Iran’s accusations against the United States and Israel for the twin blasts in the city of Kerman are baseless. Islamic State took responsibility for the attack.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — The January 8 inauguration of Jeff Landry as Louisiana governor consolidates Republican Party control of statehouses in America’s Deep South and the region’s shift to more conservative governance. Nearly 60% of Louisiana voters chose Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Republicans are ready for change at the statehouse in Baton Rouge. As a candidate and as the state’s attorney general, Landry backed banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youths... Читать дальше...
VOA Connect Episode 312 - Stories of a Liberian Refugee, a formerly undocumented Bolivian and a humanitarian migrant.
An in-depth exploration of the journeys taken by a Liberian refugee and a formerly undocumented immigrant from Bolivia, followed by their initial months as they navigate life in the United States. Camera | Producer | Editor: Lisa Vohra
Sairan Aqrawi arrived in the United States from Iraq in 1997 seeking safety. She shares her initial challenges upon arrival and how they have enriched her role as an International Transition Coach, helping others in settling into life in the United States. Camera | Producer | Editor: Lisa Vohra
We explore a nature park with a 3.25-mile trail, diverse landscapes, and a gazebo with a scenic view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Reporter | Camera | Producer: Jeff Swicord
HONG KONG — China’s new and sweeping Patriotic Education Law, which targets all types of education including religious teaching, officially went into effect on January 1. Church leaders say they are already struggling to adapt to the new guidelines. State media have said the Patriotic Education Law aims to target all levels of society, including schools, churches and international institutions. According to the law, the Chinese government encourages religious groups, schools and places of religious activities to conduct patriotic education... Читать дальше...
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is back in the Middle East. We visit the funeral for those killed in ISIS blast in Iran, and we visit the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. We get an update on the situation in the Red Sea, plus the latest from Kyiv and the Korean Peninsula.
WASHNGTON — Mongolian police on Friday raided the office of a local news outlet in the country’s capital, Ulaanbaatar. The raid on the Zarig news website came as authorities filed more serious charges against its editor-in-chief, Unurtsetseg Naran, who has been in custody since December 4. Authorities initially arrested Unurtsetseg on accusations of spreading false information and contempt of court. She was ordered to be held in custody for one month, but a court in late December extended that period to two months. Читать дальше...
This week the United States Department of Justice unsealed formerly confidential documents pertaining to convicted sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein. Some of the documents mention big names, including former U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, Britain’s Prince Andrew and others. Aron Ranen reports on the story from New York City.
Nairobi — The Horn of Africa is facing two diplomatic crises. Somalia recalled its ambassador from Ethiopia and Sudan recalled its ambassador from Kenya. Both countries complain of alleged interference in their internal affairs and threats to their sovereignty. Experts warn that the two diplomatic crises, one between Kenya and Sudan, the other between Ethiopia and Somalia, could threaten the stability of East Africa. Sudan’s government, led by the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces, General Abdel Fatah al-Burhan... Читать дальше...
BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government is forming a committee to prepare the closing down of the U.S.-led international coalition's mission in the country, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office said Friday. Sudani's statement came a day after a U.S. strike killed a militia leader in Baghdad, prompting anger among Iran-aligned groups that demanded the government end the presence of the coalition in Iraq. "Government is setting the date for the start of the bilateral committee to put arrangements... Читать дальше...
The Consumer Electronics Show, better known as CES, is back in Las Vegas [January 9 – 12] with more than 3,500 companies from around the globe showcasing the latest developments in artificial intelligence, health care, transportation and much more. VOA’s Julie Taboh gives us a preview. Video edit: Adam Greenbaum. Tina Trinh contributed to this report
A former news anchor in Indian-controlled Kashmir is forging a new career in the food industry after restrictions on media forced her out of a job. Muheet Ul Islam has more from Srinagar. Camera and video edit: Wasim Nabi
MUWASI, Gaza Strip — Stranded in a corner of southern Gaza, members of the Abu Jarad family are clinging to a strict survival routine. They fled their comfortable three-bedroom home in northern Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war broke out nearly three months ago. The 10-person family now squeezes into a 16-square meter tent on a garbage-strewn sandy plot, part of a sprawling encampment of displaced Palestinians. Every family member is assigned daily tasks, from collecting twigs to build a fire for cooking... Читать дальше...
NEW YORK — Glynis Johns, a Tony Award-winning stage and screen star who played the mother opposite Julie Andrews in the classic movie Mary Poppins and introduced the world to the bittersweet standard-to-be Send in the Clowns by Stephen Sondheim, has died. She was 100. Mitch Clem, her manager, said she died Thursday at an assisted living home in Los Angeles of natural causes. "Today’s a sad day for Hollywood," Clem said. "She is the last of the last of old Hollywood." Johns was known to be a perfectionist about her profession ... Читать дальше...
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Extremely cold temperatures compounded by gale-force winds and snow wreaked havoc across the Nordic region Thursday, leaving thousands without power while others braved the cold for hours stuck in their cars along clogged highways. Heavy rains in Germany, France and the Netherlands again caused floods in regions that have seen persistent flooding in the last two weeks. One death was reported in France. The deep freeze disrupted transportation throughout the Nordic region... Читать дальше...
NEW YORK — It's small in stature, big on activity and known for a "smile," and it's ready to compete with 200 other dog breeds. Say hello to the Lancashire heeler, the latest breed recognized by the American Kennel Club. The organization announced Wednesday that the rare herding breed is now eligible for thousands of U.S. dog shows, including the prominent Westminster Kennel Club show. With long bodies and short coats that are often black and tan, the solidly built dogs are shaped a bit like a downsized corgi... Читать дальше...
