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The United Nations reported Tuesday that women and girls are bearing the brunt of a persistent ‘dangerous erosion’ of rights in the country

Netanyahu says Hamas isolation opens pathway to hostage deal  

Diplomatic relations between the two countries have soured since August, when a student-led uprising ousted authoritarian prime minister Sheikh Hasina

Ukrainian leader praises Trump for ‘resolve’ to achieve fair ending to conflict 

Russian state media say Moscow has granted asylum to ousted Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, who reports say landed in Moscow after escaping from Damascus Sunday. The Kremlin was a key supporter of Assad in his government's brutal attempts to defeat rebels.

Syrian rebel commander Ahmad al-Sharaa, widely known as Abu Mohammad al-Golani, pledged Tuesday to release the names of senior officials from ousted President Bashar al-Assad’s government who were “involved in torturing the Syrian people.” "Rewards will be offered to those who will provide information about senior army and security officers involved in war crimes,” Golani said in a statement. The pledge came amid questions about Syria’s future governance following Assad’s...

Videos of synchronized chanting and light stick movements in unison at the protests have gone viral on social media along with flags carrying messages and memes from mainly younger demonstrators

The collapse of the Syrian regime and the influx of thousands of families into Kurdish areas, particularly in Derik, has led to an economic crisis in these regions. As a result, the value of the dollar has risen sharply, significantly impacting the livelihoods of both local residents and newly arrived immigrants. View the full story here.

Turkish warplanes launched three airstrikes near the Qara Quzaq Bridge, a strategic bridge that connects the eastern Euphrates to the western Euphrates. The strikes, targeting Kurdish security forces, resulted in the deaths of one member of the Internal Security Forces and two traffic police officers. These strikes, along with ongoing attacks by Turkish-backed Syrian armed groups on areas governed by the Kurdish Autonomous Administration, have heightened fears and unrest among civilians....

At this pivotal moment in Syria’s history, a nation long plagued by the Assad regime’s oppressive rule, many hold onto hope for a new era—one where human rights are upheld, and minorities are respected. However, among the Kurdish population, there is growing concern. Turkish-backed armed groups persist in their attacks on Kurdish-controlled areas, while Kurdish political parties remain divided and at odds over their visions for the future. In this video report, Zana Omer explores the...

Following the overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria, all eyes turned to the actors in the country, especially the Kurds. While Turkey is again seeking a solution to its Kurdish issue, how will the latest situation in Syria affect this process?  Turkey views the Kurdish-led and U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces as an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Turkey, the U.S. and EU have designated PKK as a terrorist organization.  VOA Turkish talked to experts closely...

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to enforce mass deportations has raised alarm bells for immigrants in Florida. VOA Spanish’s José Pernalete says activists and field workers warn that crops could be affected if personnel shortages arise.  See the full story here. 

The Islamic Republic’s judicial authorities have executed at least eight more prisoners in various prisons across Tabriz, Isfahan, Birjand and Zahedan, according to reports from human rights organizations. In recent weeks, U.N. officials, prisoner advocates and others have issued statements on the occasion of World Day Against the Death Penalty, expressing concern over the increased number of executions in Iran and calling for an immediate halt. According to Amnesty International, the...

VOA's Russian service speaks with regional experts about the unprecedented decision by Romania’s Constitutional Court to annul the results of the first round of the presidential election. The decision followed the publication of documents by Romanian intelligence services that claimed 25,000 bot accounts on TikTok had been campaigning in favor of one candidate. See the full story here.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia could deploy its new “Oreshnik” intermediate-range hypersonic missile on the territory of its ally, Belarus, in the second half of next year. Putin announced this decision in Minsk, where he signed a mutual defense pact with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. VOA's Russian service spoke to regional experts about Putin’s motives, his nuclear threats to Ukraine and the West, and how the deployment of the “Oreshnik” in Belarus will...

Twelve years after Austin Tice disappeared in Syria, the journalist’s family have received evidence he is alive. The fall of President Bashar Assad’s regime renews efforts to bring him home. With Liam Scott, Cristina Caicedo Smit has the story for VOA

Trilateral ties that were forged under South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol could be at risk if he is removed from the office, analysts say

The accused were charged with conspiracy, placing life in jeopardy, causing serious bodily injury, and resulting in death