Voice of America’s immigration news

Anthony Bellanger, general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists, told VOA that Iran is "a repressor of press freedom," and he urged foreign journalists to be " as cautious as possible" when traveling to countries such as Iran. Bellanger spoke Wednesday, the day Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was released from detention in Iran and returned to her home country. Click here for the full story in Persian.

An earthquake killed at least 126 people and left 188 injured when it struck a remote area of southern Tibet near China’s border with Nepal at dawn on Tuesday, China's state media reported. With an unknown number still unaccounted for in freezing weather, people are starting to question the extent of the disaster and the transparency of the government's handling of it. Click here for the full story in Mandarin.

President-elect Donald Trump says he will undo a sweeping new ban on offshore oil and gas drilling after he takes office on Jan. 20. President Joe Biden on Jan. 6 announced the prohibition covering most U.S. coastal waters. VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias has more.

An Iranian official on Wednesday rejected accusations of judicial obstruction in the case of a Ukrainian passenger plane downed by Iran over Tehran five years ago. Critics and victims' families say Iran’s lack of transparency, frequent contradictions and repeated false claims have significantly undermined the credibility of their statements about the downing. Click here for the full story in Persian.

Multiple massive wind driven wildfires are tearing across the Los Angeles area with devastating force, destroying homes and forcing tens of thousands to flee. Fire officials are preparing for the situation to worsen with strong winds expected to pick up. More than a thousand structures have burned. While it is rare to see such a scale of destruction in January, experts warn that climate change is lengthening California's fire season to now be a year-long risk. As the planet continues to heat...

The blazes in and around Los Angeles have killed at least two people, burned more than 1,000 buildings and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate

UN envoy also warns of signs of instability and threat from the Islamic State

They say growing anti-French sentiment in region, plus Nigeria's own recent dealings with France, could frustrate negotiations aimed at keeping members from exiting

Outgoing and incoming US administration officials rush to ease conflict in Lebanon as its parliament holds presidential vote this week

With the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, Turkey sees an chance to send home up to 4 million Syrians who came there during Syria’s civil war, amid growing public hostility toward the refugees. Some say that with no guarantees of safety or livelihood, they are not ready to return. Dorian Jones reports.

India pledges development projects in Afghanistan, which has endured years of devastating war and natural disasters.

Carter lies in state for public viewing in the heart of American democracy, as leaders prepare for national funeral

Former President Jimmy Carter lies in state Wednesday in the heart of the U.S. Capitol. A pomp-filled state funeral Thursday will bring all of his living successors together, under one roof, to mourn him. VOA’s Anita Powell reports. Mykhailo Komadovsky and Kim Lewis contributed.

Ding Xiongjun, ex-chairman of state-owned Kweichow Moutai, was placed under investigation on Jan. 2, the third former leader to face a graft probe

Meanwhile, Ukraine strikes a fuel depot deep inside Russia

In 2025, Poland leads the EU amid economic strains, geopolitical shifts, and a leadership void

A look at the best news photos from around the world.

The deputy Taliban spokesperson said the Kabul administration neither anticipates nor seeks any assistance from the United States