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Attorney general says its use of groundwater threatens public health, safety and infrastructure

About 4,000 acres and at least seven properties have gone up in smoke since the Franklin Fire broke out Monday night, authorities said

Life is returning to normal in Syria in a way that hasn’t been possible in more than 50 years. Syrians lined up at the Turkish border on Wednesday to head home after rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad, speaking of their expectations for a better life. Syria's new interim prime minister said he aimed to bring back millions of Syrian refugees, protect all citizens and provide basic services, but rebuilding would be difficult because the country lacked foreign currency. Reports say...

Since its launch, initiative has attracted nearly $1 billion in federal funding, including from Defense Department, National Institutes of Health

In response to an inquiry from VOA Persian, the Canadian government stated that compulsory conscription in Iran’s armed forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), does not necessarily result in former conscripts being barred from entering Canada. The IRGC has been added to Canada’s list of terrorist organizations, but a Canadian government spokesman said those fleeing Iran who were required to serve with the Iranian force would not be barred from Canada. Click here...

Reports obtained by VOA Persian confirm that restrictions on female political prisoners at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad remain in effect.  A recently released former inmate of Vakilabad Prison, speaking to VOA, revealed that the restrictions were imposed "without any prior notice" following a meeting between inmates of Ward 6 and political prisoner Fatemeh Sepehri, held outside the ward on December 5.    She added, "Prisoners' access to essential facilities, including the infirmary,...

The NBA has signed a multimillion-dollar agreement to organize preseason games in Macau next October, returning American pro basketball to China after a five-year political hiatus.   In 2019, Beijing banned NBA games after a player supported Hong Kong’s' pro-democracy demonstrations against the Chinese government. VOA Mandarin reports on the economic and political angles related to the return of the popular sport to Chinese stadiums.   Click here for the full story in Mandarin. 

Scientists in Kenya say they are studying a mealworm native to Africa that can consume and biodegrade plastic. Experts report the mealworm produces enzymes that can help break down plastic waste. Juma Majanga reports from Nairobi, Kenya. Camera: Amos Wangwa.

Vietnam has recently ordered both Temu and Shein, Chinese cross-border shopping platforms, to suspend operations, following a similar move by Indonesia.   Analysts say businesses and officials believe the Chinese platforms pose a significant threat to local small- and medium-sized enterprises, forcing authorities to take countermeasures. VOA Mandarin reports that more countries are expected to roll out similar restrictions.   Click here for the full story in Mandarin.

VOA Russian speaks with Ksenia Kirillova, an analyst with Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) and The Jamestown Foundation, on how Syria is being portrayed by Russian propaganda. Russian pro-government botnets have already started pushing the narrative that “Syria is of no benefit for Russia” following the fall of Moscow’s ally Bashar al-Assad.  Click here for the full story in Russian. 

In a statement, he said he 'accepted my arrest as a reward from the government for human rights advocacy'

The fall of Syria's Bashar al-Assad poses a threat to Russia's ability to project power throughout the Middle East and beyond. Russia has long been a close ally of Syria and has leases on two military bases in the country, giving it a strategic foothold in the Middle East.   Click here for the full story in Russian.

Guatemala issues arrest warrant in absentia for co-founder of El Periodico Juan Luis Font

Suspect Luigi Mangione's fingerprints also matched a water bottle and a protein bar wrapper that police found near the scene of the shooting of Brian Thompson

Businesses have reopened and many people are returning to work after the dramatic collapse of the government in Syria. But as VOA’s Heather Murdock reports from Damascus, some locals fear the war is not over, even as they celebrate new freedoms. Camera: Yan Boechat

Man says he returned because of his family; no reason given for his 3-month disappearance

Washington says it does not believe the weapon is a ‘game-changer’ in the nearly three-year war

Announcement comes a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump said he intends to nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the job

Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started in November and have raised growing concern among residents