Madeleine Albright, the former secretary of state, is worried about democracy. Albright’s next book, “Fascism,” is a warning that democratic governments are “fragile” and the United States under President Donald Trump is enduring its own crisis. “The author examines the economic, religious, racial, and cultural factors that are …
your ad hereViolence Warned Over US Dropping Conflict Minerals Rule
Increased violence and corruption in central Africa could be the result of the recent decision by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission not to enforce a rule requiring American companies to report their use of conflict minerals, warn Congolese civic groups, rights groups and U.S. senators. “The conflict minerals rule …
your ad hereUN Report: Global Investment on Bumpy Road to Recovery
A U.N. report issued Wednesday expects foreign direct investment to rise 5 percent this year to nearly $1.8 trillion, and it sees modest increases in such investment continuing into 2018. Foreign direct investment, or FDI — investment made by a company or person in one country in business interests of …
your ad hereExisting Climate Efforts Expected to Keep US Goals on Track
The momentum of climate change efforts and the affordability of cleaner fuels will keep the United States moving toward its goals of cutting emissions despite the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris global accord, business and government leaders in a growing alliance said. New York, California and 11 other states …
your ad hereFacebook to Provide Data Maps to Help Agencies After Natural Disasters
Facebook is working with three global relief organizations to provide disaster maps — close to real-time data about where people are, where they are moving, and whether they are in danger in the hours and days after a flood, fire or earthquake. The social networking giant — with nearly 2 …
your ad hereRyan Won’t Commit to Treasury Timetable for Debt Increase
House Speaker Paul Ryan said Wednesday that he won’t commit to holding a vote to increase the government’s borrowing authority this summer. The Wisconsin Republican instead says the House will vote on such debt legislation before the government defaults — but not necessarily by an August deadline requested last month by …
your ad hereFriendship Found to Top Family for Health and Happiness
A strong network of friends and family has long been seen as a key component of happiness, but a new study suggests friends may be more important than family. Researchers at Michigan State University also found the importance of friendship on health and happiness grows as people get older. “Friendships …
your ad hereCosby’s Chief Accuser Denies Romance Before Alleged Assault
Bill Cosby’s chief accuser on Wednesday denied they had a romantic relationship before he allegedly drugged and assaulted her at his suburban Philadelphia home. The defense resumed its cross-examination of Andrea Constand one day after she broke her long public silence about Cosby by testifying that the comedian gave her …
your ad hereLuxury Hotels Arrive in Cuba Despite Fears Trump May Hurt Tourism Boom
Towering cranes dot the Havana skyline as communist-run Cuba races to build luxury hotels, amid indignation among some residents and concern that U.S. President Donald Trump might reverse a detente that fueled the tourist boom. Swiss-based Kempinski Hotels S.A. will inaugurate its Gran Hotel Manzana in the heart of the …
your ad hereElvis Presley’s Graceland Estate Opened to Public on This Day in ’82
As a child growing up poor in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis Presley promised his parents that one day he would earn a lot of money and use it to buy the family a big house. He made good on that promise in 1957, when he bought Graceland for $102,500 in Memphis, Tennessee. …
your ad hereGraceland: Elvis Presley’s Lavish Mansion Opened to Public
Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists walk through Presley’s mansion, bought for $102,500.00 in 1957 …
your ad hereWorld Economy Seen Picking Up, But Political Uncertainty a Risk
A global watchdog says the world economy is picking up speed but faces big political uncertainties and needs to be reformed to make growth work for a broader swath of people. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says in its latest outlook report, published Wednesday, that world growth should …
your ad hereApp Improves Quality of Life, Survival for Cancer Patients
Cancer patients are being urged to speak up about their experiences with side-effects from chemotherapy. This, following a new study that shows reporting symptoms can improve their chances of survival. Faith Lapidus reports. …
your ad hereClimate Change Puts Penguins at Risk
The United Nations Ocean Conference opens next week in New York and is to call for action to help protect marine life from the threats of global warming, over-fishing and pollution. But in some cases, climate change is already affecting some of the ocean’s iconic species. VOA’s Kevin Enochs reports. …
your ad hereTrump Chooses Regional Banker as Key Regulator of US Banks
President Donald Trump has chosen a regional banker as his nominee for a key government position in bank regulation. Trump announced late Monday he is naming Joseph Otting as comptroller of the currency, heading a Treasury Department agency that is the chief overseer for federally chartered banks. If confirmed …
your ad hereChuck Berry’s Final Album Made on His Own Terms
Chuck Berry did things his own way, right up to his final album, a 10-song set nearly four decades in the making. The St. Louis native widely hailed as the father of rock ‘n’ roll announced plans for the album “CHUCK” in October on his 90th birthday. The music …
your ad hereAP Explains: House Republicans Take Aim at Financial Regulations
A decade ago, the first inklings of the coming recession emerged as a housing bubble fueled by scant regulation, low interest rates and easy credit gradually began to crater and soon would take the rest of the economy along for the painful ride. By the time the Great Recession ended …
your ad hereNew National WWII Museum Exhibit Looks at Fight on Homefront
A rusted fragment of the battleship USS Arizona sunk at Pearl Harbor, a woman’s munitions plant uniform and ration books all tell the complex story of life on the homefront in a new exhibit at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. “Salute to the Home Front,” which …
your ad hereIs ‘Wonder Woman’ a Break Away From Hollywood Sexism?
With Wonder Woman blazing a trail at theaters across the United States, the female superhero is being hailed as a powerful new role model for girls and a break away from sexism in Hollywood. The film, starring Israeli actress Gal Gadot, smashed box-office records on its opening weekend, raking in …
your ad hereStudy Finds Pregnancy Seems Safe for Breast Cancer Survivors
A study gives reassuring news for breast cancer survivors who want to have children. Those who later became pregnant were no more likely to have their cancer come back than those who did not have a baby. It’s a big issue — the average age of moms has been rising …
your ad hereEven Moderate Drinking Linked to Changes in Brain Structure, Study Finds
Drinking even moderate amounts of alcohol is linked to changes in brain structure and an increased risk of worsening brain function, scientists said Tuesday. In a 30-year study that looked at the brains of 550 middle-aged heavy drinkers, moderate drinkers and teetotalers, the researchers found people who drank more alcohol …
your ad hereWHO Ranks Antibiotics in Bid to Counter Drug Resistance
The World Health Organization published a new classification of antibiotics Tuesday that aims to fight drug resistance, with penicillin-type drugs recommended as the first line of defense and others for use only when absolutely necessary. The new “essential medicines list” includes 39 antibiotics for 21 common syndromes, categorized into three …
your ad hereUN Chief Warns of Serious Clean Water Shortages by 2050
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Tuesday that by 2050 global demand for fresh water is projected to grow by more than 40 percent and at least a quarter of the world’s population will live in countries with a “chronic or recurrent” lack of clean water. He told the Security Council …
your ad hereMore US Drug Deaths in 2016 Than Ever Before
Drug deaths in the U.S. rose at the steepest rate ever to the highest level in recorded history in 2016, claiming more than 60,000 lives, and early data suggest deaths from opioids and other drugs will continue to increase in 2017. Drug overdose is now the leading cause of death …
your ad hereUS, Mexico Reach Sugar Pact Without Backing from US Producers
The U.S. and Mexican governments reached a new agreement to significantly shift their sugar trade mix, but U.S. sugar producers have failed to endorse the deal, leaving question marks over whether it could still sour broader trade relations. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the “agreement in principle” with Mexican …
your ad here