Britain’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Conservative Party leader, began assembling his political team as soon as he took office Wednesday. New Cabinet members include the country’s first ethnic minority person to head the Treasury and several women. VOA’s Zlatica Hoke reports Johnson’s first day on the job was marked by demonstrations by his … continue reading -> “Boris Johnson Begins Term as Britain’s Prime Minister”

Former special counsel Robert Mueller told members of Congress Wednesday that his investigation into Russian interference in the last presidential election did not exonerate U.S. President Donald Trump of allegedly trying to thwart the investigation. As Mike O’Sullivan reports, Mueller’s comments before two congressional committees drew very different responses from Republicans and Democrats. …

Both Russia and China are denying their military aircraft violated South Korea’s territorial airspace during a joint air patrol Tuesday. The alleged violation happened near a disputed group of islands claimed by both South Korea, which calls it Dokdo, and Japan, which calls it Takeshima.   South Korea’s Defense Ministry says it scrambled multiple fighter … continue reading -> “Russia and China Deny Violating South Korean Airspace”

Officials in Afghanistan say a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-packed vehicle into a NATO military convoy in Kabul Wednesday, killing one Croatian soldier and wounding two others. The early morning attack occurred near a military base on the northern outskirts of the Afghan capital. Croatian officials initially said three soldiers were wounded but later said … continue reading -> “Kabul Blast Kills One Croatian Soldier, Wounds 2 Others”

The U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday it was opening a broad investigation of major digital technology firms into whether they engage in anticompetitive practices, the strongest sign the Trump administration is stepping up its scrutiny of Big Tech. The review will look into “whether and how market-leading online platforms have achieved market power and … continue reading -> “Big Tech Faces Broad US Justice Department Antitrust Probe”

Russian boxer Maxim Dadashev has died from injuries sustained in a fight in Maryland, the Russian boxing federation announced Tuesday.  “Maxim Dadashev has died in the United States following injuries sustained during his fight with Subriel Matias,” the federation said in a statement. The 28-year-old underwent emergency brain surgery in Washington after his super-lightweight bout … continue reading -> “Russian Boxer Maxim Dadashev Dies After Fight”

A senior U.S. official tasked with finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue told the United Nations Tuesday that international law and consensus are not the keys to resolving the decades-old dispute. “Those who continue to call for international consensus on this conflict are doing nothing to encourage the parties to sit down at the … continue reading -> “US Official: International Consensus and Law Not Keys to Resolving Arab-Israeli Dispute”

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval rating hit a new high because of his anti-crime work and populist appeal across class lines, a survey shows. While many nations and groups around the world criticize him, Duterte earned a net satisfaction rating of 68 in the second quarter of 2019, according to a July 8 public opinion … continue reading -> “Why Philippines President, Criticized Abroad, Has Record High Approval”

The lights have gone out across much of Venezuela, snarling traffic in the capital and reviving fears of the blackouts that plunged the country into chaos a few months ago. The power in the capital went out after 4 p.m. (2000 GMT) and immediately backed up traffic as stop lights and the subway stopped working … continue reading -> “Venezuela Capital in the Dark Again After Massive Blackout”

The Milky Way, home to our sun and billions of other stars, merged with another smaller galaxy in a colossal cosmic collision roughly 10 billion years ago, scientists said Monday, based on data from the Gaia space observatory. The union of the Milky Way and the so-called dwarf galaxy Gaia-Enceladus increased our galaxy’s mass by … continue reading -> “Milky Way Melded With Smaller Galaxy in Long-Ago Cosmic Crash”

New Zealand on Monday unveiled the second round of restrictions on gun ownership in the aftermath of a deadly shooting at two mosques in Christchurch earlier this year. The new rules include establishing a gun registry, banning gun purchases by foreign visitors, and requiring gun owners to renew licenses every five years, instead of every … continue reading -> “New Zealand Announces New Round of Gun Restrictions”

The party of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy won the most votes in Sunday’s parliamentary election giving the president a mandate to carry out sweeping changes in the country beset by conflict and high-level corruption. The former comedian and TV celebrity won a landslide victory in the April 21 presidential election and has called for snap … continue reading -> “Zelenskiy’s Party Leads In Ukrainian Parliamentary Election”

From mobile phones, tablets and laptop computers to all the different types of social media out there, modern day society as a whole is distracted in a way it never has before.  Scientists have noticed that as technology becomes more prevalent, people are also getting fatter.  VOA’s Elizabeth has the details on a Rice University … continue reading -> “Could Being Distracted by Your Phone Cause Weight Gain?”

Education has been a key issue for Democratic candidates running for president in the 2020 race, especially as they seek the support of younger Americans who have now replaced Baby Boomers as the country’s largest voting bloc. But education is not the only concern for these young voters.  Other social issues are likely to motivate … continue reading -> “Education Key Campaign Issue for Younger Voters, But Not the Only One”

As drought-hit towns across New South Wales and Queensland edge closer to completely running out of water, federal and state governments in Australia are trying to come up with ways to guarantee supplies into the future. But on the other side of the continent, the city of Perth is leagues ahead in its water efficiency … continue reading -> “Recycled Water Part of Perth’s Plan to Beat Climate Change in Australia”

British Treasury chief Philip Hammond said Sunday that he will quit if _ as widely expected — Boris Johnson becomes prime minister this week on a promise to leave the European Union with or without a divorce deal.   Hammond said Johnson’s vow to press for a no-deal Brexit if he can’t secure a new agreement … continue reading -> “UK Treasury Chief Vows to Quit if Boris Johnson Becomes PM”

The United Nations says conditions in Syria continue to deteriorate and humanitarian needs for millions of civilians remain acute across the war-torn country.  U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi’s job is to keep tabs on the humanitarian situation in Syria. She said conditions in this country, which has been at war for more than … continue reading -> “UN: Humanitarian Situation in Syria Continues to Deteriorate”

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday that Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven had assured him American citizen and rapper A$AP Rocky would be treated fairly.    Trump said he assured Lofven that Rocky was not a flight risk and personally vouched for his bail.    Swedish prosecutors on Friday extended Rocky’s detention by six days amid their investigation … continue reading -> “Trump Says Swedish PM Assured Him of Fair Treatment for US Rapper”

Pakistan organized its first ever provincial elections Saturday in a northwestern region along the mountainous border with Afghanistan that until a few years ago was condemned as the “epicenter” of international terrorism. Pakistani officials said the elections in the seven districts of what were formerly known as the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) are central … continue reading -> “Pakistan Holds Historic Vote in Former ‘Epicenter’ of Terror”

Saudi-coalition spokesman Col. Turki al Maliki says that coalition fighter jets took out at least five Houthi air defense sites around the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, early Saturday. Amateur video showed a number of explosions rocking Sanaa, overnight.  Amateur video broadcast by Arab media showed a series of explosions around the Yemeni capital Sana’a, early Saturday, … continue reading -> “Saudi Coalition Says it Destroyed Houthi Ballistic Missiles Around Yemeni Capital”

The Wall Street Journal says Equifax will pay around $700 million to settle with the Federal Trade Commission over a 2017 data breach that exposed Social Security numbers and other private information of nearly 150 million people. The Journal, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, said the settlement could be announced as soon as … continue reading -> “Report: Equifax to Pay $700 Million in Breach Settlement”

The United States and Pakistan this month started cracking down against armed militant groups, in what analysts describe as establishing a groundwork ahead of the meeting between the U.S. President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Washington early next week. Pakistani authorities in Punjab province Wednesday arrested the head of the Lashkar-e-Taiba … continue reading -> “Pakistan, US Take Action Against Militants Ahead of Trump-Khan Meeting”

Marylou Whitney, a successful thoroughbred breeder and owner whose family helped keep Saratoga Race Course open in the 1970s, has died. She was 93.  The New York Racing Association said she died Friday at her estate in Saratoga Springs after a long illness. No further details were provided.  Whitney became the first woman in 80 years … continue reading -> “‘Queen of Saratoga’ Marylou Whitney Dies at 93”

An area in northwestern Pakistan known for militant activities and the Taliban’s presence holds a special election Saturday. The vote is part of an effort that began last year to merge the former lawless tribal belt into a neighboring province. VOA’s Ayesha Tanzeem reports on how the change is impacting the region.   …

As Libya’s two rival governments fight for control of the capital, Tripoli, airstrikes and artillery fire continue to batter the city. Nearly 1,100 people have died and more than 100,000 have been displaced by the war. As VOA’s Heather Murdock reports from Tripoli, officials say if the fighting does not slow down, the country is … continue reading -> “Living and Dying in Battle for Libya’s Capital”