U.S. stocks, the dollar, and government bonds were down in Wednesday’s trading amid investor worries about controversial actions and comments from President Donald Trump. The major U.S. stock indexes fell 1.8 percent or more, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was off 372 points. The faltering markets follow Trump’s firing …
your ad here‘Sea Monster’ Carcass Identified
Scientists say they have identified the “sea monster” that washed ashore on an Indonesian beach. The badly decomposing carcass measures over 15 meters long and baffled scientists since it washed up on Seram Island last week. Marine biologists now believe the carcass is a dead baleen whale, largely because of …
your ad hereRadical Burmese Buddhist Monk Is Subject of Documentary at Cannes Film Festival
Ashin Wirathu, the Burmese Buddhist monk known for whipping up anti-Muslim sentiment in Myanmar, is the subject of a new documentary airing at France’s renowned Cannes Film Festival, which starts Wednesday. By filmmaker Barbet Schroeder, “The Venerable W” will appear in a special screening at one of the most prestigious …
your ad here70th Cannes Film Festival Opens Amid Heavy Security
The 70th Cannes Film Festival is opening Wednesday under sunny Cote d’Azur skies, heavy security and widespread unease in the movie industry. Security was greater than ever at the French festival, with stepped up efforts to restrict access and even an anti-drone system. France remains under a state of …
your ad hereRussia’s Controversial Eurovision Entry Spotlights Disabled
This year’s Eurovision song contest, hosted in Kyiv, saw Portugal crowned the winner. But Russian officials cried foul even before the competition, as Ukraine banned their last-minute entry of contestant Yulia Samoylova, a singer who is disabled and uses a wheelchair. “We were all very much surprised,” says chairwoman of …
your ad hereGroup Behind Leak of Tools Used in Ransomware Attack Says Ready to Sell More Code
The hacker group behind the leak of cyber spying tools from the U.S. National Security Agency, which were used in last week’s “ransomware” cyberattack, says it has more code that it plans to start selling through a subscription service launching next month. The group known as Shadow Brokers posted a …
your ad hereArtist Carries on the Ancient Tradition of Handmade Korean Paper
Once renowned in Asia for its durability and versatility, traditional Korean paper called Hanji is now produced only in a handful of rural paper mills. But Korean-American artist Aimee Lee is dedicated to carrying on the 2,000-year old tradition through her artwork and teaching. And some of the artwork she …
your ad hereNeed a Skateboard? Print it Out!
Motorized skateboards are a simple and affordable form of personal transportation while advanced battery technology considerably extended their range. Now a startup company in Germany offers a skateboard that is almost entirely printed in plastic and has wireless speed control. VOA’s George Putic reports. …
your ad hereMexico Expects NAFTA Talks by Late August, Its Economy Minister Says
Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said Tuesday that he expected U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to tell Congress early next week of plans to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, a move that would produce talks by late August. Guajardo said he would have more information after meeting with …
your ad hereHackers Mint Crypto-currency with Technique in Global ‘Ransomware’ Attack
A computer virus that exploits the same vulnerability as the global “ransomware” attack has latched on to more than 200,000 computers and begun manufacturing digital currency, experts said Tuesday. The development adds to the dangers exposed by the WannaCry ransomware and provides another piece of evidence that a North Korea-linked …
your ad hereYear-round Flu Vaccination May Prevent Hospitalization of Pregnant Women
Pregnant women who come down with the flu are at greater risk of illness requiring hospitalization. A new study found that in resource-poor countries, flu vaccination reduced the risk of illness to mother and baby. An estimated 40 percent of the world’s population lives in subtropical and tropical zones, …
your ad hereDavid Letterman to Receive Nation’s Top Prize for Comedy
Longtime late-night host David Letterman has been honored with the nation’s top prize for comedy. The Kennedy Center announced Tuesday that the 70-year-old Letterman is this year’s recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He is the 20th humorist to receive the annual prize, which began in 1998. …
your ad hereJimmy Kimmel Set to Return as Host for 90th Oscars
Despite his jokes that he’ll never get asked back, Jimmy Kimmel is set to host the Oscars once more. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Tuesday said Kimmel will return for the 90th Oscars with producers Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd, the team behind this year’s …
your ad hereJapan’s Princess Mako to Get Married, Report Says
Princess Mako, the granddaughter of Japan’s emperor, is getting married to an ocean lover who can ski, play the violin and cook, according to public broadcaster NHK TV. The Imperial Household Agency declined to confirm the report Tuesday. Kei Komuro, the man who won the princess’ heart, was a fellow …
your ad hereCosby Says He Doesn’t Expect to Testify at Sex Assault Trial
Bill Cosby says he doesn’t expect to testify at his Pennsylvania sexual assault trial. The comedian spoke to Sirius radio host Michael Smerconish in an interview being broadcast Tuesday. Smerconish says he agreed to air an uncut, 82-minute conversation between Cosby and his daughters in exchange for the …
your ad hereThailand Backs Off Threat to Block Facebook Over Content
Thailand backed off a threat to block Facebook on Tuesday, instead providing the social media site with court orders to remove content that the government deems illegal. Thailand made the threat last week as it wanted Facebook to block more than 130 posts it considers a threat to national security …
your ad hereCholera Outbreak Compounds Hunger Crisis in Southern Somalia
A regional drought has displaced more than half a million people in Somalia and left the country at risk of famine. A cholera outbreak is further complicating relief efforts, in particular in the southern part of the country where some villages remain under al-Shabab control. Bay Regional Hospital, the biggest …
your ad hereInstagram Launches Snapchat-like Filters
Get ready for more rabbit ears, dog noses and funny hats to show up in your Facebook feed. Facebook’s Instagram service is launching face filters in an effort to keep up with rival, Snap Inc.’s Snapchat. “From math equations swirling around your head to furry koala ears that move and …
your ad hereBon Jovi Surprises Grads, Guests with Commencement Show
The rock band Bon Jovi surprised graduates and guests at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s commencement exercises Tuesday by putting on an impromptu performance. Fairleigh Dickinson won a nationwide contest to bring the New Jersey-based band to play their graduation by generating the most interest on social media. Jon Bon …
your ad hereGreek Seamen Extend Strike; No Ferries for 4 Days
Greek seamen and journalists walked off the job Tuesday, a day before a nationwide general strike to protest new austerity measures the government is legislating for in return for more bailout funds. The seamen’s union announced Tuesday afternoon they would extend their strike, originally planned to last 48 hours, for …
your ad hereUninhabited Island has ‘World’s Worst’ Plastic Pollution
The beaches on a remote, uninhabited island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean have the highest amount of plastic debris in the world. Researchers from the University of Tasmania say Henderson Island, which is more than 5,000 kilometer from any major population center, is strewn with roughly 37.7 million …
your ad hereUS Industrial Production Posts Biggest Gain Since 2014
American industry expanded production last month at the fastest pace in more than three years as manufacturers and mines recovered from a March downturn. The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that industrial production at U.S. factories, mines and utilities shot up 1 percent in April from March, biggest gain since …
your ad hereUS-China Trade Deal Brings Mixed Reaction
The new U.S.-China trade deal, which includes 10 initial agreements on agricultural trade, financial services, investment and energy, is drawing mixed reviews. The agreement is being panned by some as a poor deal for the United States that does not address fundamental issues concerning the Chinese market. But others say …
your ad hereUS Military Taps into Innovations in Startup Tech World
Recently, one of the largest computer hacks of its kind hit companies and governments around the world. It is an example of the challenges in digital security and keeping ahead of technology. The U.S. military has developed a way to tap into the innovation and speed unique to Silicon Valley …
your ad hereSolar Power Gains Popularity in Africa
It looks like the time has finally come for residents across Africa to start using their most abundant natural power source. While building power plants and transmission lines takes years and costs much more, installing solar panels is quicker and more affordable for individual home owners, businesses and farmers. VOA’s …
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