Yulia Tymoshenko eliminated in first round after falling short
Ukraine is preparing for three weeks of impassioned political campaigning, as a television comedian goes head-to-head with the incumbent for the presidency. As widely predicted, satirist Volodymyr Zelenskiy easily won the first round of voting Sunday with around 30% of the ballots. President Petro Poroshenko came in second with around 16%. As Henry Ridgwell reports, the newcomer's policy positions are likely to come under greater scrutiny ahead of the April 21 runoff.
Experts say Moscow hopes to unseat pro-Western incumbent Petro Poroshenko
Russia is trying to influence the outcome of the upcoming presidential election in Ukraine by stirring up division and amplifying negative news stories, according to analysts. With no openly pro-Russian candidates taking part in Sunday's poll, analysts warn Moscow has resorted to using social media and covert influence on local media outlets to try to disrupt the election. Henry Ridgwell reports from Kyiv.
The city of Mariupol lies on the Azov Sea, next to the front lines of Ukraine's war against Russian-backed rebels. The conflict has touched everyone's lives as the danger of an escalation looms over the city. Moscow's continued detention of 24 Ukrainian sailors seized just offshore in November underlines the threat. Faced with such challenges, how do the people here view Sunday's presidential election, and who holds the key to ending the conflict? Henry Ridgwell reports from the city.
Russia restricts shipping to port of Mariupol, cutting $7.5 million of business
Voters hope next president will kickstart rural economy, bring jobs
As Ukraine prepares to choose its next president in elections scheduled Sunday, one of the biggest challenges remains its sluggish economy. Henry Ridgwell reports from Podilske, one hundred and forty kilometers southeast of Kyiv, where the local mayor is trying to stop the exodus of young people leaving the village.
Ukraine is getting set to choose a new president – with the first round of voting scheduled for March 31. The leading two candidates will then face a run off two weeks later to determine who will lead a country still at war with Russia. As Henry Ridgwell reports from Kyiv, the election now appears to be a three-way race between the incumbent Petro Poroshenko, the well-known politician Yulia Tymoshenko, and a television comedian – who has come out of nowhere to lead the polls.
First round of voting in scheduled for Sunday
European allies of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban have suspended his party from their center-right alliance in Brussels, citing concerns over the rule of law and attacks on EU leaders. It follows a pledge by the United States to support free media and civil society groups in Hungary, who say they are under attack from the government. Orban has refuted such claims and hopes the European Parliament elections in May change the power dynamics of the bloc. Henry Ridgwell reports.
In the aftermath of the Crimean invasion, Putin’s approval ratings soared, but now they are now falling fast
This week marks the fifth anniversary of Russia’s forceful annexation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea. The United States and its allies imposed wide-ranging sanctions on Moscow following the invasion – and analysts say the economic impact is denting approval ratings for Russian President Vladimir Putin, as Henry Ridgwell reports.
Eighteen-hour train links Kyiv with Mariupol, six kilometers from the conflict zone
Ukraine is gearing up for presidential elections at the end of this month, a vote that holds huge implications for a country still at war with Russian-backed separatists. There are other issues on the agenda too – not least getting around this vast country. The dilapidated infrastructure means long night trains are the only practical transport. VOA’s Henry Ridgwell jumped on board to chat with some of the passengers heading east.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, words that evoke colorful images of lost riches. While debate continues over where the gardens were located, or even if they existed at all, researchers have collated decades of research to produce what they claim is the most stunningly accurate portrayal of what the gardens looked like when they were built, 2½ millennia ago. Henry Ridgwell reports.
Washington demands Britain open its market to American chicken and beef exports
London and Washington are beginning exploratory talks over a trade deal after Britain leaves the European Union – which both sides say could deliver huge economic benefits. But already sharp differences have emerged over what might be included, as Britain resists U.S. demands to open its markets to agricultural products currently banned under EU law. Henry Ridgwell reports from London.
Some US cities and parts of Asia are already operating 5G mobile networks, but Huawei has been banned from 5G rollout in the US
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