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Coffee theft surges in the US as prices for the beans soar
Theft of coffee has been reported in producing countries such as Brazil and Vietnam, usually in farms where the beans are temporarily stored after the harvest. In the US, coffee is stolen by gangs posing as transportation companies
Activist's arrest raises questions on US protections for foreign students, green card holders
Mahmoud Khalil was arrested Saturday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents
US nonprofit helps former female inmates reintegrate into society, job market
Operation Restoration has more than a dozen programs including providing housing, work training, education, food, clothing, and legal advocacy
Senate confirms Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Trump's labor secretary
Some of the department's responsibilities include reporting the US unemployment rate, regulating workplace health and safety standards, investigating minimum wage, child labor and overtime pay disputes, and applying laws on union organizing and unlawful terminations
VOA Kurdish: Oldest of Ramadan traditions continues in Iraq
One of the oldest traditions of Ramadan is waking people up with the sound of drums before the pre-dawn meal. Although this custom has faded over the years, in Mosul, a young man is working to revive it by volunteering to walk through neighborhoods and waking residents each morning with his drum.
Click here for the full story in Kurdish.
VOA Kurdish: Kurdish victim groups unite in pursuit of international recognition for genocide
In an effort to gain international recognition for their cases as genocide, the relatives of the Anfal victims, Kakais, Halabja chemical attack survivors, and Yezidis are joining forces. The collaboration, led by Yezidi activist and human rights advocate Mirza Danaei, who received the 2019 Aurora Humanitarian Award, seeks to overcome the deep-rooted religious and ethnic divisions that have historically kept these Kurdish communities apart.
Click here for the full story in Kurdish.
VOA Persian: Rights groups says man killed by government forces' 'indiscriminate shooting' in Tehran
An indiscriminate shooting by security forces in Tehran resulted in the death of a young man, according to a human rights group.
The Human Rights Activists in Iran said the man, who was allegedly suspected of carrying smuggled goods, was shot by officers while passing through a street.
Click here for the full story in Persian.
VOA Uzbek: Empowering Central Asian craft makers and artists
The Central Asia Program at George Washington University recently had a special exhibition for Central Asian women and art during the International Women's Day celebrations.
Carpets and other items woven by Afghan women at home sell well in U.S. markets, businesspeople who spoke to VOA said. One vendor said online sales aren’t bad.
Click here for the full story in Uzbek.
VOA Persian: Livelihood protests continue across Iran
As the Iranian Rial continues to depreciate, livelihood protests erupted across Iran on Monday. Telecommunication retirees, nurses, oil industry workers, and a number of recruitment applicants in public sector staged demonstrations, voicing their economic grievances.
The surge in protests comes as the Rial hits a new low, following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks against negotiations with the United States.
Click here for the full story in Persian.
VOA Mandarin: DRC wants mineral deal with US, potential check on China's dominance
U.S. President Donald Trump, in a speech last week, vowed to take “historic action” to “dramatically expand production of critical minerals and rare earths.” The latest announcement came as the Democratic Republic of Congo approached the United States to strike a Ukraine-like minerals deal. Experts say the U.S .could offer a viable alternative to the DRC and check China’s influence while ensuring access to critical minerals for Washington. But they caution that a mineral agreement is also...
VOA Russian: Russian filmmakers reflect on impact from war in Ukraine
Russian documentary filmmaker Vitaly Mansky produces Artdocfest, an annual film festival that showcases documentary features from independent film directors. He says most documentary films reflect the negative impact of the war in Ukraine, from resettling Ukrainian refugees to daily struggles of Russians who fled the war and try to set up their life anew in other countries.
Click here for the full story in Russian.
VOA Mandarin: China escalates pressure against Taiwan during two Sessions
During China's Two Sessions, Beijing has ramped up pressure on Taiwan. On Sunday, a People’s Liberation Army delegate warned that “Taiwan independence is a dead end,” and Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s claim that “Taiwan's only designation at the UN is China’s Taiwan Province” was echoed by several Taiwanese celebrities on Weibo. In response, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council took an unusually tough stance, condemning these celebrities and vowing to investigate them under relevant...
Cargo ship and tanker collide, catch fire off England; one crew member missing
The two ships were still ablaze 12 hours after the collision, British coast guards said
Music flows in Roberta Flack's 'Celebration of Life' memorial with Stevie Wonder and Al Sharpton
Flack's intimate vocal and musical style made her one of the top recording artists of the 1970s and an influential performer long after
US pulls out of climate damage compensation fund
U.S. had pledged $17.5 million when fund was agreed upon in 2022
Trump administration launches new 'self-deportation' app
CBP Home will offer an option to signal an ‘intent to depart’
Newly elected Canadian prime minister promises quick transition
Mark Carney, 59, replaces Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remains prime minister until his successor is sworn in
Former US first lady Michelle Obama and her brother to launch podcast
Guests range from worlds of entertainment, sports, health and business
UN chief alarmed at sudden spike in violence on Syrian coast
Hundreds of civilians in Assad-aligned Alawite towns have been killed as Syrian security forces clash with loyalist fighters