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
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says implementing the international nuclear deal with Iran will make the world safer, improve the standard of living for Iranians and potentially open up other opportunities between the United States and Iran. In an interview with VOA’s Persian service, Kerry said he hopes proponents will successfully persuade people that […]readmore
The United States and Cuba restored full diplomatic relations just after 12 a.m. Monday after more than five decades of hostility. A few hours later in the pre-dawn quiet, the red, white and blue Cuban flag was hoisted at the U.S. State Department, alongside the flags of the other countries that have diplomatic relations with […]readmore
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the issue of four Americans still detained in Iran was brought up by the U.S. side during every meeting at the recent Iran nuclear talks in Vienna. «There was not a meeting that took place… where we did not raise the issue of our American citizens being held,» […]readmore
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation is trying to determine the motive of the gunman who opened fire on two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee Thursday, killing four U.S. Marines. The FBI’s Ed Reinhold said in a late night news conference that there is «nothing now» that ties the shooter, identified as Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, […]readmore