US Eyes Deal to Free American in Iran, Pushes Back on Swap

VOA — WASHINGTON – U.S. officials believe they’re making progress in efforts to secure the release from Iran of a detained Navy veteran, but they are pushing back on Iranian suggestions that... Read more »

33.5 Million US Workers Have Now Filed for Jobless Compensation

VOA — The pace of claims for unemployment compensation slowed marginally in the U.S. last week, but another 3.2 million still filed for the benefits as the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak... Read more »

Day Laborers Feel Pandemic Pain as Jobs Dry Up

VOA — BERKELEY, CALIF. – Before the coronavirus pandemic began, Julio Castro’s days began at 6:30 a.m. with a long walk to the parking lot of a Home Depot, hoping someone would... Read more »

Facebook Says It Dismantles Disinformation Network Tied to Iran’s State Media

VOA — LONDON/SAN FRANCISCO – Iran’s state broadcaster has used hundreds of fake social media accounts to covertly spread pro-Iranian messaging online since at least 2011, targeting voters in countries including Britain... Read more »

Whitmer Says ‘Racism’ Fueled Protests Over Virus Response

VOA — LANSING, MICHIGAN – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Sunday said gun-toting protesters who demonstrated inside the state Capitol in opposition to some of her moves to battle the coronavirus “depicted... Read more »

Coronavirus: US to Borrow Record $3tn as Spending Soars

BBC — The US has said it wants to borrow a record $3tn (£2.4tn) in the second quarter, as coronavirus-related rescue packages blow up the budget. The sum is more than five... Read more »

Buy Arms When UN Embargo Ends

VOA – WASHINGTON – The United States will not allow Iran to purchase conventional arms after a U.N. prohibition on this expires in October, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on... Read more »

Iran Arrests Editor, Journalist Over Cartoon Mocking Khamenei

VOA – The editor in chief and a social-media administrator of Iran’s semiofficial ILNA news agency were detained last week over a cartoon deemed insulting to the country’s leadership. The cartoon, which... Read more »

Iran Silent on 12 Iranians Detained by US Despite Pledge to Swap Prisoners Again

VOA – WASHINGTON – Iran appears to have shown little public or private support for 12 Iranians accused or convicted of crimes in the U.S., despite pledging to work for the release... Read more »

Rampant Rumors But Few Facts About Kim Jong Un’s Health

VOA – SEOUL – Where is North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and why has he been absent from public view for more than two weeks? It’s the question everyone seems to... Read more »