How should the world protect itself from natural disasters and climate change - and who should pay for it? Those questions are being debated at the U.N.’s World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan -- which was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011. As delegates try to agree on a new framework, the aftermath of Cyclone Pam in the South Pacific is reminding participants of the urgency of a deal. Henry Ridgwell reports from Sendai for VOA.
Sendai Disaster Risk Reduction conference convened amid Cyclone Pam destruction in South Pacific
Proposed new laws in Iran would restrict women’s access to birth control and jobs, according to the human rights group Amnesty International. The legislation is aimed at halting Iran’s plunging birth rate and declining population -- seen in Tehran as a major threat to the future of the country. Henry Ridgwell looks at the demographic challenges ahead.
Amnesty International says Tehran wants to turn young women into 'baby-making machines' by restricting use of contraceptives and excluding them from labor market
Top U.S. officials are warning of the dangers of a growing gap between defense spending by the U.S. compared to Europe at a time of heightened tensions with Russia over Ukraine. The warnings come as U.S. tanks and warships are being deployed in Europe as part of ongoing NATO training operations. Henry Ridgwell reports from London on NATO's defense spending shortfalls.
With Russia building its forces, US diplomats say NATO allies in Europe should recognize scale of the threat
Nigeria is suffering a gas shortage as the falling oil price has affected the country’s ability to import and distribute refined fuels. Coming just weeks before scheduled March 28 elections, the shortage could have a big impact on the campaign, as Henry Ridgwell reports for VOA.
Falling oil prices have affected country’s ability to import and distribute refined fuels - and it's having a strong ripple effect throughout nation's economy
It's a phenomenon that is happening with increasing frequency across the world as part of the IS foreign recruitment drive for both male fighters and potential female partners
The identity of the masked man who has appeared in several Islamic State videos showing the beheading of foreign hostages has been widely reported as Kuwaiti-born Briton Mohammed Emwazi. He was previously known to British security services -- and questions are now being asked of why they did not prevent him from traveling to Syria. Henry Ridgwell reports from London.
Why didn't British security services stop computer science graduate Mohammed Emwazi from leaving Britain to join IS?
As the Arab Spring swept across the Middle East and North Africa in 2011, Gulf States largely avoided the turmoil seen elsewhere. But there are warnings that the Gulf monarchies are dangerously out of touch with younger generations - and the falling price of oil is destroying the traditional economic bargain between the state and its people. Henry Ridgwell reports from London.
Across the Gulf, younger generations are putting a strain on traditional politics
Analysts say Kremlin chief, with paranoid world view that harks back to his KGB days, will use any means to win back Russia’s greatness
Despite Russia’s crisis-hit economy, approval ratings for President Vladimir Putin are near record highs. Western sanctions against Moscow have failed to curb Russian interference in Ukraine. As Henry Ridgwell reports from London, Putin analysts say the former spy is determined to restore Russia to what he sees as its rightful place in the world - by any means available.
Stock markets in the United States hit record highs Friday after Greece and its eurozone creditors agreed in principle on a deal to extend emergency aid to Athens — staving off the threat of imminent bankruptcy. But bigger hurdles lie ahead. VOA's Henry Ridgwell reports.
Yemen’s political parties are close to signing a deal that could prevent the country from sliding into civil conflict, according to the U.N. special envoy to the country. There are fears that a descent into civil war could draw in rival powers Iran and Saudi Arabia. VOA's Henry Ridgwell reports.
Political parties signal they are close to signing deal to create transitional council that could help avert looming civil war
As the United Nations Security Council held an emergency session on the Libyan crisis Wednesday, Italy urged the international community to ‘change pace’ in its reaction to the lawlessness gripping that country. There are fears that the terror group known as the Islamic State is securing a growing foothold in Libya, after militants released a video showing the beheadings of Egyptian Christians over the weekend -- prompting retaliatory airstrikes by Cairo. Henry Ridgwell reports from London.
Greece has threatened to seek financial help from Russia if negotiations to ease the terms of its European Union bailout collapse, angering European leaders who feel Moscow has been fueling the conflict in Ukraine. Henry Ridgwell reports from London.
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