VOA news

Vatican: Francis stable, out of ‘imminent danger’ of death The Vatican press office is changing the frequency of the pope’s health updates Read more...

March 15, 2025 - 1800 UTC Read more...

Starmer: ‘Sooner or later’ Russia must yield to peace Leaders from Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada met virtually to discuss a proposed ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia Read more...

March 15, 2025 - 1400 UTC Read more...

NASA, SpaceX launch crew to space station to retrieve stuck astronauts The two have been stuck in space for nine months Read more...

March 15, 2025 - 1000 UTC Read more...

Starbucks hit with $50 million fine for spilled drink injury Delivery driver says tea burned him Read more...

US Appeals court allows DEI crackdown Administration contends it’s fighting unlawful discrimination Read more...

UN: Iran using drones to enforce hijab law Other tools include facial recognition, app Read more...

Widespread power outage in Cuba leaves millions in dark Outage affects most of western Cuba, including the capital Read more...

Forecasters warn of tornadoes in US in coming days The tornado risk is expected to continue into the weekend Read more...

March 15, 2025 - 0600 UTC Read more...

VOA Kurdish: Senior ISIS leader killed in Iraqi intelligence operation Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani announced that Abu Khadija was killed in an operation by Iraqi intelligence with support from coalition forces. Abu Khadija was one of ISIS’s most active leaders, responsible for operations along the Kirkuk, Diyala, and Salahaddin borders. He was seen as the driving force behind ISIS attacks on Iraqi forces. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. Read more...

VOA Kurdish: Release of man’s confession sparks legal concerns The case of a man whose confession was made public by Irbil security forces last month has raised questions about how the security forces in the Kurdistan Region treat people they arrest. Human rights groups and lawyers say this is not the first time something like this has happened. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. Read more...

VOA Kurdish: Syria’s interim constitution raises fears of sectarian division Despite widespread protests, Syria’s newly signed interim constitution is raising deeper concerns about the country’s future. Experts warn that its provisions could form the basis of Syria’s permanent constitution in five years. And many fear the constitution will lead to sectarian rule and threaten Syria’s stability. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. Read more...

VOA Kurdish: Kurds in Iran celebrate Nowruz despite threats from Iranian Guards Despite numerous threats from the security institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in recent days, Nowroz celebrations are taking place in many cities on Friday across Kurdish regions, two Kurdish human rights groups said. Click here for the full Web story in Kurdish. Read more...

VOA Kurdish: Debate grows over proposal to shorten fasting hours during Ramadan The Saudi crown prince plans to discuss reducing the hours of fasting for Muslims during Ramadan. However, the Kurdistan Regional Government Fatwa Committee says it is not right to follow political decisions on fasting. On the other hand, the former director of the Ministry of Religious Affairs told VOA that if Saudi Arabia makes such a decision, others should consider following it, because Saudi Arabia is still seen as the center of important religious decisions. Click here for the full... Read more...

VOA Kurdish: Syria's interim constitution raises concerns among Kurds, observers Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharia, has signed a five-year constitution, raising concerns among Kurdish parties. Critics say it fails to represent Syria’s diverse communities. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. Read more...

Trump vows accountability for those who pursued him in court cases Says American people gave him mandate for demand Read more...

US to expel South Africa ambassador as relations deteriorate Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Ebrahim Rasool is 'no longer welcome in our great country' Read more...