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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told lawmakers Wednesday that the Biden administration was put in an impossible position ahead of the August 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. VOA Congressional Correspondent Katherine Gypson reports.

Deadly Israeli airstrikes hit central, northern Gaza

Yoon Suk Yeol spoke hours before main liberal opposition party was to submit new impeachment motion

Turkish diplomatic sources say their country is aiding several other countries following fall of Assad government

Georgia, Moldova and Romania held crucial elections against backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to carry out the largest deportations in U.S. history raises questions about its feasibility and its legality. VOA immigration correspondent Aline Barros reports on how the U.S. military may be involved in those plans.

Georgia, Moldova and Romania held crucial elections against backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

'There is no Iranian ship … launching drones towards the United States,' Pentagon spokesperson says

No pardons for those who tortured or killed Syrians, rebel leader says

The sanctions target Russia’s shadow fleet of ships

A magistrate had ruled earlier that Asif Rahman, 34, of Vienna, Virginia, could be free on restrictions while he awaited trial on charges of disclosing national defense information

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.