Polls have opened in Turkey’s high-stakes presidential and parliamentary elections, which could consolidate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s hold on power or curtail his political ambitions. Voters began gathering at polling centers early Sunday to cast their ballots in the elections that complete Turkey’s transition to a new executive presidential system that was approved in a controversial referendum last year. Erdogan, who has been in power since 2003, is vying for a new five-year term… Read Full Article

Before it became one of the venues for the World Cup, the city of Volgograd in southwest Russia was famous for an overabundance of small, annoying flies called midges. While the small two-winged flies don't bite, soccer fans are finding that they don't leave you alone either. VOA's Mariama Diallo takes a look at what Russian officials are doing to make the sporting life more comfortable for World Cup fans and players.

Jehovah's Witnesses have a long history of being persecuted around the world. Their activities are banned or restricted in several countries. They are considered an extremist organization in Russia, while their members are imprisoned in South Korea and Eritrea. Even near their main headquarters and publishing house in New York state, Jehovah's Witnesses lead a somewhat secluded life. VOA's Anush Avetisyan has the story.

Globalization in the 20th century facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas and technology. But it also helped spread deadly germs and viruses around the world. A new exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History illustrates the impact of these sometimes lethal biological linkages and looks back at the deadliest and scariest epidemics throughout history. Maxim Moskalkov has more.

In New York, Auxiliary Police Officers act as liaison between communities and the police department. Recently, Gursoch Kaur made headlines when she became the first female Sikh officer to serve in the Auxiliary Unit wearing a dastar, the traditional Sikh turban. Usually dastars are worn by Sikh men, but some women choose to wear them to raise awareness about their religion. VOA reporter Aunshuman Apte spoke to Gursoch Kaur to learn why she made that choice and how the community is reacting.

The U.S. Homeland Security Department said late Saturday the government has reunited 522 children separated from adults as part of a “zero tolerance” initiative and plans to reunite another 16 children in the next 24 hours. The department said in a statement U.S. Customs and Border Protection expects a small number of children separated for reasons other than zero tolerance would remain separated, including if the familial relationship cannot be confirmed. President Donald Trump on… Read Full Article

The prince embarks on the first official royal visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Sunday she had named her newborn daughter Neve Te Aroha as she prepared to leave hospital amid an outpouring of public excitement. Ardern appeared before dozens of reporters and a flurry of camera flashes at Auckland City Hospital in her first appearance since giving birth, thanking the public for their support as her 3-day-old daughter slept in her arms. “We really just wanted to say thank you and that we’re all doing really well. Sleep… Read Full Article

Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior adviser, said that he is “ready to work” with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a newspaper reported Sunday. Kushner, who is married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, spoke in an interview with the Palestinian newspaper Al Quds, the Arabic name for Jerusalem. In the interview, which was headlined, “I am ready to work with President Abbas, if he wishes” and published in Arabic, Kushner gave a direct message to the Palestinian people: “You… Read Full Article

The president of Zimbabwe escaped injury in an explosion at a campaign rally. Emmerson Mnangagwa said Saturday the device “exploded a few inches from me, but it is not my time.” The blast happened seconds after Mnangagwa finished addressing the stadium crowd in Bulawayo, an opposition stronghold. The president said there have been “so many” attempts on his life that he is used to them. State media called the attack an assassination attempt. State television says 42 people were… Read Full Article