VOA News A local court clerk in the central state of Kentucky continues to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples, despite a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court ordering her to do so. Local media reports that the office of Kim Davis, the elected court clerk in Kentucky’s Rowan County, refused licenses to two […]readmore
VOA News U.S. President Barack Obama is set to participate in a live webcast Friday to address concerns from the American Jewish community about the nuclear agreement with Iran. Obama will deliver remarks about the disputed deal signed by the United States, Iran and five world powers and take questions from participants. The webcast is […]readmore
VOA News A teenager in the U.S. state of Virginia has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for conspiring to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State group. A U.S. Justice Department statement Friday described 17-year-old Ali Shukri Amin as «a young American who used social media to provide material support» to […]readmore
VOA News Former U.S. president George W. Bush returned Friday to New Orleans – the scene of one of his presidency’s larger challenges – to tout the region’s recovery from the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history on the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Bush visited Warren Easton Charter High School, the same school he […]readmore
CHARLESTON, S.C.—The man accused of slaying nine parishioners as they worshipped at a South Carolina church was expected in court Friday to face dozens of federal charges, including hate crimes and obstructing the practice of religion. Dylann Roof, 21, was scheduled to be arraigned in Charleston. The hearing, which was expected to be brief and […]readmore
The White House said the US president , Barack Obama , will oppose any measure the US Congress to withdraw funds to Planned Parenthood, a clinic that performs abortions in this country. Republican lawmakers threatened to withhold federal funding to this non-profit organization, after a group that oppose abortions published a video suggesting that the […]readmore
WASHINGTON—The U.S. economy advanced a solid 2.3 percent in the April-to-June period after a harsh winter. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that a surge in consumer spending and new export gains pushed the world’s largest economy ahead in the second quarter. The government also said GDP in the January-March period grew 0.6 percent instead of […]readmore
The White House confirmed Wednesday that the administration was in the «final stages» of drafting a plan to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama made the closure of the controversial offshore prison a priority when he took office in 2009, but the plan has faced numerous setbacks, including Congress’ […]readmore
CENTENNIAL, COLORADO—Jurors deciding whether Colorado movie massacre gunman James Holmes should be executed began the punishment phase of his trial on Wednesday, considering aggravating factors, including his murder of a six-year-old girl. «She had four separate gunshot wounds to her little body,» prosecutor Rich Orman told the jury, referring to Veronica Moser-Sullivan, the youngest victim […]readmore
HEMPSTEAD, TEXAS —When Sandra Bland refused to put out her cigarette, the police officer flung open her car door and tried dragging her out of the vehicle. She asked at least four times why she was being arrested and got no answer. When she told him she had epilepsy, he shouted, «Good!» The tense dashcam […]readmore