Author: Fworld
New TikTok Lite app raises concerns in EU
17/04/2024
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Microsoft finds Russian influence operations targeting US election have begun
17/04/2024
SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft said on Wednesday that Russian online campaigns to influence the upcoming U.S. presidential election kicked into gear over the past 45 days, but at a slower pace than in past elections. Russia-linked accounts are disseminating divisive content aimed at U.S. audiences, including criticizing American support of Ukraine in its war with Russia, …
Russian shelling severely damages Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Dam
17/04/2024
In late March, Russian shelling severely damaged Ukraine’s largest hydroelectric plant. The attack on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Station and dam in the frontline city of Zaporizhzhia is a challenge for locals and those living both up and downstream. Eva Myronova has the story, narrated by Anna Rice. …
Ukrainian officials say deadly Russian missile attack hits Chernihiv
17/04/2024
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At 12, China-central and eastern Europe group faces growing pains
17/04/2024
Vienna, Austria — Next week, China will mark the 12th anniversary of a group for central and eastern European countries it established to grow its influence in the EU. But when it does, there will be no high-level activities or celebrations to mark the group’s creation. Since 2019, the frequency of meetings between China and central …
International donors pledge more than $2.13B for Sudan
17/04/2024
One year after Sudan’s war started, international donors pledged over $2.13 billion dollars in funding for the country at a conference in Paris. Meanwhile, the U.N. says the looming famine in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, is unprecedented, and human rights activists are calling for justice for the “coordinated” ethnic killings that continue in Darfur. Henry Wilkins …
Moscow sharpens warnings to Israel, in apparent pivot to Iran
17/04/2024
Moscow has avoided condemning Iran’s attack against Israel while calling on Israeli leaders to exercise restraint. Analysts say the Kremlin’s statements suggest it has chosen Iran as a preferred partner and abandoned the delicate diplomatic balance that it cultivated for decades in the region. Steve Baragona narrates this report by Ricardo Marquina. …
German chancellor urges China to use ‘influence’ to end Ukraine war
16/04/2024
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Facing Republican revolt, House Speaker Johnson pushes ahead on US aid for Ukraine, Israel
16/04/2024
Washington — Defiant and determined, House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed back Tuesday against mounting Republican anger over his proposed U.S. aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other allies, and rejected a call to step aside or risk a vote to oust him from office. “I am not resigning,” Johnson said after a testy morning meeting of …
Ukraine downs 9 drones from Russian attacks
16/04/2024
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Biden hosts Czech leader to promote Ukraine aid amid delay in Congress
16/04/2024
washington — President Joe Biden urged the U.S. House to immediately take up Senate-passed supplemental funding for Ukraine and Israel on Monday as he hosted Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in the Oval Office. The visit came as Biden aimed to highlight the efforts other nations are making to support Ukraine. It followed the Czech government’s …
Zelenskyy calls for same defense from allies as for Israel
16/04/2024
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German chancellor promotes fair competition, warns against overproduction during China visit
15/04/2024
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US citizen arrested in Moscow on drug charges appears in court
15/04/2024
Moscow — A U.S. citizen arrested on drug charges in Moscow amid soaring Russia-U.S. tensions over Ukraine appeared in court on Monday. Robert Woodland Romanov is facing charges of trafficking large amounts of illegal drugs as part of an organized group — a criminal offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison. He was remanded …
Ukrainian officials report deadly Russian shelling in eastern Ukraine
15/04/2024
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At birthplace of Olympics, performers at flame-lighting ceremony feel a pull of ancient past
15/04/2024
ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece — No one knows what music in ancient Greece sounded like or how dancers once moved. Every two years, a new interpretation of the ancient performance gets a global audience. It takes place in southern Greece at a site many still consider sacred: the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Forty-eight performers, chosen in …
Rising waters in Russia’s Kurgan region expected to peak on Monday
15/04/2024
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Private California school sponsoring students from Ukraine, Afghanistan
15/04/2024
A private high school in California has provided scholarships to three refugee students — one from Ukraine and two from Afghanistan. VOA’s Genia Dulot has the story of an American educator who has even opened her home to the two Afghans teens as they complete their studies. …
AI-generated fashion models could bring more diversity to industry — or leave it with less
15/04/2024
Chicago, Illinois — London-based model Alexsandrah has a twin, but not in the way you’d expect: Her counterpart is made of pixels instead of flesh and blood. The virtual twin was generated by artificial intelligence and has already appeared as a stand-in for the real-life Alexsandrah in a photo shoot. Alexsandrah, who goes by her first …
Polish abortion opponents march against steps to liberalize strict law
14/04/2024
WARSAW — Thousands of Polish opponents of abortion marched Sunday in Warsaw to protest recent steps by the new government to liberalize the predominantly Catholic nation’s strict laws and allow termination of pregnancy until the 12th week. Many participants in the downtown march were pushing prams with children, while others were carrying white-and-red national flags or …
Zelenskyy warns against Russia’s and Iran’s coordinated ‘terror’ attacks
14/04/2024
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Germany’s Scholz arrives in China on a visit marked by trade tensions, Ukraine conflict
14/04/2024
BEIJING — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in China on Sunday on a visit focused on the increasingly tense economic relationship between the sides and differences over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Scholz’s first destination was the industrial hub of Chongqing, where he and his delegation of ministers and business leaders were to visit a partially German-funded …
Archeologists find frescoes of Trojan War figures in Pompeii
14/04/2024
rome, italy — Archaeologists excavating new sites in Pompeii have uncovered a sumptuous banquet hall decorated with intricately frescoed mythological characters inspired by the Trojan War, officials said Thursday. The hall, which features a mosaic floor, was uncovered as part of a project to shore up the areas dividing the excavated and unexcavated parts of Pompeii, …
Germany making it easier for people to legally change their name, gender
14/04/2024
BERLIN — German lawmakers on Friday approved legislation that will make it easier for transgender, intersex and nonbinary people to change their name and gender in official records. The “self-determination law,” one of several social reforms that Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s liberal-leaning coalition government pledged when it took office in late 2021, is set to take effect …
Vatican complains after French court rules in favor of dismissed nun
13/04/2024
ROME — The Holy See has formally protested to France after a French court ruled that a former high-ranking Vatican official was liable for what the court determined to be the wrongful dismissal of a nun from a religious order. According to French media, the Lorient tribunal on April 3 ruled in favor of the nun, …
Diplomat tapped as Latvia’s new FM as incumbent quits amid scandal
13/04/2024
HELSINKI — The head of Latvia’s government tapped an experienced diplomat to become the Baltic nation’s new foreign minister after the incumbent stepped down earlier this week amid a criminal probe over alleged misuse of government funds. The ruling center-right New Unity party decided to back the nomination of Baiba Braze, 57, who is currently the …