Section: Voice of America (USA)
Fires Near Chernobyl Increase Radiation Level
Two forest fires near the now defunct Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine have boosted the radiation level in the area. Ukrainian firefighters worked into Sunday night to put the fires under control. Emergency services said one of the fires that spread to an area of about five hectares was contained. The other fire was covering a much larger area,...
Ukraine: Fire Near Contaminated Chernobyl Site Extinguished
Emergency authorities in Ukraine say there are no signs of any fire still burning in the uninhabited exclusion zone around the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear plant after firefighters mobilized to put out a blaze.The country’s State Emergency Service said early on Sunday that background radiation levels were “within normal...
Trump Fires Watchdog Who Handled Ukraine Complaint
President Donald Trump has fired the intelligence watchdog who handled the complaint that triggered his impeachment. Trump informed the Senate intelligence committee Friday of his decision to fire Michael Atkinson, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press.This is a breaking story. Check back with VOA News for further developments....
Prince Charles Opens Fast-Tracked London Hospital
Prince Charles on Friday remotely opened the new Nightingale Hospital at London’s main exhibition and conference center, a temporary facility that will soon be able to treat 4,000 people who have contracted COVID-19. Charles said he was “enormously touched” to be asked to open the temporary facility at the ExCel center in east...
UN Warns Right-Wing Extremist Groups Getting Bolder, More Lethal
Nations around the world are growing increasingly worried about violence linked to extreme right-wing terror groups, with new research showing there has been a 320% jump in the number of related attacks over the past five years.Deadly attacks over the past year, like the shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, and in El Paso, Texas, in the U.S.,...
Putin Urges Action on ‘Challenging’ Energy Market
Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Wednesday for global oil producers and consumers to address “challenging” oil markets, while U.S. President Donald Trump complained that oil cheaper “than water” was hurting the industry.Oil prices fell nearly 70% from January highs as coronavirus lockdowns hammered demand and as...
Fake News or the Truth? Russia Cracks Down on Virus Postings
Two weeks ago, an opposition-leaning radio station in Russia interviewed political analyst Valery Solovei, who alleged the government was lying when it said no one had died in the country from the coronavirus. Solovei told radio station Echo Moskvy at least 1,600 people might have died since mid-January. Russia’s media and internet...
Ukraine Approves Legislation in Bid for IMF Aid
Ukraine’s parliament has voted to lift the ban on the sale of farmland in a move that would allow the country to get $8 billion worth of aid from the International Monetary Fund. The bill, long pushed by economists to stimulate investment in agriculture, was approved by 259 votes out of 450 late Monday. It opens up the land market for...
Russia Proposes Grain Export Quota in Response to Coronavirus
Russia’s Agriculture Ministry has proposed to limit grain exports for three months, it said on Friday, prompting concern among traders that the measures by the world’s largest wheat exporter could be extended. In fellow Black Sea exporter Ukraine, the economy ministry on Friday said it was monitoring wheat exports daily and would take...
The Infodemic: Is COVID-19 Only Dangerous for Older People?
Fake news about the coronavirus can do real harm. Polygraph.info is spotlighting fact-checks from other reliable sources here.Daily DebunkWorld Health Organization COVID-19 PosterClaim: COVID-19 is only dangerous for older people.Verdict: FalseThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data showing 47% of all COVID-19...
