Pro-Russia Supporters Rally in Germany, Face Off With Counterdemonstrators

Pro-Moscow supporters took to the streets in several German cities on April 10 to protest what they call discrimination against Russians. They faced off against demonstrators protesting against Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. German police had to separate the two groups at times to prevent violence. At least two people were arrested amid skirmishes. In …

‘Cabaret,’ ‘Life of Pi’ Win Prizes at UK’s Olivier Awards

Sultry musical “Cabaret” and fantastical literary adaptation “Life of Pi” were among the winners Sunday at British theater’s Olivier Awards, which returned with a live ceremony and a black-tie crowd after a three-year gap imposed by COVID-19. The celebration of London theater, opera and dance came back to London’s Royal Albert Hall for the first …

EU Official Says UK-France Fishing Dispute Nearly Resolved

A post-Brexit row between France and Britain over fishing rights for French boats is nearing resolution after months of negotiations, the EU’s fishing commissioner said in an interview Sunday. “We managed to achieve most of the licenses that have been requested” by the owners of the French vessels to fish in British waters, with only …

Russia Launches New Attacks in Eastern Ukraine 

Russian forces shelled a school and residential buildings in eastern Ukraine on Sunday, local Luhansk officials reported, even as the officials implored residents to escape the region “before it’s too late.” Luhansk Governor Serihy Haidai said three apartment buildings in Severodonetsk burned down and two elderly residents had to be evacuated, but there were no …

Polls Open In 1st Round Of France’s Presidential Election

Polls opened across France on Sunday for the first round of the country’s presidential election, where up to 48 million eligible voters will be choosing between 12 candidates. President Emmanuel Macron is seeking a second five-year term, with a strong challenge from the far right. Polls opened at 8 a.m. Sunday and close at 7 …

NATO Plans Permanent Military Presence at Border, Report Says

NATO is working on plans for a permanent military presence on its border in an effort to battle future Russian aggression, Britain’s The Telegraph newspaper reported, citing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. NATO was “in the midst of a very fundamental transformation” that will reflect “the long-term consequences” of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions, Stoltenberg said …

US Speeds Entry for Ukrainians as More Reach Mexico Border

The United States has sharply increased the number of Ukrainians admitted to the country at the Mexican border as more refugees fleeing the Russian invasion follow the same circuitous route. A government recreation center in the Mexican border city of grew to about 1,000 refugees on Thursday, according to city officials. A canopy under which …

Ukraine War Worsens Already-Dire Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen

The devastation wrought by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has commanded newspaper front pages and nightly news broadcasts since the war began in February. But the effects of the conflict extend far beyond the borders of Ukraine and already are being felt in Yemen, the country mired in what experts see as one of the most …

In France, a Nail-Biting Election as Macron’s Rival Surges

From the market stall outside Paris that she’s run for 40 years, Yvette Robert can see firsthand how soaring prices are weighing on France’s presidential election and turning the first round of voting Sunday into a nail-biter for incumbent President Emmanuel Macron. Shoppers, increasingly worried about how to make ends meet, are buying ever-smaller quantities …

AP Interview: Zelenskyy Seeks Peace Despite Atrocities

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that he is committed to pressing for peace despite Russian attacks on civilians that have stunned the world, and he renewed his plea for countries to send more weapons ahead of an expected surge in fighting in the country’s east. He made the comments in an interview with The …

Putin Reputation ‘Permanently Polluted’ After Bucha Killings, UK’s Johnson Says

The discovery of civilian bodies in Ukrainian towns has “permanently polluted” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reputation, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said during a visit to Kyiv on Saturday. “What Putin has done in places like Bucha and Irpin is war crimes that have permanently polluted his reputation and the reputation of his government,” Johnson …

European Leaders Stream Into Ukraine to Show Solidarity

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Saturday joined the stream of European leaders showing their support for Ukraine by traveling to the nation’s capital for face-to-face meetings with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Johnson’s surprise visit included a pledge of new military assistance, including 120 armored vehicles and new anti-ship missile systems. …

UN Official Calls for Localized Cease-Fires in Ukraine

United Nations humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths is calling for localized cease-fires in war-torn Ukraine to allow humanitarian aid into areas under siege and to allow trapped civilians to leave. Griffiths this week discussed a possible humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Griffiths, the U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief …

Eastern Ukraine Governor Warns of Russian ‘Offensive,’ Urges Residents to Evacuate

Residents of eastern Ukraine were jolted by the sound of air raid sirens Saturday. The region’s governor is warning civilians to evacuate immediately as Russia increases shelling in the area. Governor Serhiy Haidai told a public television station that Russia is “amassing an offensive” on the third of the population that remains in Ukraine’s Luhansk …

Ukrainian Authorities in Bucha Exhuming Multiple Mass Graves

The world is shocked at what has been discovered in the Ukrainian town of Bucha after Russian forces retreated. As residents and authorities investigate the devastation, they are finding mass graves, burned out vehicles and destroyed buildings amid the widespread loss of life. VOA’s Heather Murdock reports on the atrocities in Bucha, which Ukrainian officials …

Spain Bans Harassment of Women Entering Abortion Clinics

Spain is awaiting the publication in coming days of a new law banning the intimidation or harassment of women entering abortion clinics. The law comes into force when it is published in the Government Gazette, possibly next week, after the Spanish Senate on Wednesday endorsed a law passed earlier by parliament. The Senate gave its …

More Civilians Flee East Ukraine After Deadly Station Strike

Civilian evacuations moved forward Saturday in patches of battle-scarred eastern Ukraine a day after a missile strike killed at least 52 people at a train station where thousands were waiting to leave the increasingly vulnerable region before an expected Russian onslaught. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded a tough global response to Friday’s train station attack …

YouTube Blocks Russian Parliament Channel, Drawing Ire From Officials

YouTube has blocked Duma TV which broadcasts from Russia’s lower house of parliament, drawing an angry response from officials who said the world’s most popular streaming service could face restrictions in response. On Saturday, a message on YouTube said the Duma channel had been “terminated for a violation of YouTube’s Terms of Service.” YouTube, owned …

Russia Latest Country to Establish Diplomatic Ties With Taliban

Their government still unrecognized by any country in the world, Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban have found a way to beat international isolation: opening diplomatic ties with neighboring countries and others, with an eye to gaining formal recognition. In recent months, at least four countries — China, Pakistan, Russia and Turkmenistan — have accredited Taliban-appointed diplomats, even …

Darfur Protesters Outside ICC Trial Demand Bashir’s Handover

About 30 Sudanese citizens living in Europe demonstrated Friday outside the International Criminal Court in The Hague, demanding that Sudanese officials surrender more individuals accused of committing atrocities in Darfur. The ICC’s trial of suspected Janjaweed militia leader Ali Kushayb got underway this week, with Kushayb pleading not guilty to 31 counts of war crimes …