Coronavirus: US reports first case of omicron variant

VOA — The first confirmed case of the new omicron coronavirus variant has been detected in the United States. It was discovered in California. Read more »

Omicron Variant Was in Western Europe Days Before First Identified in Southern Africa

VOA — New evidence has revealed that the omicron variant of the coronavirus was already present in western Europe well before the first cases were officially identified in southern Africa. Read more »

Talks on Iran Nuclear Deal Resuming in Vienna

VOA — Talks about reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal resumed Monday in Vienna after a five-month break and for the first time since a new president took office in Iran. Like... Read more »

Iranian Security Forces Arrest Dozens of Protesters in Isfahan Area, Disrupt Internet Service Across Country

VOA — CAIRO, EGYPT — Scattered internet outages and slowdowns were reported across Iran Saturday, as the government cracked down on water protests in Isfahan this past week. Dozens of protesters in... Read more »

Iran Forces Fire on Water Protesters in Most Violent Crackdown Since July

VOA — WASHINGTON — Iranian security forces appear to have fired tear gas and pellet guns at protesters in the central city of Isfahan in what activists say is the most violent... Read more »

US Jobless Benefit Claims Drop to 52-year Low

VOA — WASHINGTON — First-time claims for U.S. unemployment compensation dropped sharply last week to a 52-year low, easily falling below the figure recorded at the start of the coronavirus pandemic that... Read more »

UN watchdog calls for more access to Iran nuclear sites ahead of new talks

DW — IAEA boss Rafael Grossi has called on officials in Tehran to grant access to surveillance footage at nuclear sites. Grossi's third visit since February is meant to pave the way... Read more »

After Promise, Musk Sells $1.1 Billion in Tesla Shares to Pay Taxes

VOA — DETROIT — After making a promise on Twitter, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has sold about 900,000 shares of the electric car maker’s stock, netting over $1.1 billion that will go... Read more »

Iranian Revolutionary Guards Claim Seized Oil Tanker Smuggling Diesel

VOA — CAIRO — Arab media is reporting that Iranian gunboats stopped an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf Saturday and detained all 11 crew members. Iran’s state-run Fars News Agency said... Read more »

World Central Banks Under Fire as Cost of Living Surges

VOA — For weeks, governments and policymakers across the world have been suggesting the recent spikes in consumer and energy prices are transitory and rising inflation will ease, once pandemic-related chain-supply disruptions... Read more »