Saipan: A birth tourism destination for Chinese mothers
So-called birth tourism is not only happening on the U.S. mainland. Pregnant Chinese mothers have been heading to a U.S. territory much closer to home to have their babies and…
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worldwide news
Facing backlash over $500K salary, LA’s wildfire recovery czar agrees to work for free
LOS ANGELES — Steve Soboroff, a longtime fixture in Los Angeles civic life who is now serving as chief recovery officer for the city’s wildfire comeback, won’t take a salary after…
continue readingOn sidelines of AI Summit in Paris, unions denounce its harmful effects
PARIS — In front of political and tech leaders gathered at a summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron called for a strategy on Monday to make up for the delay…
continue readingICC opens inquiry into Italy over release of Libyan warlord
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS — Judges at the International Criminal Court have officially asked Italy on Monday to explain why the country released a Libyan man suspected of torture, murder and rape…
continue readingSpace telescope spots rare ‘Einstein ring’ of light
CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA — Europe’s Euclid space telescope has detected a rare halo of bright light around a nearby galaxy, astronomers reported Monday. The halo, known as an Einstein ring, encircles…
continue readingOpening statements begin in trial of man accused of trying to kill Salman Rushdie
Mayville, New York — Lawyers began delivering opening statements Monday at the trial of the man charged with trying to fatally stab author Salman Rushdie in front of a lecture audience…
continue readingThird federal judge blocks Trump’s birthright citizenship order
Concord, New Hampshire — A third federal judge on Monday blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for the children of people who are in the U.S. illegally. …
continue readingRomanian President Iohannis announces resignation after pressure by populists
Bucharest, Romania — Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced his resignation on Monday following mounting pressure from populist opposition groups, two months after a top court annulled a presidential election in the…
continue readingKosovo prime minister looking for allies for new Cabinet after failing to win parliament majority
PRISTINA, Kosovo — Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s leftwing party won most seats in the weekend parliamentary election but was left without a majority in the house, forcing it to look…
continue readingRussia drone attacks spark fire, damage homes
Russian drone attacks caused a fire in Kyiv, injured a woman in Sumy and damaged several homes, according to Ukrainian officials. Meanwhile, the Russian military reported downing 15 Ukrainian drones…
continue readingCourt grants request to block detained Venezuelan immigrants from being sent to Guantanamo
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A federal court on Sunday blocked the Trump administration from sending three Venezuelan immigrants held in New Mexico to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba as part of…
continue readingPhiladelphia defeats Kansas City in Super Bowl
The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chief in this year’s Super Bowl, defeating the reigning champions by a score of 40-22. The Chiefs had been slightly favored to win…
continue readingTensions heat up in the Arctic
Climate change is rapidly altering the Arctic region, creating environmental danger, economic opportunity and geopolitical tension as the world’s major powers scramble to control newly accessible shipping lanes and resource…
continue reading‘Anora’ wins at Producers and Directors Guild Awards
Did a wide-open Oscar race just get a front runner? Sean Baker’s Brooklyn comedy “Anora” took top honors at both the Producers Guild Awards and the Directors Guild Awards on…
continue readingSuper Bowl commercials rely on comedy, nostalgia to avoid potential missteps
Most of the commercials airing during this year’s Super Bowl are going for laughs, with advertisers betting that America could use a little break. As the Philadelphia Eagles and the…
continue readingGerman chancellor candidates clash on Trump, the far-right and NATO
Berlin — Europe is prepared to respond “within an hour” if the United States levies tariffs against the European Union, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a pre-election debate with his…
continue readingUkraine looks to bargain rare earth minerals for continued US support
The presidents of Ukraine and the United States are looking to make a deal. This comes as world leaders meet later this week in Munich to discuss, among other issues,…
continue readingSoaring egg prices in US pique interest in backyard chickens
NEW YORK — Thinking about backyard chickens as egg prices soar? Think hard, especially in light of the bird flu outbreak. Keeping home chickens as a pastime has continued to grow…
continue readingPope reminds armed forces to act for defense, respect international laws
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis on Sunday told soldiers, police and other law enforcement officials from around the world that armed force can only be used for legitimate defense and must…
continue readingBaltic states switch to European power grid, ending Russia ties
VILNIUS — Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania said on Sunday they had successfully synchronized their electricity systems to the European continental power grid, one day after severing decades-old energy ties to Russia…
continue readingHigh home prices and mortgage rates put American dream out of reach for many
The Petersen family’s two-bedroom apartment in northern California is starting to feel small. Four-year-old Jerrik’s toy monster trucks are everywhere in the 1,100-square-foot unit in Campbell, just outside of San…
continue readingKosovo votes for new parliament as foreign aid dwindles and talks with Serbia are stalled
PRISTINA, KOSOVO — Kosovars cast their votes Sunday in a parliamentary election considered a key test for Prime Minister Albin Kurti as talks on normalizing ties with rival Serbia remain stalled…
continue readingJapan prime minister voices optimism over averting US tariffs
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed optimism on Sunday that his country could avoid higher U.S. tariffs, saying President Donald Trump had recognized Japan’s huge investment in the U.S.…
continue readingVOA immigration weekly recap, Feb. 2–8
Editor’s note: Here is a look at immigration-related news around the U.S. this week. Questions? Tips? Comments? Email the VOA immigration team: ImmigrationUnit@voanews.com. Historical precedent, legal questions swirl around Trump…
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