What happens on moving day at White House?
After Donald Trump is sworn in as president, there will be a swirl of activity at the White House. Over about six hours, the belongings of outgoing President Joe Biden…
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Journalists in Azerbaijan face trials, jailings, travel bans
WASHINGTON — An Azerbaijani court on Friday denied petitions by two jailed journalists to be released from house arrest, their lawyers said. The journalists, Aynur Elgunesh and Natig Javadli, work for…
continue readingUK leader condemns ‘poison of antisemitism’ on Auschwitz visit
WARSAW, POLAND — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday condemned what he called “the poison of antisemitism rising around the world” after a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the former German Nazi…
continue readingUS fortifying Indo-Pacific air bases against potential attacks from China
Washington — The United States has been ramping up its Indo-Pacific region air bases to ensure they are protected against attack, a spokesperson for the U.S. Pacific Air Forces told VOA…
continue readingUS medic helps wounded Ukrainians during war
For nearly three years, a combat medic from California named Jennifer Mullee has been saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines. Mullee decided to join the Ukrainian war…
continue readingBiden sets record by commuting sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug charges
Washington — President Joe Biden announced Friday that he was commuting the sentences of almost 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, using his final days in office on a flurry…
continue readingIranian president in Moscow for treaty signing with Putin
MOSCOW — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Moscow on Friday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the signing of a strategic partnership treaty involving closer defense cooperation that…
continue readingRussia upholds jail term for ex-US Consulate worker
MOSCOW — A Russian court on Friday upheld the jail term of Robert Shonov, a former U.S. Consulate worker sentenced to almost five years for “secret collaboration with a foreign state.”…
continue readingMexican firefighters join the battle against Los Angeles wildfires
Firefighters from all over the United States are currently in Los Angeles fighting deadly wildfires. Backup from Canada and Mexico arrived this week as well. VOA’s Fernando Mejía spent some…
continue readingMelania Trump returns to the White House as first lady
Slovenian model turned US first lady Melania Trump is headed back to the White House after a bittersweet experience in the limelight after her husband, President-elect Donald Trump, first took…
continue readingTrump’s choice for attorney general pledges independence
Pamela Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to become attorney general, faced more questions from U.S. senators Thursday. Witnesses testified to her character and integrity to serve in one of the…
continue readingBritain, Ukraine sign 100-year agreement
Britain and Ukraine signed a 100-year agreement Thursday, with Britain pledging to provide Ukraine with $3.6 billion in military aid this year. The deal was announced during a joint news…
continue readingUS sanctions Sudan army leader, citing atrocities
washington — Washington has slapped sanctions on Sudan’s army leader, citing his responsibility for war crimes in a conflict that has bled the oil-rich country dry over the last year —…
continue readingPutting aside past tensions, Turkey’s Erdogan sees new Trump presidency as opportunity
With Donald Trump returning to the White House, analysts say Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sees an opportunity to rekindle what he calls his close working relationship with the president-elect.…
continue readingBrazilian court denies Bolsonaro’s request to travel to Trump inauguration
SAO PAULO — Brazil’s Supreme Court on Thursday denied a request by former President Jair Bolsonaro to temporarily restore his passport so that he could attend the inauguration in Washington of…
continue readingUS Treasury nominee Scott Bessent faces sharp questions from Democrats at confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON — U.S. Treasury nominee Scott Bessent on Thursday faced sharp questions from Democrats on tax policy, tariffs, China, Russia sanctions and the future of an IRS tax filing system that…
continue readingPope Francis hurts right arm after falling for 2nd time in just over a month
ROME — Pope Francis fell Thursday and hurt his right arm, the Vatican said, just weeks after another apparent fall resulted in a bad bruise on his chin. Francis didn’t break…
continue readingUN appeals for $3.2 billion to support 8.2 million Ukrainian war victims
GENEVA — The United Nations is appealing for $3.2 billion to provide humanitarian assistance for 8.2 million Ukrainians whose lives have been upended by Russia’s invasion of their country nearly three…
continue readingRussia exploits wildfires in Los Angeles to push anti-US, anti-Ukraine propaganda
In California, qualifying inmates volunteer as firefighters to assist in combating wildfires in Los Angeles. China uses forced labor involving arbitrarily detained Muslims in Xinjiang. …
continue readingCyprus says US decree on security affirms island’s stabilizing role in region
NICOSIA, Cyprus — Cyprus on Thursday hailed a U.S. memorandum allowing military sales, including arms, to the island as a milestone affirming recognition of the island as a pillar of stability…
continue readingDry, windy weather to ease as firefighters battle LA wildfires
Southern California firefighters made some progress in containing two major wildfires, while forecasters said weather conditions in the coming days could bring welcome relief from the days of dry air…
continue readingBillionaires and foreign dignitaries to attend Trump’s inauguration
Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, will be among several billionaires attending Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration. Tesla CEO Musk was instrumental in Trump’s reelection with his contribution of over…
continue readingVOA Mandarin: Taiwan startup hub opens in Silicon Valley
Taiwan plans to spend $4.56 billion to boost its startup ecosystem and has set up a liaison center in Silicon Valley designated to attract American venture capital and talent to…
continue readingTrump’s pick to lead CIA promises more focus, firmer posture
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the CIA signaled substantial changes are in store for America’s premier spy agency, telling lawmakers that it must be more aggressive both in…
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