Voice of America’s immigration news

The killing of journalists in Gaza and Haiti in recent weeks underscore the dangers media confront. Analysts say war, instability and lack of accountability contributed to a deadly year for the media, with more than 100 journalists killed in 2024. Press Freedom Editor Jessica Jerreat has the story.

The United States Supreme Court has fast-tracked oral arguments on a challenge by the Chinese company ByteDance — the owner of TikTok — to a new law that would ban the social media platform on grounds of national security. VOA’s Steve Herman reports.

For the first time, a person in the United States has died after being infected with the bird flu. The World Health Organization says the risk of infection for the general population remains low, but as VOA’s Dora Mekouar reports, some medical experts are still sounding the alarm.

The outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan reportedly took responsibility for the kidnapping and released a video featuring the abducted workers

US pledges $500 Million for Ukraine at Ramstein meeting

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, recognized as president-elect by several countries, arrived in Panama on Tuesday, one of his last stops on the tour he undertook before trying to return to Venezuela to take office, while President Nicolas Maduro prepares to be sworn in on Friday. Click here to read the full story in Spanish.  

Erbil's Security Office announced the arrests of four suspects in an attack on a TikTok personality known as Rebaz Markawl. After the attack, he went on social media and said the four men humiliated him for comments he had made long ago that were deemed anti-Islam and for which he had publicly apologized. However, the suspects said they attacked him for insulting them online. Click here to read the full story in Kurdish.

Both Israel and Taiwan are facing existential challenges from authoritarian regimes, Abby Lee, Taiwan’s culture and economic representative to Israel, told VOA in a recent interview in Tel Aviv. She said this and other commonalities were the glue bonding the two democracies together. Click here to read the full story in Mandarin.

A new U.N. report says more than 5,600 Haitians died in gang-related violence during 2024.  U.N. Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk said, "The numbers alone don't reflect the terrible situation in Haiti. However, they illustrate how gang violence has increased." Click here to read the full story in Creole.

Analysts say Beijing could increase its regional economic presence, try to attract more countries to BRI through project

China has been on a building spree in the Seychelles, a small country in the Indian Ocean. But there’s more to the diplomatic push than bricks and mortar. Beijing has also been investing in education, as a soft power approach to the strategically located archipelago. Kate Bartlett reports.

Officials announce probe in July after Brussels began looking into whether Chinese government subsidies were undermining European competition

Carter's artistic work was a key element of his private life, and helped him navigate his public life

Another burst of plunging temperatures and winter storms threaten to again snarl travel

Gaza health ministry says more than 109,300 people have been injured

Venancio Mondlane returns from self-exile, defiantly claiming to have won a hotly contested October election, but security forces later used tear gas to disperse supporters who had gathered to greet him

Announcement comes after oil supply to international markets were cut off last February because of ongoing conflict in Sudan

It’s had 12 failed attempts over 2 years

Analysts say the prospects of Yoon returning to office are unclear but the hiatus has emboldened his supporters