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In the Ajo system, participants make cash contributions to a money holder as part of a savings program; each participant then gets a periodic lump sum for business needs

The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is reopening Saturday evening, more than five years after a fire destroyed its roof and spire. An invitation-only ceremony will include heads of state and government, with French President Emmanuel Macron delivering a speech before Archbishop Laurent Ulrich formally reopens its doors.

TikTok edged closer to being banned in the United States after it lost an appeal on Friday against a law requiring the video-sharing app to divest from its Chinese parent company by January 19. UN talks on plastic pollution concluded in Busan, South Korea Monday without reaching an agreement. This was supposed to be the fifth and final round to produce the first legally binding treaty to tackle the exponential problem by the end of 2024.

Shane Lamond is charged with one count of obstruction of justice and three counts of making false statements

Six opposition activists who have taken refuge in the Argentine Embassy in Venezuela have spent 13 days without electricity or drinking water since security forces cut off their access. See the full story here.           

Analysts evaluated the results of the Inter-American Press Association's Chapultepec Index 2024 and emphasized the deterioration of freedom of the press and expression in Peru and the seriousness of the situation for journalists and citizens in Venezuela. See the full story here.

Haitian historian Michel Soukar says the "Bwa Kale" anti-gang movement is the citizens' homemade defense solution. Citing rampant corruption among the national police force and ruthless violence against the civilian population, Soukar said the Bwa Kale movement is a means for the Haitian population to defend itself as best it can against bandits. Soukar says Haitians understand they are alone in this fight so "the people defend themselves however they see fit.” See the full story here.

The Iranian government is significantly increasing its stockpiles of uranium enriched to 60% purity, Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said in an interview with Reuters. His remarks are expected to increase global concerns about the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. See the full story here.

Sanctions allege permit violations and emissions of pollutants liked to respiratory issues, climate change

Amid opposition to the "Hijab and Chastity" law, more than 140 Iranian journalists have issued a statement warning that this law represents a "widespread violation of the citizens' fundamental rights," including their social rights, privacy and basic freedoms. See the full story here.

The U.S. space agency, NASA, is leading an effort to return astronauts to the surface of the moon and establish a routine presence on the lunar surface. As VOA’s Kane Farabaugh reports, NASA says it will push the next mission of its Artemis program from late 2025 to early 2026.

As the Chinese economy slows down and the job market becomes more competitive, tens of thousands of young Chinese are resorting to money-saving challenges and sharing their frugal feats on social media. Some youths participating in money-saving trends limit monthly food expenses to no more than $70, or around 500 yuan. See the full story here.

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen David Perdue, a former Republican U.S. senator, to become U.S. ambassador to China. Perdue's  stance on China has attracted significant attention in Chinese public opinion. On Chinese social media, Perdue is often referred to as "anti-China and pro-Taiwan." However, some experts express doubts about this and believe that Perdue, if stationed in China, will play the role of the "good cop."   See the full story here.

The former US Marine, who was taken in Syria more than 12 years ago, is the last American journalist held overseas

Angolans hope Biden's visit delivers on promises of investment, better infrastructure, and improved lives through the Lobito Corridor project

No reason was given for dismissal of Tambela, who was appointed interim premier soon after military leader Ibrahim Traore seized power in September 2022

After capturing the Syrian city of Aleppo, which has significant Kurdish and Christian populations, HTS reassured minority groups they would be protected under its rule 

In an interview with VOA’s Ukrainian Service, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko discussed the war with Russia and his vision for achieving peace

TikTok edged closer to being banned in the United States after losing an appeal on Friday against a law requiring the video-sharing app to divest from its Chinese parent company by January 19. The potential ban could strain US-China relations just as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20. TikTok said it would now appeal to the Supreme Court, which could choose to take up the case or let the DC circuit court's decision stand. We spoke with Seth Schachner, Managing...