Twenty-two-year-old Meta Josten from the Democratic Republic of Congo was already living a hard life in one of Uganda’s refugee settlements. When the Ugandan government announced measures last year to control the spread of COVID-19, life got even harder.With little or no work available to locals, Josten, who previously survived …
your ad hereSouth Korea Seeks Tax Cuts, Incentives for US Investment
South Korea requested from the United States incentives such as tax deductions and infrastructure construction to ease the U.S. investment of Korean firms, including leading chipmaker Samsung Electronics, its presidential office said Friday.South Korean President Moon Jae-in, in Washington for a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, told a gathering …
your ad hereIOC VP: Tokyo Olympics to Go Ahead Even if State of Emergency
The IOC vice president in charge of the postponed Tokyo Olympics said Friday the games would open in just over two months even if the city and other parts of Japan were under a state of emergency because of rising COVID-19 cases. John Coates, speaking from Australia in a …
your ad hereBBC, Journalist Bashir Criticized Over 1995 Princess Diana Interview
An inquiry into how the BBC secured the 1995 interview with Britain’s Princess Diana in which she disclosed intimate details of her failed marriage concluded on Thursday that the journalist involved had acted deceitfully. The BBC set up the investigation, headed by former senior Court judge John Dyson, in November following …
your ad hereIvory Coast Strives to Save Architectural Treasures in Former Colonial Capital
The Ivory Coast resort town of Grand-Bassam is known for its beaches and French colonial architecture. Recent flooding and the passage of time have taken a toll on the city’s historic buildings, but some people are determined to fix things, as Yassin Ciyow found in this report narrated by Carol …
your ad hereHackers Targeted Solarwinds Earlier than Previously Known
The hackers who carried out the massive SolarWinds intrusion were in the software company’s system as early as January 2019, months earlier than previously known, the company’s top official said Wednesday. SolarWinds had previously traced the origins of the hack to the fall of 2019 but now believes that hackers were …
your ad hereStar Charles Grodin, of ‘Midnight Run,’ ‘Heartbreak Kid’ Fame, Dies
Charles Grodin, the droll, offbeat actor and writer who scored as a caddish newlywed in “The Heartbreak Kid” and later had roles ranging from Robert De Niro’s counterpart in the comic thriller “Midnight Run” to the bedeviled father in the “Beethoven” comedies, has died. He was 86. Grodin died Tuesday in …
your ad hereGlasses, Rings, Clothing That Monitor Your Health, Coming in Near Future
From earbuds that measure blood pressure to clothing that monitors your heart rate, the latest in health monitoring technology is being included in everyday items such as clothes, rings and glasses. VOA’s Elizabeth Lee has the details. Camera: Elizabeth Lee Producer: Elizabeth Lee …
your ad hereEurovision Song Contest is Back, Ready to Defy the Pandemic
Pounding beats? Check. Uplifting lyrics? Check. Huge, backlit white wings? Check. After last year’s Eurovision Song Contest was canceled amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, it is roaring back to life this year with coronavirus bubbles added to its heady mix of music and melodrama. National delegations traveling to the Dutch port city …
your ad hereRombauer Scores Upset in Preakness Stakes
Rombauer romped to an 11-1 upset victory Saturday in the Preakness, denying Bob Baffert-trained Kentucky Derby winner Medina Sprint the chance at a Triple Crown that would have come with a giant asterisk.Medina Spirit finished third in the 1 3/16-mile race and was passed for the first time in his …
your ad hereBroadcaster Conover Remembered as Jazz Ambassador
May 17 marks the 25th anniversary of the death of Willis Conover, the Voice of America broadcaster who helped popularize American jazz worldwide. Mike O’Sullivan looks back on his career and global impact on music and diplomacy.Producer (opening segment): Jimi Cook. …
your ad hereIrish Health Service Hit by ‘Very Sophisticated’ Ransomware Attack
Ireland’s health service operator shut down all its IT systems Friday to protect them from a ransomware attack, which crippled diagnostic services and disrupted COVID-19 testing.An international cybercrime gang was behind the attack, said Ossian Smyth, Ireland’s minister responsible for e-government. Smyth described it as possibly the most significant cybercrime attempt …
your ad hereFacebook Faces Prospect of ‘Devastating’ Data Transfer Ban After Irish Ruling
Ireland’s data regulator can resume a probe that may trigger a ban on Facebook’s transatlantic data transfers, the High Court ruled Friday, raising the prospect of a stoppage the company warns would have a devastating impact on its business. The case stems from EU concerns that U.S. government surveillance …
your ad hereAfrica Hits the Court with Professional Basketball League Debut
Twenty-six games, writing a major chapter of African sports history. That’s the narrative of the inaugural season of the new Basketball Africa League, an offshoot of the U.S. National Basketball Association. The action tips off Sunday, in Rwanda’s capital. Basketball is not currently the continent’s favorite …
your ad hereFully Vaccinated Americans Can Go Maskless, CDC Says
U.S. health officials said Thursday that people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus can go maskless and stop maintaining social distancing in most social settings. Folks, if you’re fully vaccinated — you no longer need to wear a mask.If you’re not vaccinated yet — go to Taisei Kikuchi performs in the park competition during a test event set in preparation …
your ad hereBeset by Virus, Gaza’s Hospitals Now Struggle with Wounded
Just weeks ago, the Gaza Strip’s feeble health system was struggling with a runaway surge of coronavirus cases. Authorities cleared out hospital operating rooms, suspended nonessential care and redeployed doctors to patients having difficulty breathing.Then, the bombs began to fall.This week’s violence between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers has killed …
your ad hereMisinformation Surges Amid India’s COVID-19 Calamity
The man in the WhatsApp video says he has seen it work himself: A few drops of lemon juice in the nose will cure COVID-19.”If you practice what I am about to say with faith, you will be free of corona in five seconds,” says the man, dressed in traditional …
your ad hereCDC Says Vaccinated People Can Go Back to Normal Life
Health officials are recommending lifting most COVID-19 restrictions for people who are fully vaccinated.That means no more masks or social distancing, indoors or outdoors, according to updated guidance from the U.S. FILE – Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testifies on Capitol Hill in …
your ad hereTop US Squash Player Trains for Major Tournaments, While Fasting
A Pakistani immigrant who is now an American citizen is working hard to bring glory to U.S. professional squash in upcoming tournaments. Training was especially hard for Shahjahan Khan during Ramadan, as Saba Shah Khan reports.Producer: Saba Shah Khan. Camera: Matt Dibble, Qazafi Babar. …
your ad hereThis Week in Space: NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter Hums Above Mars’ Surface
NASA shares the sound of its Mars helicopter. Plus, space debris triggers a verbal sparring match, and an asteroid sample is heading to Earth. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi has This Week in Space.Producer: Arash Arabasadi. …
your ad hereMillions of African Muslims Mark Eid Holiday Amid Uncertain Times
Eid al-Fitr is a special time of year for nearly half of Africa’s population, who are adherents of Islam. But this year’s celebration is different amid a continuing pandemic and the devastation it has caused across the continent. VOA’s Anita Powell reports from Johannesburg.Camera: Zaheer Cassim, Amos Wangwa Produced by: …
your ad hereExplainer: How COVID-19 Vaccines Will Work for Kids in US
Children ages 12 and older can now roll up their sleeves for COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S., offering parents and schools a chance to relax their pandemic precautions and bringing the country a step closer to controlling the virus. A government advisory committee recommended Pfizer’s vaccine for children 12 …
your ad hereChampions League Final Moved from Istanbul to Porto Due to COVID-19 Risks
The Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea on May 29 has been moved from Istanbul to Porto to allow English fans to travel under COVID-19 restrictions, European soccer’s governing body UEFA said on Thursday. The final was scheduled for Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium, but Turkey was last week …
your ad hereVirus Stifles Muslims’ Eid al-Fitr Celebrations for 2nd Year
Muslims celebrated Eid al-Fitr in a subdued mood for a second year Thursday as the COVID-19 pandemic again forced mosque closings and family separations on the holiday marking the end of Islam’s holiest month of Ramadan.Worshippers wearing masks joined communal prayers in the streets of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. The world’s …
your ad hereWashington Entices Locals and Visitors to Get Immunized with Free Perks
Washington plans to lift many coronavirus restrictions and aims for a full reopening by mid-June. The U.S. capital has already vaccinated more than 70% of its residents. Saqib Ul Islam reports on a unique vaccine drive in the city. Camera: Saqib Ul Islam Producer: Saqib Ul Islam …
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