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NATO and allied nations have agreed to step up their military support for Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion, following a meeting hosted by the U.S. Secretary of Defense who warned that weapons must be delivered quickly as the war enters a crucial phase. Henry Ridgwell reports.
Once a tourist resort and haven for wildlife, California’s largest lake – the Salton Sea – is now one of the most polluted. High levels of salt and toxic chemicals have killed most of its fish and threatens residents. Mike O’Sullivan reports from Bombay Beach, California. Camera: O'Sullivan, Roy Kim.
Rising seas from climate change are forcing difficult choices for coastal communities around the world. The southern U.S. state of Louisiana plans to spend billions restoring land it has already lost to erosion. But the plan has winners and losers. Video: Steve Baragona, Arturo Martinez
Vice President Kamala Harris has tested positive for COVID-19, though she is experiencing no symptoms, her office announced Tuesday. In a statement, the vice president’s Press Secretary Kirsten Allen said Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on rapid and PCR tests. The statement said she will isolate and continue to work from her residence. Allen said the vice president has not been a close contact to U.S. President Joe Biden or First Lady Jill Biden, due to their respective recent travel schedules. “She will follow CDC guidelines and the advice of her physicians. The Vice President will return to the White House when she tests negative,” the statement said. The 57-year-old vice president has been vaccinated and received two booster shots, the latest shot on April 1. Some information for this report was provided by the Associated Press and Reuters.
In the highest-profile U.S. visit since the war began, two of President Joe Biden’s top Cabinet members visited Ukraine’s capital to offer President Volodymyr Zelenskyy another large arms package and to announce a new top U.S. diplomat — as Russia continues its deadly advance. This report from VOA White House correspondent Anita Powell.
The turbulent 1970s brought a wave of immigrants into America from Southeast to escape war and persecution. One such group founded a home in the (Western) state of Washington to preserve their identities and continue to welcome new refugees. VOA’s Virginia Gunawan reports.
There appears to be no end in sight to Russia's invasion of Ukraine as the war enters its third month. Now, some Americans are trying to join the battle to defend Ukraine. Nina Vishneva has the story, narrated by Anna Rice. Videographers: Alexander Barash, Dmitry Vershinin
During Ramadan, communal iftars, or breaking of fasts for Muslims in mosques, are the norm in the United States, but since the coronavirus pandemic began, drive-through food distributions have become popular. VOA's Faiza Bukhari takes us behind the scenes at one of Virginia's Islamic centers, where a daily drive-through iftar for roughly 800 people is organized. Camera and video editing by Qazafi Babar.
U.S. President Joe Biden is returning to in-person political fundraising with the easing of coronavirus precautions that limited his exposure to large crowds. The president’s ability to draw political donations is especially important for Democrats as the face serious challenges to sustain their majorities in the House and Senate. VOA’s Natasha Mozgovaya has the story from Seattle.
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday and accepted his invitation to visit Israel in the coming months. The White House said the two leaders discussed “shared regional and global security challenges, including the threat posed by Iran and its proxies.” A statement said Biden “took note of ongoing efforts between Israeli and Palestinian officials to lower tensions and ensure a peaceful conclusion to the holy season of Ramadan.” As past U.S. leaders have done, Biden “affirmed his unwavering support for Israel and its defense needs,” the White House said, including a $1 billion allocation to replenish Israel’s anti-missile Iron Dome air defense system.
U.S. officials say they are deeply concerned about ongoing violence in Jerusalem. However, with deadlocks in the Israeli and Palestinian governments and heightened focus on the Ukraine war, there may not be much the Biden administration can do to restart a Middle East peace process. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reports.
A global shortage of microchips is only a part of the difficulty roiling the global automotive industry. As more drivers return to work as pandemic restrictions ease — increasing demand for new vehicles — inventory is scarce. VOA's Kane Farabaugh has more from Chicago.
US President Joe Biden on Thursday announced an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine that includes heavy artillery, tactical vehicles and armed drones. He said the weapons will support the country's needs amid Russia's pivot to refocus the war on the Donbas region. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report.