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Rubio: US will promote peace around the world in its national interest
On his first day on the job, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his staff and spelled out his foreign policy priorities. He also met with allies from the Indo-Pacific region who seek to counter Chinese military and economic ambitions. VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports.
Reactions to the imprisonment of 6 journalists in Turkey
Six Kurdish journalists have been detained in Turkey, charged with being members of a "terrorist organization" with no word from their lawyers. Journalists and activists say opposition media outlets are being targeted more and more every day.
Click here for the full story in Kurdish.
Financial dispute between Kurdistan region, Iraq risks further straining ties
A dispute between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi federal government risks further complicating the relationship between the two, as the KRG struggles to pay its public sector employees. Last week, KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani said withdrawing from the Iraqi government was "on the table" amid a growing dissatisfaction with the Iraqi finance minister.
Click here for the full story in Kurdish.
Resilient cancer patient continues to run her poultry store
Herow Mohammed is a cancer patient from the city of Halabja, Iraq, who despite her diagnosis continues to work in her fresh chicken store. Speaking to VOA, she said, "Overcoming cancer requires someone whose will is strong enough to overpower the disease." Mohammed is among hundreds of the city's cancer patients who, due to the lack of a cancer care center, need to travel to the city of Sulaimaniyah.
Click here for the full story in Kurdish.
Is Venezuelan oil 'desirable' for the US or is it not needed, as Trump says?
Venezuela exported millions of barrels of its heavy oil to the U.S. until the economic sanctions of 2019. Its purchase resumed two years ago. Experts explain the characteristics of this crude oil, while Donald Trump says that he will "probably" stop buying it.
Click here for the full story in Spanish.
Trump repeals humanitarian parole for migrants from four countries
President Donald Trump repealed a Biden administration program to temporarily allow in more than half a million migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. The legal paths to enter the United States are closed to them, as Paula Diaz reports from Arizona.
Click here for the full story in Spanish.
Navalny lawyers get jail time for doing their job
Russian lawyer practice could face existential risks after the recent guilty verdict against three lawyers who had represented late opposition leader Alexey Navalny in court. VOA Russian spoke to legal experts who voice concern about the ability of Russian activists to get proper legal representation in the future after Navalny lawyers got up to 5½ years in prison for essentially doing their job, something that did not happen even in the Soviet times.
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Democratic-led states sue to block Trump's birthright citizenship order
US president wants to prevent children of undocumented migrants from becoming citizens
Trump's UN nominee touts peace through strength on world stage
At Elise Stefanik's confirmation hearing, China's growing influence at UN was on legislators' minds
Zelenskyy: Ukraine would need at least 200,000 peacekeepers for ceasefire
Ukraine's best defense in a ceasefire would be its NATO membership, Zelenskyy says
Syrian Kurds look for continued US support under Trump
Following the fall of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad last month, US-backed Kurdish forces have been under mounting pressure by both the new authorities in Damascus and the Turkish government to disarm
Trump hits the ground running
U.S. President Donald Trump hit the ground running on Monday issuing a record number of executive orders to begin remaking the U.S. government. As expected, he withdrew from the Paris climate agreement and pulled out of the World Health Organization. We talk big picture on what he hopes to achieve with Republican strategist Matt Klink from Klink Campaigns.
Trump's executive orders on gender draw mixed reaction across Africa
US President Trump sparks diverging responses on the continent after reversing Biden transgender policies
China, Israel leading jailers of journalists, says report
China, Israel and Myanmar are among the leading jailers of journalists, according to a new report. Globally, at least 361 journalists are detained because of their work, data from the Committee to Protect Journalists finds. Cristina Caicedo Smit has more. Liam Scott contributed.
US withdrawals from WHO, Paris Agreement met with regret, calls for reversal
United Nations agencies say imminent US withdrawal from World Health Organization and Paris climate agreement will have serious consequences for global health and efforts to slow down climate change
Historical novel offers lessons to next generation, says Afghan writer
An Afghan author’s latest book is a generational call to remember the country’s recent violent past, he says. But Taliban rules mean publishers and bookstores are wary of stocking it. From Peshawar, Pakistan, Muska Safi has the story, narrated by Bezhan Hamdard. Roshan Noorzai contributed.
Aid trucks enter Gaza, as officials hope ceasefire holds
Reports say 600 trucks enter Gaza, while 500 arrived daily before conflict began
M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo seize town on key supply route
Residents flee the rebel group's new offensive
Trump’s 2nd term: Hopes for economic prosperity amid new challenges
Many American voters are hopeful that President Donald Trump’s second term, which began on Jan. 20, will usher in a period of economic prosperity. A large national debt, climate change and some of Trump’s own policy proposals may complicate his efforts to do so.