Louise Schiavone

Ukraine says that Russian strikes in the last day have killed at least eight people and wounded dozens more across the country.

NPR's Joannika Kisses reports from Kiev that the strikes hit neighborhoods and the energy grid as Russia dismisses calls for a ceasefire.

This is NPR News in Washington.

Officials in Montgomery, Alabama have unveiled statues commemorating two notable women from the state on the Capitol grounds, the first statues of women to be featured there.

Troy Public Radio's Reese England spoke with one of the sculptors.

In Ireland, voters have elected left-wing independent candidate 68-year-old Catherine Connolly as their new president.

That job is mostly ceremonial.

In the African nation of Ivory Coast, the 83-year-old incumbent president is seeking a fourth term.

Several opponents were blocked from challenging the re-election of Alassane Katara, and four others are still on the ballot with him.

Citizens there cast their ballots today.

It's another example of the overall trend in Africa where aged leaders seek to continue in power.

Cameroon's leader is 92.

Uganda's 81.

Equatorial Guinea's is 83.

This despite the fact that Africa's population on average is the youngest in the world.

I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone.

President Trump is taking his first official trip of this presidential term to Asia.

While in the region, the president is saying that he's open to meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the itinerary stops in Malaysia and Japan before arriving in South Korea next week.

NPR's Deepa Shivaram reports.