“Ceasefires, Crackdowns, and Climate Tech: April 15 Headlines Explained”

On today’s Voice of America – Hard News, we break down the critical events shaping global politics, diplomacy, and innovation. The U.S. Senate narrowly avoids a government shutdown—again—while Donald Trump doubles down outside the courtroom. Overseas, Russia signals unexpected openness to a Ukraine ceasefire, and the U.S. expels South Africa’s ambassador in a major diplomatic shakeup.

We also explore the unsettling rise of surveillance drones enforcing hijab laws in Iran, China’s latest crackdown on youth screen time, and how dirt-powered sensors could revolutionize farming. Plus, why South Korea’s birth rate may be rising—and no one knows why.

From Washington to Tehran, Beijing to the Pacific Ocean, this episode is packed with the sharp analysis and bold stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Tune in, stay informed, and question everything.