U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Monday he was “disappointed” to learn ousted National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had lied to him about his contacts with the Russian ambassador in Washington, stressing that he supported President Donald Trump’s decision to fire Flynn from the strategic White House post. Pence, during a news conference at NATO… more
The National Zoo is packing up its American-born panda cub Bao Bao for a one-way flight to China, where the 3-year-old will eventually join a panda breeding program. The cub won’t have to worry about finding overhead bin space or dealing with a talkative seatmate on the 16-hour, nonstop flight Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday.… more
The Iranian military has banned the unauthorized use of drones in the capital Tehran, after several security scares caused by unpiloted aircraft that are increasingly popular with hobbyists and filmmakers. The general staff of the armed forces has issued an edict which means drones may only be used if they have been given permits from… more
As Ukrainians mark the third anniversary of the Maidan uprising that toppled former president Viktor Yanukovich, the U.S. is demanding that Russia honor the Minsk agreements, intended to end the violence in eastern Ukraine. Speaking to leaders gathered at Munich Security Conference, Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday “the United States will continue to… more
Chinese tech giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd has formed a strategic partnership with retail conglomerate Bailian Group, extending a push into bricks-and-mortar retail as online growth slows. The move comes on the heels of a recent purchase of a stake in retailer Suning Commerce Group Co Ltd as well as plans to take a controlling… more
Two key Republican U.S. senators on Sunday questioned President Donald Trump’s competency in handling foreign affairs, especially White House turmoil over national security operations and his seeming reluctance to confront Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential election. Senator John McCain of Arizona, the losing 2008 Republican presidential contender, told NBC’s Meet the Press that he… more
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is making his first visit to Europe since taking office, to reassure allies the United States remains a staunch friend amid concerns about the new administration’s “America First” strategy and its overall approach to global affairs. Pence is scheduled to have dinner with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel Sunday in… more
U.S. President Donald Trump is interviewing four candidates Sunday to be his national security adviser, after a tumultuous week in which he fired one former military leader from the strategic White House post and his first replacement choice turned down the job. Trump is spending the weekend at his lavish oceanfront Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.… more
Twenty years ago Japanese carmaker Toyota unveiled the first version of its hybrid gas-electric car called Prius. By the beginning of 2017, counting all subsequent models, Prius became the best-selling hybrid car in the world with close to 4 million sold. Its latest model, with a battery-charging solar roof, was just unveiled in Japan. VOA’s… more
In his first major foreign policy speech, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has said at the Munich Security Conference that America will be ‘unwavering’ in its support for the NATO alliance – but warned allies that they must step up defense spending. Amid controversy over the Trump administration’s ties to Moscow, Mr. Pence said the… more
While German Chancellor Angela Merkel proposed that European nations strengthen their multilateral ties, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence praised NATO but made no mention of the European Union, fueling concerns about America’s new approach to international affairs. At the Munich Security Conference Saturday, Merkel delivered a speech stressing the importance of supporting organizations such as… more
President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Saturday morning to take another shot at reporters ahead of his planned campaign-style rally Saturday afternoon in Florida, by calling on his followers not to believe “the main stream (fake news) media.” Trump traveled to Florida on Friday to stay at his Mar-a-Lago resort for the weekend. Some… more
On her website, former acrobat Silke Pan has a quote that says: “You are stronger than you ever expected!” She’s had to be. After working as a professional acrobat for years, she was sidelined in 2007 when a fall left her unable to use her legs. Now she is walking again, thanks to a new… more
Most experts agree that we are past the dawn of robotic age, and one of the countries strongly pushing to the forefront is China. As the cost of human labor in China is rising, factories are increasingly replacing production line workers with robots. VOA’s George Putic reports. …… more
U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis has told European allies that American security is tied to that of Europe, describing NATO’s principle of collective defense as a ‘bedrock commitment’. He made the comments at the Munich Security Conference, where heads of state and delegates from across the world are gathered at a time of… more
The Kremlin denied Friday that it has grown frustrated with a lack of progress in improving relations with Washington under President Donald Trump, saying it’s too early to say what course Russia-U.S. ties will take. “We never wore rose-tinted glasses, never had any illusions, so there is nothing to be disappointed with,” Kremlin spokesman… more
Senate Republicans used their majority to confirm Scott Pruitt, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, despite calls from Democrats for a delay. Republicans backed Pruitt, despite a public records lawsuit which ordered Pruitt, who has been serving as Oklahoma’s attorney general, to release thousands of emails that he exchanged with oil… more
Google’s parent company, Alphabet, says the company has made a “breakthrough” on its plans to offer Internet access to rural areas via connected balloons through an endeavor called Project Loon. Initially, the idea was to have a steady stream of balloons circling the globe. When one went out of range in a certain area, another… more
Mark Zuckerberg helped create the modern world by connecting nearly a quarter of its citizens to Facebook and giving them a platform to share, well, everything – baby pictures and Pepe memes, social updates and abusive bullying, helpful how-to videos and live-streamed violence. Now he wants to remake it, too, in a way that counters… more
A smart trap for mosquitoes? A new high-tech version is promising to catch the bloodsuckers while letting friendlier insects escape — and even record the exact weather conditions when different species emerge to bite. Whether it really could improve public health is still to be determined. But when the robotic traps were pilot-tested around Houston… more
President Donald Trump is holding a campaign rally Saturday in politically strategic Florida – 1,354 days before the 2020 election. The unusually early politicking follows a pattern: Trump filed his paperwork for re-election on January 20, Inauguration Day. By comparison, President Barack Obama didn’t make his re-election bid official with the Federal Election Commission… more
President Donald Trump mounted a vigorous defense of his presidency Thursday, pushing back against media reports that his campaign advisers had inappropriate contact with Russian officials and vowing to crack down on the leaking of classified information. Nearly a month into his presidency, Trump said in a free-wheeling White House news conference that his… more
Legislation to repeal Obamacare and replace major portions of the healthcare program will be unveiled after a 10-day U.S. House of Representatives recess that begins on Friday, House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Thursday. Republicans, who control both House and Senate, have been struggling to come up with a detailed plan for replacing former Democratic… more
A rising tide of automation, trade problems and lagging growth in productivity have slashed millions of jobs from the U.S. manufacturing sector. At the same time, a small factory in Massachusetts has been hiring, expanding and exporting. Riverdale Mills hopes to grow further by making unusual products and building a strong workforce. VOA’s Jim Randle… more
Many dogs and cats have it, and now a small company in Belgium says if people carried a personal identifying chip under their skin, modern life could become a lot easier. Others agree, but what if the technology changes? VOA’s George Putic reports. …… more
U.S. retail sales and inflation rose in January, strengthening the case for the central bank to raise interest rates. Retail sales advanced four-tenths of a percent for the month. PNC Bank economists Gush Faucher says the gain is partly due to an improving labor market with “more jobs and rising wages” as workers become more… more