. Kieran Culkin won the Oscar for best supporting actor for his work on “A Real Pain” and Zoe Saldaña won …
Sydney — A Lithuanian rower was rescued from storm-tossed seas off Australia on Monday after paddling into a tropical cyclone while trying to cross the Pacific Ocean alone. An Australian navy vessel plucked long-distance rower Aurimas Mockus from the Coral Sea, where Tropical Cyclone Alfred on Monday was whipping up 100-kilometer (60-mile) per hour winds …
Read more “Lithuanian rower plucked from path of tropical cyclone off Australia”
London — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday he would speak with King Charles III about defending Canada’s sovereignty, as President Donald Trump repeatedly calls for it to become the 51st U.S. state. Trump’s comments have been met with outrage in Canada, with officials firmly rejecting any discussion of it ever becoming a part of the …
Read more “Trudeau to talk with King Charles on defending Canada ‘sovereignty’”
Tbilisi, Georgia — The acting leader of Abkhazia has won a presidential election in the breakaway Georgian region, state media said Sunday, months after his predecessor was driven from office following protests over an investment deal with Russia. Acting President Badra Gunba took almost 55% of the vote in Saturday’s election in the Russia-backed territory, ahead …
Read more “Abkhazia’s acting leader wins presidential election, state media say”
LOS ANGELES — “Captain America: Brave New World” kept falling but still hovered above all others at a weak weekend box office. The latest Disney-Marvel offering brought in another $15 million according to studio estimates Sunday, when most of Hollywood’s attention was on the Oscars. The Anthony Mackie-led “Captain America: Brave New World” opened strong at …
Read more “‘Captain America: Brave New World’ on top during weak Oscars’ weekend”
Warsaw — Polish cybersecurity services have detected unauthorized access to the Polish Space Agency’s (POLSA) IT infrastructure, Minister for Digitalization Krzysztof Gawkowski said Sunday. “In connection with the incident, the systems under attack were secured … Intensive operational activities are also underway to identify who is behind the cyberattack,” Gawkowski wrote on social media platform X, …
Read more “Cyberattack detected at Polish space agency, minister says”