The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada have announced a new round of sanctions against Belarus officials and entities, citing the government’s “ongoing attacks on democracy,…
Two South Sudanese Migrants Rescued at Sea Tell of Dreams, Hopes
The tale of two South Sudanese brothers recently rescued in the Mediterranean Sea is a common one among the many African migrants seeking better lives in Europe. The two men…
US Jobless Benefit Claims Remain at Low Level
First-time claims for U.S. unemployment compensation remained at a low level last week as employers retained their workers and searched for more as the United States continues its economic recovery…
US Agrees to Force Migrants to Stay in Mexico While Asylum Claims Considered
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Thursday it will comply with a court order and reinstate a program to force migrants trying to reach the United States to remain…
UK Court Backs Meghan in Dispute over Privacy with Publisher
The Duchess of Sussex on Thursday won the latest stage in her long-running privacy lawsuit against a British newspaper publisher over its publication of parts of a letter she wrote…
Belarus Targets Journalists, Activists with Mass Raids
Authorities in Belarus raided the homes of dozens of journalists and activists Wednesday, according to a human rights group, in what appeared to be the biggest one-day crackdown on dissent…
Biden to Announce New Restrictions as US Reports First Case of Omicron Variant
U.S. President Joe Biden is due to announce Thursday stricter coronavirus testing requirements for international travelers entering the country, an extension of mask requirements for people on planes, trains and…
US Calls on Russia to Cool Tensions with Ukraine
A top U.S. defense official says Washington will not be alone if it needs to take action in response to Russia’s massive troop buildup along its border with Ukraine. Defense…
Blinken Warns Russia Invasion of Ukraine Will Have Consequences
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warns Russia Wednesday that any military action in Ukraine will have severe consequences. He plans to meet separately Thursday with both the Ukrainian and the Russian foreign ministers in Stockholm to discuss the heightened border tensions. VOA’s Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports. …
Kurdish Family Laments Young Migrant Daughter Drowned in English Channel
Last week, a small inflatable boat capsized in the English Channel killing 27 migrants who were attempting to cross from France to the United Kingdom. The family of one of the victims spoke to VOA’s…
US Government Shutdown Looms as Lawmakers Squabble
The threat of a U.S. federal government shutdown loomed larger Wednesday as lawmakers failed to reach a budget agreement with two days to go before the funding runs out. Congress…
January 6 Panel Votes to Hold Former DOJ Official in Contempt
The House panel investigating the January 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection voted Wednesday to pursue contempt charges against Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department official who refused to answer the committee’s…
Russia Orders Some US Diplomatic Staff to Leave as Embassy Spat Expands
Russia said on Wednesday it was ordering U.S. Embassy staff who have been in Moscow for more than three years to fly home by January 31, a retaliatory move for…
Putin Demands NATO Guarantees Not to Expand Eastward
President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Moscow would seek Western guarantees precluding any further NATO expansion and deployment of its weapons near his country’s borders, a stern demand that comes…
4th Student Dies in Michigan School Shooting; Suspect Charged
Law enforcement officials in Oakland County, Michigan, on Wednesday said a 17-year-old boy has died from wounds suffered in a school shooting at Oxford High School the day before, becoming…
Pentagon Chief Issues COVID Vaccination Order for National Guard
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered all National Guard and Reserve service members to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face the loss of pay and other consequences, according to a memo released Tuesday. The order comes amid a dispute between the Pentagon and…
French Military: Forces Did Not Fire into Crowd of Nigerien Protesters
A French military spokesperson has denied an accusation that French soldiers shot into a crowd of protesters in Niger late last month. The deteriorating security situation in Africa’s Sahel region…
EU Leaders Consider Mandatory Vaccinations to Fight Omicron Variant
European Union leaders said Wednesday they are considering a number of public health options, including vaccine mandates, to address the growing threat posed by the omicron variant of the virus…